There are lots of delicious foods out there, but not many of them can compete with tacos. No offense to pizza, but tacos are the ultimate comfort food. That’s why we have Taco Tuesday, National Taco Day and those random Wednesday nights we celebrate with tacos.
There are a lot of fantastic taquerias from under-the-radar local spots to Instagram-approved foodie sensations. As tempting as it is to order your carne asada from them, it’s also worth it getting your taco fix at home. Whether you’re a hard shell or a soft shell type of person, you prefer a vegan filling or all of the delicious carne, you will find a lot of drool-inducing recipes. And you might just find that homemade tacos taste even better than takeout because you made it yourself. Find out for yourself by trying these 20 taco recipes that will help you up your Mexican food game.
1. Easy Fish Tacos With Lime Crema by Ahead of Thyme
Beef tacos are amazing, but we cannot forget about fish tacos. If you’re intimidated by frying fish, these easy tacos are baked — so no worries. Top them with the slaw and a few dollops of the homemade lime crema. Once you taste the crema, you won’t be going back to plain old sour cream again. You’ve been warned.
2. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos by Evolving Table
These vegetarian tacos will appeal to vegetarians and meat lovers alike thanks to the huge amount of flavor packed into those delicious shells. Black beans and sweet potatoes is an unbeatable combination. Add in some cilantro, cheese and sweet onion and you’ll eat four of these bad boys before you know it. Bonus: They’re also gluten-free.
3. Honey Lime Salmon Tacos by Two Peas And Their Pod
We’re used to seeing white fish in tacos, but salmon? That is something new. It’s worth experimenting with this recipe because the combination of salmon, lime and honey is amazing. Throw it in a taco shell with some cabbage and avocado and things just keep getting better. Even the queso fresco works with the salmon.
4. Blackened Fish Tacos with Avocado Cream Sauce by Foodie Crush
FYI: “Blackened” doesn’t mean burned. It’s actually a mix of spices that produce some seriously moreish fish. You might be tempted to eat the fish as is, but put it in that taco. And don’t forget to top it with some cabbage and avocado. Fish and chips fans will love the surprise addition of the tartar sauce in the recipe.
5. Skinny Baja Chicken Tacos With Spicy Chipotle Sauce by The Live Fit Girls
Add some Baja flavor into your chicken tacos with this easy recipe. Sprouted corn tortillas are loaded with chicken, guacamole, cabbage, carrot and pico de gallo. Then they’re topped with a spicy chipotle sauce. You’ll be so busy enjoying the juicy flavors to remember that this is actually a skinny chicken taco. It’s even gluten-free.
6. Oven-Baked Beef Tacos by Dinner At The Zoo
Are oven-baked beef tacos the most authentic of mexican dishes? Not exactly. Are we complaining about it? Nope. And you won’t be either after you get a mouthful of these. You can treat them like a casserole or you can scoop out a shell and eat it like any other taco. The shells hold up well in the oven.
7. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos by Recipe Tin Treats
Everyone should have a good pork taco in their recipe repertoire. This one is great because it requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Add the meat and spices to the slow cooker and cook until it’s oh-so-tender. The orange and jalapenos tick all of the flavor boxes. Did we mention they’re gluten-free and paleo?
8. Vegan BBQ Cauliflower And Chickpea Tacos by She Likes Food
There are tacos to suit every diet whether you’re a carnivore, vegetarian or vegan. These tacos will actually appeal to all of the above thanks to the yummy flavor combination. Dare we say it, but when you combine chickpeas and cauliflower with the spices, it results in a meaty taste. Even the Veganaise adds to the dish. Try it and you’ll be converted.
9. Tequila Lime Pulled Pork Tacos by Cake n Knife
Let us be honest: Pulled pork is bae. Furthermore, tequila is a Mexican classic. So, why not combine them both together? The result is these mouthwatering tacos. The corn tortillas stuffed with pork, queso fresco, avocado and jalapeno are full of flavor.
10. Korean Beef Tacos by Natasha’s Kitchen
If you cannot resist a good fusion, these are your tacos. They combine the best part of Mexican food and Korean cuisine into one delicious taco shell. The bulgogi steak works well with the purple cabbage, cilantro and avocado. This recipe also tops the beef beauties with “the best taco sauce.” It’s a lot to live up to, but it’s not an exaggeration.
11. Lamb Tacos With Carrot Slaw And Cilantro Pesto by The Charming Detroiter
This is a mashup of flavors that you’re going to fall in love with. Lamb is an unexpected taco filling, but once you try these, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. Same goes with the cilantro pesto. Traditional basil pesto is great, but the refreshing cilantro pesto is amaze, especially when drizzled over the lamb and carrot slaw.
12. Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Tacos by Five Heart Home
Think you’re too busy to make tacos at home? Think again. With a handy slow cooker you can get melt-in-the-mouth barbacoa with minimal effort required. Put the meat in the slow cooker and let it do all the work. Come dinnertime, shred it and fill your taco shells high.
13. Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Tacos by Crazy Vegan Kitchen
If you haven’t discovered jackfruit yet, it’s time you did. This is a delicious vegetarian substitute to meat that will please vegetarians and carnivores. When you add the classic taco spices, you won’t even know you’re eating fruit. The jackfruit can even be shredded like any carnitas.
14. Cinnamon Apple Tacos by Eat Drink Shrink
Dessert tacos? You better believe it. The perfect finish to a taco supper is a dessert taco. You could almost consider this apple cinnamon taco a healthy option. After all, it does have apples in it. Try the sweet tacos in place of a piece of apple pie.
15. Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos By Tasty Thin
Lime and chipotle go together as well as chocolate and peanut butter. The spice from the chipotle is balanced out by the acidity of the lime. Throw in some shredded chicken, lettuce and a soft tortilla and you have yourself a delicious taco. They may only require a few ingredients, but the flavor profile is complex. You won’t be able to eat only one.
16. Mini Fruit Tacos by Sugar Dish Me
How Instagram-worthy are these fruit tacos, you guys? They have rainbow fruit and they’re in an adorable mini size. Make no mistake, they’re not all style and no substance. It’s easy to polish off five of these in one go. The mix of fruit with the crunchy taco and cream cheese is delish.
17. Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Tacos by Well Planted
Pork tenderloin is great by itself, but it’s even better when it’s filled in a taco. It doesn’t matter whether you choose corn tortillas or flour tortillas; the recipe is yummy either way. You can thank the broccoli slaw and the pork for that. And the ginger and the peanuts. You cannot forget about those.
18. Healthy Coconut-Crusted Fish Tacos And Mango Salsa by Lively Table
Coconut is found in just about everything these days and that includes these tacos. Even if you’re anti-coconut, please, please give these fish tacos a try. You will not regret it. The hint of coconut takes these tacos to the next level. And it works very well with the mango salsa.
19. Loaded Vegetarian Guacamole Tacos by Soup Addict
Because every taco is better when guacamole is involved. You won’t miss any of the carne in these tacos thanks to the avo, black beans, corn and lettuce. For a spicy kick, add a little extra jalapeno. If you prefer your tacos on the less spicy side, stick with the original recipe. Then load up on the cilantro to cool things down.
20. Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa by Carl’s Bad Cravings
Teriyaki in a Mexican dish? Why not? There are a few other surprising ingredients in here too like the pear in the salsa. Leave your purist judgment at the door and give them a try. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results. In fact, pear, pineapple and teriyaki might be your new fave flavor combo.