21 Best Taco Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Fiesta
Make Tex-Mex any night of the week.
Want to bring some flavor and fun back to your table and switch up your weeknight dinner routine? Get ready for taco night! And don't limit yourself to just Tuesdays—the best taco recipes are worth making any day of the week. Think of it as a build-your-own food adventure. Set out a spread of bold, colorful ingredients: "Vegetables, fresh cilantro, different varieties of bright white cheese, and both corn and flour tortillas," Ree Drummond says. "Variety is key!"
Whether you're into crispy fish, seasoned beef, spicy chicken, or plant-based fillings, there's a taco recipe here that'll hit the spot. Looking for some taco night ideas to get you started? Here, you'll find all different types of tacos, including classic Mexican recipes, like pollo asado tacos and carne asada tacos. Plus, you’ll find plenty of creative variations, like comforting taco soup, taco-flavored stuffed shells, and even a taco casserole recipe.
To finish off your taco feast, you’ll also find a recipe for homemade choco tacos that will have your sweet tooth feeling all sorts of nostalgia. All you need is a margarita with some chips and homemade salsa, and your taco night will be complete! Who knew family dinner could be this fun?
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Next Taco Tuesday, let the slow cooker do the work! Cook chicken breasts in a spicy tomato sauce for a few hours, then serve on tortillas topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe.
Salmon Tacos
Fish tacos don't have to be deep-fried! To lighten up the dish, opt for roasted salmon as the protein. You’ll have less fuss with even more flavor. The smoky, street corn-inspired slaw takes this taco to new heights.
Get the Salmon Tacos recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
Inspired by pork al pastor, this recipe calls for pork to be simmered in a slow cooker with pineapple, chipotle peppers, and onion until it's soft, juicy, and easy to shred.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos recipe.
Smash Tacos
Spicy chorizo will change your world! The melty cheese mellows it out perfectly. Then pile on your favorite toppings, and you’re ready to chow down! Do your taste buds a favor and serve buttery corn on the cob on the side.
Get Ree’s Smash Tacos recipe.
Taco Pie
You could also call this taco pizza or taco flatbread. Whatever name you prefer, it starts with crescent roll dough, then it's topped with cheese, seasoned beef, more cheese, and all the toppings you crave.
Get Ree’s Taco Pie recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos
Let your multicooker speed up your weeknight dinner process. Smoky BBQ chicken is way easier to make when your Instant Pot does the work! Just be sure to serve it up with the colorful slaw on top.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos recipe.
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Seasoned ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, fire-roasted corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and just the right amount of jalapeño and taco seasoning give this comforting soup so much filling flavor.
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe.
Taco Stuffed Shells
When you can't decide between Mexican and Italian, make these stuffed pasta shells with taco-seasoned beef and creamy cheese, then bake them until bubbly and golden.
Get Ree’s Taco Stuffed Shells recipe.
Taco Pasta Salad
Here’s another Tex-Mex and Italian mashup. In this recipe, orecchiette pasta is tossed with charred corn, spicy chorizo, Cotija cheese, and a zesty dressing. Crush tortilla chips over the top for extra crunch.
Get Ree's Taco Pasta Salad recipe.
Brisket Tacos
Meltingly tender brisket is slowly braised with spicy chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic, and ginger to give these tacos a burst of flavor. Pile it into tortillas with pickled red onions, shredded lettuce, and sour cream.
Get the Brisket Tacos recipe.
Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Ree says that shrimp tacos are her "weakness" and with this recipe, it's easy to see why! The shrimp are cooked in an enchilada sauce then topped with a sweet and spicy mango salsa.
Get Ree's Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa recipe.
Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos
This flank steak taco has a ton of smoky-sweet flavor thanks to adobo sauce, cumin, and a hint of maple syrup. For even more flavor, top with chopped onions, guacamole, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Get Ree's Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos recipe.
Salmon Tacos with Creamy Dill Slaw
No taco is complete without a little crunch! Add some to your favorite salmon tacos by topping them with Ree's creamy dill slaw.
Get Ree's Salmon Tacos with Creamy Dill Slaw recipe.
Taco Salad
This is not your average taco recipe, but it still has the flavor, texture, and color of a crunchy beef taco! It's a healthy spin on taco night.
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
Fried Beef Tacos
If you've never tried frying tacos before, prepare to be amazed! The crunchy take on taco night is so much fun to eat.
Get Ree's Fried Beef Tacos recipe.
Pollo Asado Tacos
"Pollo asado" translates to roasted (or barbecued) chicken. In this case skinless, boneless chicken thighs are roasted with a tangy, citrus marinade.
Get Ree's Pollo Asado Tacos recipe.
Taco Casserole
While this might not be your traditional taco recipe, it sure does taste like it! The ground beef casserole dish even has a slew of fun taco toppings. Pick as many as you like!
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
For a vegetarian taco that anyone would love, try these chili-roasted sweet potato tacos! They're incredibly satisfying thanks to the addition of hearty black beans.
Chorizo Breakfast Tacos
Breakfast tacos have been gaining in popularity lately. All you need are scrambled eggs, your favorite sausage (like spicy chorizo), and a few taco toppings (pico de gallo, avocado, and cheese).
Get the Chorizo Breakfast Tacos recipe.
Choco Taco
This dessert taco is just like the kind you remember as a kid. The waffle cone taco shells are filled with ice cream then topped with chocolate and crunchy peanuts.
Get the Choco Taco recipe.
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