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40 Taco Recipes To Turn Every Occasion Into A Party

Make it Taco Tuesday, every day.

By and Mo Goldstein
seasoned and seared shrimp topped with crisp cabbage slaw and creamy pickled jalapeno crema on a toasted corn tortillapinterest
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Is there anything more delicious than a crisp, warm tortilla filled with your favorite, hot, dripping, flavorful protein? We don't think so. Whether it’s Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or just another weeknight, tacos show up on our kitchen table a LOT. What can we say? It's just FACTS that wrapping almost anything in a corn or flour tortilla can turn it into a killer meal. Bonus: They're usually super-simple, quick to make, and easy to customize, i.e., perfect for family-friendly dinners, parties, and more. Check out our favorite taco recipes for ideas, then start thinking about all the ways you can top them (our must-haves? Pickled red onions and guac).

We’ve got all the most popular standards here, including basic recipes for shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, and pork tacos. You could just use whatever leftovers you got and put them in a warmed tortilla (it’s one of our favorite crazy simple lunches), but if you want something to really wow your taste buds, you’ve got to add more flavor to your meat. Taco seasoning is an obvious pick (get store-bought or make your own), but we’re talking even wilder than that. Our beef birria quesatacos rely on three different types of chiles and spices (like sweet cinnamon—trust us, it works!) to get their flavor. Our tequila-lime chicken tacos go a little brighter by relying on a margarita for their flavor inspiration. Or try our duck carnitas tacos with salsa macha that are piled high with savory duck confit, and a traditional-inspired salsa full of aromatic spices.

Don’t worry, it’s not just meat on this list. We’ve also included a few of our favorite vegan and vegetarian options here too, like our cauliflower tacos, our chipotle lentil tacos, or our crispy sheet-pan black bean tacos. They’ve got SO much flavor, you'll be making them long beyond Meatless Monday. While we’re pretty happy to eat tacos for any meal, we’ve also included our specifically breakfast tacos (with eggs, ofc) and our death by chocolate taco, in case you were craving a crunchy dessert.

Speaking of desserts, check out all favorite Mexican-inspired desserts. And you can’t forget the drinks! Get inspired by our list of our favorite Mexican beers and tequila drinks for Cinco de Mayo too.

1

Carnitas

tender roast pork shoulder seasoned with cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, and orange
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This preparation of Mexico’s slow-cooked pulled pork is classic and a bit time consuming, but worth every single second: It’s the ultimate example of the delicious results you can accomplish with low-and-slow cooking. Once made, these crispy, flavorful carnitas will be key to upgrading every taco night, or practically any weeknight dinner.

Get the Carnitas recipe.

2

Cauliflower Tacos

cauliflower tacos topped with cabbage, cilantro, and sour cream sauce beside a bowl of sour cream sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Looking to spice up taco night? Call in the roasted cauliflower. Loaded with crisp cabbage slaw and drizzled with a tangy lime crema, these richly spiced cauliflower tacos promise to shake up your weeknight dinner routine for good.

Get the Cauliflower Tacos recipe.

3

Grilled Chicken Street Tacos

grilled chicken street tacos with cilantro lime crema
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Nothing beats a street taco—super-juicy, tender grilled meat in a quick grab-and-go format, typically made possible by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas. This makes them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere!

Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.

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4

Grilled Portobello Tacos

grilled portobello tacos topped with cabbage slaw, avocado, and queso fresco
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Mushroom lovers alert: Summer taco nights just got upgraded. Featuring portobello mushrooms marinated in taco spices and grilled to perfection, these vegetarian tacos will delight meat-lovers and vegans alike.

Get the Grilled Portobello Tacos recipe.

5

Shrimp Tacos

seasoned and seared shrimp topped with crisp cabbage slaw and creamy pickled jalapeno crema on a toasted corn tortilla
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Shrimp tacos are easy, fast, and the perfect canvas for showcasing all the best parts of the handheld favorite. Pan-seared shrimp get seasoned with homemade taco seasoning and drizzled with lime juice, then piled into a charred corn tortilla with crisp cabbage slaw and topped with jalapeno-garlic crema (a game changer).

Get the Shrimp Tacos recipe.

6

Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos

crispy chipotle chicken tacos
ANDREW BUI

Extra crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these tacos are so much fun to make and eat. Putting cheese directly in your skillet might sound wrong, but it works! Once off heat, the cheese starts to harden and crisps up, giving the texture of a crunchy taco shell, but extra delicious.

Get the Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe.

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7

Chicken Tacos

flour tortillas on a plate filled with chicken, tomatoes, avocado and red onion
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We say the more toppings the merrier. We like our chicken tacos topped with red onion (pickled onions would be great too), avocado, cilantro, and cheese. Pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious, so have fun with it!

Get the Chicken Tacos recipe.

