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Here are all the best easy taco recipes to make at home! Try them all: plus our top sides and drinks to go alongside.
Here’s a key to healthy, easy and fast meals: Taco Recipes. So many evenings the tortilla holds the answer to that always elusive answer to, “What should I make for dinner?” They’re simple to put together, can fit almost any diet, and are always, always delicious.
Here are all the best easy taco recipes to choose from! There’s something for everyone in this list, from epic fish tacos with a zingy dry rub, shrimp tacos with cilantro ranch, to fan favorite crispy cauliflower tacos. Below, we’ve got the top 10 sides to go with tacos and some tasty drinks too.
And now…our top taco recipes!
At the top of our taco recipes: these Epic Fish Tacos! Bake white fish until it’s flaky with a zingy dry rub of spices, then top with a tangy slaw and a creamy fish taco sauce! It’s a spin on Mexican Baja tacos using the flavors and style of this cuisine. They’re tasty, easy to make, and ideal for weeknights or dinner parties.
Also try: Grilled Fish Tacos
This taco recipe is one of our top fan favorite recipes...ever! Here the filling is Crispy Roasted Cauliflower, roasted in the oven and covered in a savory, salty, sweet and lightly spicy breading. It’s a play on breaded fish tacos, but plant-based with a fusion spin! Cover it all in Yum Yum Sauce, used in Japanese steakhouses and served with seafood. It adds a richness to these cauliflower tacos that’s out of this world good!
This healthy shrimp tacos recipe is ultra-versatile and works for both easy weeknight meals and dinner parties. Recipes like that are few and far between! Top the juicy shrimp with our Creamy Cilantro Taco Sauce; almost like a ranch dressing with cilantro, you might just want to bathe in it! Throw it all together with shredded cabbage, red onion and lime in a charred tortilla.
Also try: Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Here’s a quick and easy taco recipe perfect for weeknights: try these Mushroom Tacos! Portobello mushrooms have enormous savory flavor: throw them in a skillet with some punchy seasonings and they make plant-based magic. This recipe is for when you have just a few minutes to throw together a meal: combine those portobellos with creamy refried beans and the quickest slaw, and you’ve got dinner!
These crispy avocado tacos are destined to be your new favorite taco recipe! You’ve got avocado fries, breaded and baked in a hot oven until crispy. Then top that with spiced black beans, pico de gallo, and the refreshing crunch of romaine lettuce. Drizzle on a creamy lime and cilantro sauce, and it’s heaven on a plate. It tastes like restaurant tacos, but it’s easy to whip up in your kitchen.
Want those elusive recipes that are healthy, easy and delicious? Meet a favorite taco recipe that takes just 15 minutes: these easy Black Bean Tacos! It stars our 5 minute black beans, a quick taco filling idea that’s bursting with flavor in just a few minutes. Top it with all the best taco toppings: corn, avocado, pickled onions: and a sprinkling of feta cheese.
Here’s a new favorite taco recipe: Salmon Tacos! These tacos are bursting with fresh, zingy flavor, pairing blackened salmon with pineapple pico and a creamy green avocado sauce. It’s an easy healthy dinner that tastes restaurant-style, but you can whip it up in about 30 minutes. Dinnertime win!
Did you know that eggs can taste like taco meat? Yes, somehow the spiced scrambled eggs filling channels the flavor of taco meat plus chorizo. This 5-minute easy taco recipe works as a breakfast idea, an easy lunch, or a fast and easy dinner! Yes, it's all three at once. (Audible gasp.) Meet these amazing egg tacos!
Here’s a great recipe for any season: these Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos! Throw almost any seasonal veggies onto a sheet pan, season them up, and they work as a delicious taco filling! The best part: you can add the black beans right on the roasting pan. It comes out zingy and delicious: top with pico de gallo, cheese crumbles, and a dollop of sour cream.
While it’s not typically served in a tortilla, tofu is ideal for a taco recipe. Its neutral flavor takes on whatever flavors you season it with: and these tofu crumbles are quite the kitchen trick. Add cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and smoked paprika, and the filling is bursting with flavor! You can whip up these easy tacos in just 20 minutes, making them ideal for weeknight meals.
Next up in our taco recipes: vegan carnitas tacos! These tacos taste just like pulled pork...except they're made with jackfruit. Wait: a meaty taco filling made with fruit? It's pretty magical how a fruit can oddly taste just like meat by adding onion, garlic, cumin, tomato paste, cocoa powder and adobo sauce. Serve with refried beans for a filling comfort food meal!
Also try: Easy Vegan Tacos
This loaded quinoa taco recipe is a true crowd pleaser and one of our go to’s for quick weeknights! The quinoa filling is toasted and filled with taco spices and lime. Then combine it with a bell pepper slaw, spicy sour cream, salsa, and feta cheese, and you’ve got a new level of delicious. Oh and pickled red onions add color and crunch!
