57 Taco Recipe Ideas You Must Try

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Crispy Cauliflower Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein, kid-friendly

BRB, going for a swim in homemade queso. The cauliflower is coated in taco-seasoned flour before being baked to crispy perfection.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. BLT Tacos

Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, kid-friendly

The black pepper bacon cooks on a baking sheet in the oven for minimal mess and maximum crunch.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, slow cooker recipe, high protein

Just season, set and forget the pork shoulder in your Crockpot until it’s fall-apart juicy and soft.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Blue Cheese Crema

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Taco Tuesday does Meatless Monday. (The funky blue cheese crema would taste great on cheeseburgers, too.)

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, pescatarian, high protein

One bite and boom: You’re at the beach with a cocktail in hand, preferably a margarita.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Pancake Tacos with Cheese and Bacon

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein

We have a feeling these will become your kids’ new favorite breakfast. Drizzle theirs in syrup and yours in hot sauce.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Flank Steak Tacos with Cucumber Salsa

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy

The salsa is crunchy, citrusy and ridiculously refreshing, meaning it's just the ticket for your first alfresco dinner party of the year.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Poblano and Mushroom Tacos with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

File under Sneaky Ways to Convince Kids to Eat Vegetables. (Thanks, goat cheese.)

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Chicken Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: high protein, kid-friendly

The only downside to hard taco shells? All the filling falls out once you take a bite. These are fried after being filled, so all the goods (read: rotisserie chicken and cheese) stay in place. Genius.

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Michelle K. Min/Spicebox Kitchen

10. Roasted Salmon Tacos

Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Complete with grilled pineapple salsa and vegan cashew-lime crema.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Jackfruit Tacos with Grilled Pineapple

Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein

This tangy tropical fruit is the ultimate plant-based meat alternative. Use non-dairy cheese instead of queso fresco to make the tacos vegan.

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Katie Wayne/Emily Morgan

12. Grilled Carne Asada Tacos with Boursin Cheese

Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, one pan

Marinating the flank steak in apple cider vinegar and lime juice helps tenderize the meat.

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Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

13. Spicy Sweet Potato Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients

The recipe calls for shredding the sweet spuds with a box grater, but you can get the job done even faster by using a food processor with a grater attachment.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14. Crispy Baked Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, special occasion-worthy, high protein

Nothing says summer quite like lime-kissed, battered tilapia. Feel free to add sliced avocado and pickled onions before digging in.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15. Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Drape corn tortillas over your oven racks to turn them into taco shells with flat bottoms.

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The Minimalist Kitchen

16. Chicken Tinga Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, one pan, beginner-friendly

Starring a punchy chipotle blender sauce that will keep your guests from realizing you started with rotisserie chicken.

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A New Way to Food

17. Cauliflower and Plantain Tacos with Lemony Pesto Dressing

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, special occasion-worthy

Swap the plantain for yam or the cauliflower for broccoli if you’d like. (P.S.: Save some pesto to stir into fresh pasta.)

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. Slow Cooker Korean Short Rib Tacos

Time Commitment: 8 hours and 25 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, crowd-pleaser, high protein

The briny dill pickle cuts right through the heat of the gochujang.

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Photo: Mike Grippi/Styling: Caroline Lange

19. Rajas con Hummus Tacos

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian

A dollop of labneh? Don’t mind if we do. For the uninitiated, these are loosely inspired by rajas con crema, a Mexican dish starring sliced poblano peppers and cream.

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Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

20. Fried Egg Breakfast Tacos with Hot Honey

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes (includes infusing honey)
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Psst: Drizzle the leftover hot honey on pizza, fried chicken, roasted veggies, turkey sandwiches or even vanilla ice cream. Thank us later.

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Damn Delicious

21. Biscuit Lime Fish Tacos

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, beginner-friendly

The only thing better than fried fish? Fried fish on a flaky biscuit. (They start with canned biscuit dough, BTW.)

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Cookie and Kate

22. Easy Black Bean Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high fiber, beginner-friendly

Greek yogurt-lime crema > store-bought sour cream. The recipe calls for canned beans, so it comes together in a flash.

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Foodie Crush

23. Fried Avocado Tacos

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Consider these a one-way ticket to your happy place. (Hi, serrano cream sauce.)

