Jamielyn Nye
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Your favorite night of the week just got a whole lot more delicious with these amazing Taco Tuesday recipes! Whether you’re looking for traditional tacos, creative ideas, easy slow cooker recipes and more, you’ll find it all here.
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Table of Contents
- Best Taco Recipe Ideas
- Assembling Your Tacos
- Toppings and Condiments
- Side Dishes for Taco Tuesday
- FAQs
- Traditional Tacos + Slow Cooker Tacos
- Healthy Taco Dinners
- Creative Taco Night Ideas
- Other Fun Taco Variations
- The Full List of Taco Tuesday Recipes
- Taco Tuesday Recipes Printable Recipe
Best Taco Recipe Ideas
If you know me, you know that Tuesday’s are my favorite night of the week for dinner. Why, you ask? Taco Tuesday! Having a day during the week that’s dedicated to my absolute favorite Mexican dinner is like a dream come true. Give me ALL the tacos!
There are so many fun ways to make them and with this amazing list of Taco Tuesday recipes, you’ll never get bored! Serve in a tortilla, make a salad or bowl, or set up an easy taco bar when hosting a dinner party.Any of these meal ideas are bound to be a hit!
Assembling Your Tacos
The best part about making tacos is that there are so many delicious ways to enjoy them. Once you’ve chosen a base, the type of meat you’d like and your favorite seasoning, then it’s time to get started. Sometimes I even take a shortcut and use leftover rotisserie chicken!
- Base: The traditional base is a corn or flour tortilla. You can use a lettuce wrap to keep it light, or use other fun ideas like Indian fry bread or even Doritos to make a walking taco.
- Meat: There are so many different types of meat to choose from. Keep it classic with ground beef taco meat, or use shredded chicken, steak, carnitas or sweet pork. You can even use seafood like shrimp or tilapia.
- Seasoning: Don’t forget to season your meat for extra flavor! Taco seasoning or fajita seasoning both work great. Feel free to add in a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro or a dash of hot sauce or red chili flakes.
Toppings and Condiments
Next comes the toppings! You can use as many or as little as you’d like. I’m a toppings girl, so I especially love to load up mine with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream and some sliced avocado. The options are endless!
- Shredded cheese
- Lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced olives
- Red salsa or salsa verde
- Hot sauce
- Cilantro lime crema
- Green or red onion
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Mango salsa
- Cilantro lime dressing
- Pickled onions
Side Dishes for Taco Tuesday
Tacos are filling (especially with lots of toppings), so you don’t necessarily need a Mexican side dish. But if you’re serving a crowd or want to make sure you have enough leftovers for the next day, try serving them with one of the delicious sides below.
- Chips and salsa
- Cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice
- Mexican street corn
- Fajita veggies
- Mexican salad
- Black, pinto or refried beans
- Mexican cornbread
FAQs
What do you serve at a taco Tuesday party?
Besides a variety of tacos which is a given, try black bean salsa, avocado salsa, seven layer dip or pick a few of these Mexican appetizers!
Why are tacos eaten on Tuesday?
The story is that the tradition started in 1989 and was trademarked by the popular taco chain “Taco John’s”. It’s not only a catchy phrase but a great way to satisfy your taco cravings!
What to serve as a side dish with tacos?
Other than the above listed side dishes you can try guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican street corn salad and refried beans.
Traditional Tacos + Slow Cooker Tacos
These are all of the tried and true taco recipes that you would see on the menu at your favorite Mexican restaurant. The beauty of these recipes is that they are easier, less expensive and some can even be made in the crockpot!
- Easy Ground Beef Tacos. Perfectly seasoned in a crunchy taco shell. Delicious and top it how you like!
- Steak Tacos. A flavorful marinade makes these tacos outstanding!
- Slow Cooker Carnitas. Pork is simmered in flavorful seasonings, shredded and makes the best tacos. Also try Instant Pot carnitas!
- Tilapia Fish Tacos. Flaky fish tacos are drizzled with the best fish sauce for an amazing taco dinner!
- Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos. Your favorite bang bang shrimp in taco form!
- Carnitas Tacos. How to build the perfect carnita taco starts with perfectly shredded carnita pork.