How to warm tortillas…and best tortilla warmer
Here’s the most crucial thing about taco recipes: you absolutely must warm your tortillas! There’s nothing worse than a cold, tough tortilla wrapped around the fillings. The best way in our opinion is over a gas burner: you can place the tortilla right on top and lightly char the edges! It warms the tortilla and adds a little charred flavor. But there are a few other methods too. Here’s what do know:
- Warm your tortillas over a gas flame (preferred) or in the oven or microwave. Go to How to Warm Tortillas.
- Get a tortilla warmer! It might sound unnecessary, but an inexpensive tortilla warmer is key for keeping those tortillas perfectly warm and soft while you eat. Here’s the tortilla warmer we have.
Want to skip tortillas? Don’t forget about Taco Salad! Top it with any of the taco fillings above or this tasty Vegan Taco Meat, and drizzle with Taco Salad Dressing. Or, try this cozy Easy Taco Soup!
10 side dish recipes to go with tacos
Once you’ve got your tacos picked out, what to serve with them? Here are our top easy sides to go with tacos: pick your favorites and let us know what you choose!
- Refried beans: try homemade refried beans or use canned
- Green salad, like Mexican green salad with tortilla strips and cilantro lime dressing
- Coleslaw like Mexican coleslaw, which doubles as a taco filling
- Rice, like Spanish rice or black beans and rice
- Guacamole and chips: purchased or homemade guacamole
- Corn, like elote (Mexican street corn) or grilled corn salad
- Chips and salsa: try the best salsa and warm homemade tortilla chips
- Bean dip, like 5-minute bean dip or refried bean dip
- Tomato salad like cucumber tomato avocado salad
- Quinoa, like Mexican-style quinoa
10 drink recipes to go with tacos
Planning a taco night party or celebrating Taco Tuesday in style? There are so many great drinks to serve with taco recipes: of course, all our margarita recipes! But there are many more variations and other ideas to choose from. Here’s our list of top 10 ideas:
- Classic margarita: Can’t go wrong with a Perfect Margarita (or Virgin Margarita)
- Classic daiquiri: The Classic Daiquiri stars lime and rum
- Frozen daiquiri: Try a Lime Frozen Daiquiri or Strawberry Daiquiri
- Paloma: The Paloma is a refreshing Mexican grapefruit and tequila drink
- Michelada or chelada: Having tacos for brunch? Try a Michelada, Chelada, or Bloody Maria.
- Mexican mule: Opt for tequila and ginger beer in a Mexican Mule
- Ranch water: Try this favorite Tex Mex tequila drink, Ranch Water
- Frozen margarita: Go for a frosty spin with Frozen Margarita or Strawberry Margarita
- Jalapeno margarita: Go spicy with a Jalapeño Margarita or Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
- Mezcal paloma or Mezcal mule: Try a smoky Mezcal Margarita or Mezcal Paloma
12 Easy Taco Recipes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos (3 to 4 servings; see note) 1x
Description
Here’s how to make the tastiest fish tacos around! Bake the fish with a dry rub of spices, then top it with tangy slaw and creamy sauce. For more taco recipes for Taco Tuesday, see above.
Ingredients
For the fish
- 1 pound tilapia or cod* (wild caught preferable)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon each cumin and smoked paprika (or standard paprika)
- ½ teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, for seasoning
For the tacos
- 3 cups shredded red cabbage (or a mix of red and green cabbage)
- 1 shredded or grated carrot (optional)
- 1 green onion
- 2 ½ tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon each celery salt and kosher salt (or all kosher salt)
- Fish Taco Sauce (or Cilantro Lime Crema, Spicy Mayo, or Chipotle Sauce)
- 8 corn tortillas
- Chopped cilantro, for serving
- Lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Thaw the fish, if necessary.
- Make the fish: In a small bowl, mix together the dry rub: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pat the fish dry, then sprinkle it with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and pat it in. Add the seasoning and pat it to cover the fish. Place the fish on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until tender. Then broil for 2 minutes until the top is lightly browned.
- Make the slaw: Meanwhile, thinly slice the cabbage. Shred or grate the carrot (we used a handheld julienne peeler). Thinly slice the green onion. Place the cabbage, carrots and green onion in a bowl. Stir in the lime juice, salt and celery salt. Serve immediately with a slotted spoon. The slaw picks up moisture as it sits; if you plan to let it sit, make sure to serve with the slotted spoon to strain out the moisture.
- Make the sauce: Make the Fish Taco Sauce.
- Warm the tortillas: If desired, char the tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs, until they are slightly blackened and warm. Or warm them according to How to Warm Tortillas.
- Assemble the tacos by topping the tortillas with fish, slaw, and sauce. Top with chopped cilantro and a spritz of lime.
Notes
*If you’re serving 4 hungry eaters, you may want to increase the fish to 1.5 pounds and up the spice quantities accordingly. The slaw and sauce should work for 12 tacos. Or, make sure to serve with a filling side dish like refried beans (purchased or homemade).
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