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Dude That Cookz

24. Grilled Fish Tacos With Mango Salsa & Avocado Sauce

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, pescatarian, special occasion-worthy

Creole-spiced cod meets mango pico de gallo and the tangiest, creamiest avocado crema of all time.

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A Cookie Named Desire

25. American Breakfast Tacos

Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

To the maple syrup versus hot sauce dilemma, we say: ¿Por qué no los dos? Substitute breakfast sausage or chorizo for bacon if you'd prefer.

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Damn Delicious

26. Carne Asada Street Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser, one pan

Carne asada + onion + lime + cilantro = proof that sometimes, less is more. (Although a dollop of guac wouldn't hurt.)

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Gimme Some Oven

27. Life-Changing Crispy Baked Fish Tacos

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, crowd-pleaser, high protein

These panko-crusted gems are topped with cilantro-lime slaw and four-ingredient chipotle crema.

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Damn Delicious

28. Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, pescatarian, one pan

Oh, honey-sweet chili mayo, where have you been all our life? The shrimp are coated in buttermilk batter and panko breadcrumbs and fried, so they're shatteringly crisp.

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I Am A Food Blog

29. Birria Tacos

Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly, one pot

If you’re not washing each birria taco down with a shot of the savory stew juice (aka consomé), you’re doing it wrong.

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Damn Delicious

30. Quinoa Black Bean Tacos

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, one pot

A healthy vegetarian main worth adding to your weekly rotation. Plate the leftover filling atop a bed of greens to make a quick salad.

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Recipe Tin Eats

31. Baked Beef Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein

The melted cheese in these baked tacos will make this your new favorite way to prep the meal. Trust.

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Pinch of Yum

32. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe

Complete with garlicky, herbed ranch dressing from scratch. Fresh cabbage, lime and avocado cut through right through the heat of the Buffalo sauce.

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Cookie and Kate

33. Epic Vegetarian Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly

There’s truly no such thing as too many pickled onions. The same goes for creamy avocado dip and cotija cheese.

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Damn Delicious

34. Korean Beef Tacos

Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

You had us at caramelized kimchi (OK, and again at sriracha mayo). The beef's seasoning would taste great on salmon or tofu, too.

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Detoxinista

35. 20-Minute Jackfruit Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients

Canned green jackfruit does it again. In terms of texture, it's a lot like pulled pork.

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My Forking Life

36. Ground Turkey Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes

Just as easy to prepare as beef, but with a fraction of the fat.

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Pinch of Yum

37. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Pop the shrimp on the grill instead of cooking them in a skillet if the weather allows.

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Whitney Bond

38. Vegetarian Crispy Cactus Tacos

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Nopales, no problem—especially when they’re drizzled in avocado sauce and black bean-corn relish.

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The Defined Dish

39. Philly Cheesesteak Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, one pan

Behold, the most epic sandwich-inspired mashup we never knew we needed.

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Well Plated by Erin

40. Shrimp Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein

We love you, yogurt slaw. Toss the leftover shrimp atop kale, spinach or lettuce for tomorrow’s lunch.

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How Sweet Eats

41. Ground Beef Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, <30 minutes

How pretty is the cherry tomato pico de gallo?

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Courtesy of Ali Stafford

42. Egg Tacos with Roasted Poblano, Onion and Corn Salsa

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein

Make double of the salsa to pair with grilled steak, pork chops, shredded chicken or seared fish. (You can also mix it into grain bowls or salads.)

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Salt & Wind

43. Griddled Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein

They’re stuffed with chicken, refried beans, onions and cheese, then toasted like a quesadilla.

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Feasting at Home

44. Grilled Chipotle Fish Tacos with Peach Salsa

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Choose your favorite white fish or make the tacos vegan by substituting Portobello mushrooms or tofu instead.

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Salt & Wind

45. Squash Tacos with Chile Peanut Salsa

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free

These have unexpected Thanksgiving appetizer written all over them.

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Ambitious Kitchen

46. Salsa Verde Lentil Tacos with Mango-Pomegranate Pico

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, one pot

Go the extra mile and make your own salsa verde, or save time with canned salsa verde or green enchilada sauce.

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Feasting at Home

47. Greek Lamb Tacos with Minted Yogurt Sauce

Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein

Who knew tacos and gyros got along so well? Don't even get us started on the bonus herbed caper sauce.

