31 Taco Recipes for Any Night of the Week

You'll find something for everyone with these recipes: authentic birria tacos, Tex-Mex tacos made with ground beef and more.

April 14, 2023

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Our Best Ideas for Tacos

Tacos are one of our favorite Mexican dishes, not only because they’re delicious but because they’re infinitely customizable. Corn tortillas or flour? Shredded chicken or a Tex-Mex take with ground beef? Topped with guacamole, pickled red onions, homemade salsa and cotija cheese? The list goes on and on—making it easy to whip up a version that will please even the pickiest eaters. Whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo party or just looking for a family-friendly dinner, you can’t go wrong with any of the recipes in this roundup, whether authentic or inspired. Need some extra options? Try setting up a taco bar. This recipe offers two different fillings and give you plenty of ideas for toppings. Best of all, everything is ready in 35 minutes, homemade pico de gallo included!

Get the Recipe: Make Your Own Tacos Bar

Tacos Carne Asada

Marinated flank steak plus pico de gallo, guacamole and queso fresco complete Tyler's 5-star tacos.

Get the Recipe: Tacos Carne Asada

Baja Fish Tacos

Halibut is a white, flaky fish with a mild flavor that's perfect for frying because it won't fall apart in the oil. Food Network Kitchen pairs the crispy fried fish with a quick slaw, store-bought salsa and avocado for a festive meal that only takes about 20 minutes to put together.

Get the Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos

Pineapple Throne Chicken Tacos

We channeled the flavors of al pastor in our seasonings for this chicken that roast standing upright on the core of a pineapple--you get even cooking all around and the spices play to the sweet juicy fruit's taste. The trickiest part of this dish is making sure you cut the pineapple base flat, so the chicken doesn’t tip over once it begins to cook. If it does, you can prop the bird up on the grill with a brick or other heatproof anchor.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Throne Chicken Tacos

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos

Start the meat in a slow-cooker before you go out for the day and come home to tender, flavorful pork tacos. Or, if you don't want to wait, make this recipe in a Dutch oven in half the time.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos

Baja Style Fish Tacos

Marcela serves her Baja-style beer-battered fish tacos with a fiery, fresh tomatillo salsa and lemon cream sauce.

Get the Recipe: Baja Style Fish Tacos

Instant Pot Tacos

Everyone's favorite night of the week just got easier. The Instant Pot® is the perfect tool for when you've forgotten to defrost your ground beef ahead of time.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tacos

Shrimp Tacos

A crunchy cabbage slaw is the key to Ree’s five-star shrimp tacos. The best part? They're ready to eat in 16 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tacos

Ground Chicken Tacos with Creamy Salsa

Switch up your taco night by spiking yours with Sunny's cool, creamy salsa.

Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Tacos with Creamy Salsa

15-Minute Stir-Fried Steak Tacos

We slice skirt steak and cook it quickly at a high temperature to save time and keep the meat tender. Make sure you save the super flavorful collected juices from the steak and onions to drizzle on your tacos.

Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Stir-Fried Steak Tacos

Indian Chicken Tacos

Mix taco night up a bit and add these Indian Chicken Tacos to the lineup. Swap traditional taco shells for naan and top with chutney, jalapeño and creamy cucumbers.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken Naan Wraps

Giant Crunchy Taco Wrap

We took a fast-food favorite and made it way (way!) bigger. And since it's stuffed with delicious layers of beef, cheese, crunch and sour cream, you'll be glad it's large enough to share.

Get the Recipe: Giant Crunchy Taco Wrap

Korean Short Rib Tacos

Jet Tila’s Korean-inspired tacos contain a crucial ingredient in the sauce: gochujang. This fermented red chili paste adds spicy and savory notes to the short ribs and Brussels sprout slaw stuffed inside the corn tortillas.

Get the Recipe: Korean Short Rib Tacos

Cajun-Catfish Tacos

Bring the taste of New Orleans straight to your kitchen! Food Network Kitchen suggests serving these grilled catfish tacos with freshly squeezed lime juice and hot sauce for an extra kick.

