Taco nights are a universal favorite. It’s one of the few meals I can make without anyone complaining. Whether it’s a casual Tuesday evening or a weekend gathering, tacos have a way of turning any meal into a celebration.
In this mouthwatering roundup of the best taco recipes, I’ll share with you my favorite taco night ideas as well as creative twists on a traditional taco.
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Tuesdays are Taco Night in our house. It’s the one night a week that I KNOW I can get everyone to the dinner table. Every season with kids is a busy one, and these easy taco recipe ideas are quick, too.
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Best Quick and Easy Taco Recipes
These are my absolute favorite Taco Tuesday taco recipes. Of course, you can eat them any night of the week, though. They are quick, easy, and my whole family loves them. It’s easy to adjust the spiciness. The main ingredients are cheap and readily available.
Of course, for the very best tacos, use homemade taco seasoning and freshly made tortillas. If you don’t have time to make the tortillas from scratch, warm store-bought taco shells as they will taste fresher.
10-minute Black Bean Tacos – Use modern conveniences such as canned black beans and bagged shredded coleslaw to make yummy and healthy tacos in just 10 minutes.
Easy Beef Tacos – Simple and traditional tacos with salsa, cheddar cheese, and ground beef.
Easy Skillet Tacos – Use just one skillet to make delicious taco meat with melty cheese for an easy dinner.
Double Decker Tacos – Layer a soft tortilla with refried beans. Then, wrap it around a hard shell and add spiced taco meat, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Bake in the oven for a yummy family friendly meal in just 20 minutes.
Baked Spicy Chicken Tacos – Use chicken for variety in your taco night. This recipe uses cooked, shredded chicken. Grab a rotisserie chicken from your local deli to make it super easy.
Gluten Free Tacos – Half the fun of tacos are the toppings. This recipe for gluten free tacos also includes directions for fresh salsa and guacamole.
Oven Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos – Switch out the beef for chicken and use buffalo sauce instead of jalapenos and salsa for an appetizing twist on regular tacos. Easy to make and bake to perfection on the oven.
Different Taco Recipes
Ready to try a little twist to the traditional tacos? These recipes use a variety of ingredients and different spices to kick taco night up a notch.
Carne Asada Tacos – Get out the grill for a street taco topped with cotija cheese, cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Jamaican Beef Tacos – All the flavors of Jamaica in a taco! Ground beef flavored with Jamaican spices and then topped off with a tropical slaw. This is like an island vacation in your mouth. A mango salsa would be delicious here too.
Crispy Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw and Sriracha Sauce – Use fried shrimp as your main protein in this different taco recipe. Exchange jalapenos for sriracha sauce and then add a crunchy, citrus-y slaw.
Better than Chipotle’s: Beef Barbacoa – Ever wondered how to layer pepper flavors together? This recipe not only teaches you how to make barbacoa but also teaches you the finer elements of getting it just right. Add fresh pico de gallo to take it to the next level.
Shrimp Tacos – Skewer marinated shrimp and then cook over a grill or under the broiler. Add cilantro, salsa, and lettuce for a fresh and light taco.
Gluten Free Taco Recipes
Gluten free recipes for tacos usually combine a protein with extra vegetables served on corn tortillas or without a shell at all.
Four Bean, Quinoa & Veggie Tacos – This recipe is both gluten free and vegetarian. Use four kinds of legumes, quinoa, and loads of veggies.
Jackfruit Meatball Tacos – Another vegetarian and gluten free option. This one requires a little more time than other recipes on this list, but it is definitely a different taco recipe! Use canned jackfruit to make your vegetable balls for taco filling.
Grilled Fish Tacos – Rub chili spices into fish prior to grilling. Then top with a fresh coleslaw.
Healthy Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps – Use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a keto-friendly and gluten-free taco.
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tacos – Black beans and sweet potatoes are the perfect mix of earthy and savory. Season to your preference and eat with corn tortillas to keep it gluten free.
Vegetarian Taco Recipes
Several of the gluten free taco recipes above are also vegetarian, but these are strictly vegetarian. Vegetables steal the show in every recipe.
Mexican Tacos, Vegetarian Tacos – Try this Indian-inspired Mexican taco with fresh ingredients and fried tortillas.
Veggie Tacos – Use that bumper crop of zucchini as the primary filling for these vegetarian tacos. Add spices and any other vegetables you might have in your fridge.
BBQ Pulled Carrot Tacos – Hello! Shredded carrots mixed with barbecue sauce, a purple cabbage slaw, and a ranch dressing? Yes, please! Carrots will retain their moisture and natural sweetness while the barbecue sauce sets it off.
Veggie Breakfast Tacos – I know we said this was going to be a different taco for every night, but how about breakfast? Combine scrambled eggs with roasted zucchini spears, extra veggies, and traditional spices for a filling and nutritious breakfast.
Toppings for Tacos
When you’re experimenting with different taco recipes, mix up the toppings, too! Try fruit, different spices, and combinations of vegetables to give your taco the perfect texture.
- Different beans (navy, chickpeas, cannellini)
- Lentils can be used instead of meat or as a different legume. Red lentils cook down more than brown ones so choose your favorite texture.
- Mushrooms can supplement meat fillings or be used as a substitute. They will take on all the flavor of your favorite spices.
- Cooked sweet potatoes are a heartier source for taco fillings than some other vegetables.
- Bell peppers make a great mild flavor if you are sensitive to heat.
- Poblano peppers have a different flavor and texture than others. Experiment to find your favorite pepper for tacos.
- Scallions can be used instead of red or white onions. They have a milder flavor.
- Fresh parsley can be used instead of cilantro or in conjunction with it.
- Salsa comes in all colors and spice levels. Add corn, cilantro, beans, mangos, or even peaches to homemade salsa recipes.
- Rice is delicious in tacos especially when seasoned with a bit of cumin, turmeric, or chili powder.
- Olives
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, feta, or colby jack are my favorites)
- Cabbage or kale, finely chopped
- Mangos
- Pineapple
Tacos are not just for Cinco de Mayo or Tuesdays! Get creative with your fillings and toppings for a delicious family meal in 30 minutes or less. Do you have a favorite taco recipe? Share it with us in the comments below.
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