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Salt and Wind

48. Austin-Style Breakfast Tacos

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

No wonder they say everything’s bigger in Texas: These are piled high with a generous dose of home fries.

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Gimme Some Oven

49. Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor

Time Commitment: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, high protein, special occasion-worthy

This summery meal stars roasted pork shoulder and pineapple.

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Salt & Wind

50. Zucchini Rajas Salmon Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, pescatarian, high protein

If you’re not into spicy food, this rendition of rajas trades poblano peppers for cool zucchini.

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Ambitious Kitchen

51. Street Corn Chicken Tacos

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Four words: Jalapeño. Lime. Cashew. Sauce.

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Salt and Wind

52. Pea Guacamole and Seared Halloumi Soft Tacos

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

If you think meatless tacos are boring, seared slabs of salty halloumi cheese will change your mind.

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Feasting at Home

53. Grilled Steak Tacos with Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy

Catch us making these for every barbecue we ever host. Might we suggest finishing them off with a drizzle of chipotle mayo?

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Half Baked Harvest

54. Mushroom Al Pastor Tacos with Garlic Lime Special Sauce

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, one pan

Swap pork for meaty cremini mushrooms in chipotle-pineapple marinade.

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Ambitious Kitchen

55. Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice and Mango Guacamole

Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Heart-healthy never looked so damn delicious. The salmon is baked, but you can also grill or sear it on the stovetop.

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Dinner at the Zoo

56. Ground Beef Tacos

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein

OK, we said no run-of-the-mill ground beef tacos. But we’d be lying if we said they didn’t hold a special, nostalgic place in our hearts (and tummies).

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Laura Wing-Kamoosi

57. Chocolaty Dessert Taco Bar

Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Cookie shells filled with chocolate mousse and topped with everything from berries to edible rose petals? Swoon.

Get the recipe

For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.

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57 Taco Recipe Ideas to Get You Through Every Tuesday of the Year (and Then Some)

1. Crispy Cauliflower Tacos

2. BLT Tacos

3. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

4. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Blue Cheese Crema

5. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

6. Pancake Tacos with Cheese and Bacon

7. Flank Steak Tacos with Cucumber Salsa

8. Poblano and Mushroom Tacos with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

9. Chicken Tacos

10. Roasted Salmon Tacos

11. Jackfruit Tacos with Grilled Pineapple

12. Grilled Carne Asada Tacos with Boursin Cheese

13. Spicy Sweet Potato Tacos

14. Crispy Baked Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

15. Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tacos

16. Chicken Tinga Tacos

17. Cauliflower and Plantain Tacos with Lemony Pesto Dressing

18. Slow Cooker Korean Short Rib Tacos

19. Rajas con Hummus Tacos

20. Fried Egg Breakfast Tacos with Hot Honey

21. Biscuit Lime Fish Tacos

22. Easy Black Bean Tacos

23. Fried Avocado Tacos

24. Grilled Fish Tacos With Mango Salsa & Avocado Sauce

25. American Breakfast Tacos

26. Carne Asada Street Tacos

27. Life-Changing Crispy Baked Fish Tacos

28. Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

29. Birria Tacos

30. Quinoa Black Bean Tacos

31. Baked Beef Tacos

32. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Tacos

33. Epic Vegetarian Tacos

34. Korean Beef Tacos

35. 20-Minute Jackfruit Tacos

36. Ground Turkey Tacos

37. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw

38. Vegetarian Crispy Cactus Tacos

39. Philly Cheesesteak Tacos

40. Shrimp Tacos

41. Ground Beef Tacos

42. Egg Tacos with Roasted Poblano, Onion and Corn Salsa

43. Griddled Chipotle Chicken Tacos

44. Grilled Chipotle Fish Tacos with Peach Salsa

45. Squash Tacos with Chile Peanut Salsa

46. Salsa Verde Lentil Tacos with Mango-Pomegranate Pico

47. Greek Lamb Tacos with Minted Yogurt Sauce

48. Austin-Style Breakfast Tacos

49. Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor

50. Zucchini Rajas Salmon Tacos

51. Street Corn Chicken Tacos

52. Pea Guacamole and Seared Halloumi Soft Tacos

53. Grilled Steak Tacos with Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

54. Mushroom Al Pastor Tacos with Garlic Lime Special Sauce

55. Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice and Mango Guacamole

56. Ground Beef Tacos

57. Chocolaty Dessert Taco Bar

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