Get the Recipe: Cajun-Catfish Tacos

All-American Beef Taco

Thanks to a homemade spice mix, Alton’s beef tacos are packed with flavor. For extra oomph, Alton molds and fries his own corn tortilla shells.

Get the Recipe: All American Beef Taco

Chicken-Watermelon Tacos

Fresh watermelon makes for a summery tomato substitute in these classic chicken tacos.

Get the Recipe: Chicken-Watermelon Tacos

Roasted Salmon Tacos

Ina’s easy fish tacos are perfect for beginner chefs. After roasting, she breaks the salmon into chunks to fill her taco shells. A fresh, crunchy slaw and simple guacamole round out the dish.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Salmon Tacos

Mexican Pot Roast Tacos

Tyler braises beef shoulder until it’s tender and easily shredded. To make the ultimate beef taco, he loads a homemade taco shell with the shredded meat, a simple salsa and guacamole.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Pot Roast Tacos

Grilled Chicken Tacos

Rub chicken breasts with a chili powder paste for extra smoky flavor. Then, grill alongside corn tortillas and you've got the makings of a great taco night.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Tacos

Birria Tacos

These stewed short rib tacos take time but are worth the extra planning. The low-and-slow cooking method helps the beef cook up extra tender — and the homemade chili pepper sauce adds irresistible flavor.

Get the Recipe: Birria Tacos

15-Minute Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Slaw

This make-your-own-taco bar comes together in 15 minutes or less thanks to some help from the grocery store. Prepared chipotle mayonnaise, pre-cut coleslaw mix and canned beans are time-savers that make it easy to have tacos any day of the week.

Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Slaw

Pulled Pork Tacos

Giada seasons her pork with a dry rub, then cooks the meat low and slow to really develop the flavors. She tops her tacos with feta and radish, but the toppings are customizable to your preferences.

Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Tacos

Slopless Joe Taco

Enjoy the flavors of a Sloppy Joe without getting sloppy! Bowl-shaped tortillas let you dig into everyone’s favorite saucy beef dish minus the mess.

Get the Recipe: Slopless Joe Taco

Tofu Tacos

Use crunchy cubes of tofu instead of meat in your next taco; pile it into whole-wheat tortillas alongside Greek yogurt sauce and crunchy, tangy slaw.

Get the Recipe: Tofu Tacos

Crunchy Breakfast Tacos

Whether you’re looking to add some crunch (and extra veggies!) to your morning meal or want to give your taco night a breakfast-for-dinner-inspired twist, these egg-filled tacos are sure to fit the bill.

Get the Recipe: Crunchy Breakfast Tacos

Pork Carnitas Tacos

Slow-cook boneless pork butt in orange juice and fresh thyme until fork tender and you’ll have the perfect filling for warm corn tortillas. If you have time, make some pickled red onions too — they’re the perfect complement.

Get the Recipe: Pork Carnitas Tacos

Beef Tacos

Ree makes these hearty tacos when her family needs a fun, filling meal. She sets up a taco bar with the beef, chipotle salsa, corn tortillas and all the fixings and everyone gets what they want.

Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos

Beef Barbacoa Tacos

These tacos have layers of flavor thanks to chile peppers, slow-cooked beef and a simple sauce made with charred tomatoes, onions and garlic.

Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Thai-Style Tacos

Geoffrey cuts prep time by shredding up a half of a rotisserie chicken for his Thai-style tacos. A tangy slaw and peanut butter-based sauce top off this flavorful dish.

Get the Recipe: Thai-Style Tacos

Fish Tacos

Bobby’s fish tacos come together quickly thanks to his “automatic marinade.” He rests the fish in the jalapeno dressing for just 15 minutes before tossing it on the grill. Though Bobby grills with orate, any flaky white fish will do.

Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos

Ranch Chicken Tacos

Once you’ve seasoned and cooked your chicken, Ree recommends serving it with tortillas and a number of salsas, beans and grilled mini peppers to create your own taco bar.

Get the Recipe: Ranch Chicken Tacos