8

Fish Tacos

fish tacos
Parker feierbach

The fish—we use cod, but any flaky variety, like tilapia, works—marinates in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin that will become your standard. But the real gem of this recipe is the bright red cabbage slaw—don't skip it!

Get the Perfect Fish Tacos recipe.

9

Vegan Chipotle Lentil Tacos

vegan chipotle lentil tacos
Emily Hlavac Green

These vegan tacos are loaded with bright flavors and a variety of textures—just like any good taco should be! Serve them up with some frozen margaritas and homemade guacamole for the full Taco Tuesday experience.

Get the Vegan Chipotle Lentil Tacos recipe.

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10

Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos

crispy sheet pan black bean tacos on a sheet pan
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Featuring refried black beans stuffed inside a crunchy corn tortilla, this irresistible cross between a taco and a sheet-pan quesadilla will make any weeknight feel like a celebration. Oh—and did we mention you only need 5 ingredients to get the party started?

Get the Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos recipe.

11

Summer Squash Sheet Pan Tacos

summer squash sheet pan tacos with tahini hummus and pickled shallots
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Put squash, hummus, and pickled shallots in front of us, and we'll make one mean taco. These vegetarian tacos have layers of tender summer squash (imagine them picked right from the garden), whipped garlicky hummus, smoky tahini sauce, and za’atar pickled shallots layered in warm corn tortillas.

Get the Summer Squash Sheet Pan Tacos recipe.

12

Birria Quesatacos

birria quesatacos
LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY

Although birria can be served in countless ways, we love making quesatacos stained red with the fat of the birria and seared until almost crispy. This helps melt the queso oaxaca and create what is essentially a mini quesadilla. What's not to love?

Get the Birria Quesatacos recipe.

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13

Hot Dog Tacos (Tacos De Soto)

corn tortillas filled with hot dogs and cheese
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: MARIANA VELASQUEZ

Never heard of tacos de Soto? The taco de Soto is a fried, crispy taco filled with a sliced hot dog and cheese. While on the surface it seems humble enough, this taco has a cultural significance that is deeply personal for some; for others, it’s a snack with nostalgic memories attached.

Get the Hot Dog Tacos (Tacos De Soto) recipe.

14

Breakfast Tacos

breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs on a flour tortilla
Erik bernstein

A good breakfast taco is a thing of beauty. Not only will these keep you full until lunch, they've also been known to cure a mean hangover. (Hair of the dog, à la a Michelada, anyone?) Pickled red onions aren't necessary, but they do add a nice crunch.

Get the Breakfast Tacos recipe.

15

Fried Fish Tacos

fried fish tacos
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Any firm white fish like tilapia, catfish, cod, or flounder all work beautifully here, so save your $$$ and don't spring for an expensive one. The combination of flour, cornstarch, and cornmeal in the batter results in a crisp but sturdy crust no matter which fish you choose.

Get the Fried Fish Tacos recipe.

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16

Carne Asada Tacos

marinated, grilled skirt steak, piled into a corn tortilla with salsa verde, cilantro, red onion, cotija, and radish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

This flavorful handheld food has it all—tender marinated skirt steak, an aromatic corn tortilla, and all of the classic street taco toppings. Served for lunch or dinner, these are delicious with a hearty side of refried beans and rice, or you can keep it light with corn salad.

Get the Carne Asada Tacos recipe.

17

Duck Carnitas Tacos With Salsa Macha

duck carnitas tacos and salsa macha

In this recipe, the duck legs are cooked low and slow in duck fat, similar to duck confit. A mix of duck fat, aromatic chiles, oranges, and Mexican Coke flavors the meat. Throw together a michelada or margarita to really round out this meal, and enjoy!

Get the Duck Carnitas Tacos With Salsa Macha recipe.

18

Mahi Mahi Tacos

mahi mahi tacos with pineapple slaw
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Being a meaty, tender fish, mahi mahi stands up well to the grill and is even better when marinated. Throw the fish on a tortilla with some spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa, and you'll have an amazing summer taco night.

Get the Mahi Mahi Tacos recipe.

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19

Corned Beef Tacos

corned beef tacos with green cabbage carrots sauerkraut and beer
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Corned beef has taken on new challenges beyond the Reuben. We’ve taken the classic Reuben and repurposed it in nacho and casserole form. Next challenge: a taco, with a melted layer of Swiss and a lightly creamy, acidic, and caraway-forward slaw.

Get the Corned Beef Tacos recipe.

20

Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos

air fryer cauliflower tacos
LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY

To get extra crispy "fried" cauliflower, you gotta use your air fryer. This recipe is basically the vegan version of our favorite fish tacos. The finishing touch? A quick and easy pickled slaw for a bite of freshness and a spicy mayo for a touch of heat.

Get the Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos recipe.

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