- Slow Cooker Pork Tacos. Pork sirloin tip roast is slow simmered in enchilada sauce for the best sauce and tender taco filling.
- Ranch Chicken Tacos. Dry ranch seasoning is the secret ingredient in these tacos.
- Shredded Beef Tacos. Tender shredded beef is the star of the show in these and it’s all hands off in the slow cooker!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Tacos. Another crockpot favorite that returns delicious results!
- Skirt Steak Tacos. Bring Mexican street food tacos into your kitchen with these melt in your mouth steak tacos.
- BBQ Chicken Tacos. Add a sweet taste to your tacos by adding BBQ!
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos. The beauty of these tacos is that you can use fresh or frozen chicken!
- Flank Steak Tacos. Grilled steak is piled high on tortillas and then topped with all your favs!
- Birria Tacos. Made with slow simmered beef birria, these tacos are better than any taco truck made right in your own kitchen.
Healthy Taco Dinners
For a lighter alternative, try swapping the classic tortillas for a lettuce wrap or some chopped greens. You can also keep the toppings healthy with some fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, grilled corn and a dollop of greek yogurt. Healthy tacos don’t have to be boring!
- Easy Taco Salad Recipe. Lighter but still loaded with all your favorites. Add a few tortilla strips for some crunch!
- Shredded Chicken Taco Salad. Simple, flavorful and delicious every time.
- Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls. Chicken, rice, beans and corn are layered in the pressure cooker for a dinner that is ready in 30 minutes!
- Taco Lettuce Wraps. No on will miss the tortilla in these fun lettuce wraps that are filled with all the taco taste.
Creative Taco Night Ideas
If there’s one meal that I could eat every day and never get sick of, it’s TACOS! I love all things Mexican food (chips and salsa, enchiladas, taquitos), but especially love tacos. I just can’t get enough of the crispy tortillas, seasoned meat and flavorful toppings.
If you’re looking for a fun way to spruce up Taco Tuesday, try any of these delicious and creative ideas below. These aren’t your traditional recipes, but they will definitely make their way into your list of favorites!
- Taco Braid. When some of the family wants pizza and the other tacos, make this to satisfy everyone!
- Walking Taco. Not just for a school lunch of the concession stand, these tacos are a favorite to make at home!
- Easy Navajo Tacos Recipe. Make homemade fry bread for this delicious Southwest version of a taco.
- Taco Pockets. Family friendly and a delicious spin on a taco!
- Breakfast Tacos. Eat them for breakfast, eat them at dinner, it doesn’t matter the time of the day, they are delicious no matter the time of day you eat them.
- Taco Cups. Make them for a an appetizer on taco Tuesday or enjoy them as meal!
Other Fun Taco Variations
Reinvention has never been so delicious. Why not take all of the same yummy flavors and create a totally new dish? Your family will never get bored of Taco Tuesday with these fun variations.
- Easy Taco Soup Recipe. Cozy with all your familiar taco taste, this soup is the perfect way to warm up!
- Taco Casserole. Crowd pleasing with all your favorite taco flavors, this dish is ready in only 15 minutes.
- Slow Cooker Taco Lasagna. I love a good hands off meal and this is a favorite.
- Crescent Roll Taco Bake. This recipe takes a shortcut with a can of crescent rolls and no one can resist it!
- Best Instant Pot Taco Soup. My favorite taco soup made even easier in the pressure cooker!
- Chicken Taco Soup. Hearty, flavorful and ready in 30 minutes!
- Easy Taco Dip Recipe. Serve with tacos or on it’s own this dip is ready in only 15 minutes and will be a hit at parties or on taco Tuesday!
The Full List of Taco Tuesday Recipes
Don’t let just Tuesday stop you from enjoying Taco tuesday recipes any night of the week! These are the best taco ideas from traditional to creative. Customize them to how you like and enjoy.
Ground Beef Tacos
These easy ground beef tacos are a classic family dinner made with flavorful, homemade taco meat stuffed into a tortilla shell. It's simple, delicious and ready in 20 minutes!
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
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Steak Taco Recipe
Taco night just got better with steak tacos! Easy to make with a flavorful marinade then pan seared or grilled to perfection and layered on tortillas with all your favorite toppings.
Total Time: 52 minutes minutes
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Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
These slow cooker carnitas are super easy to make and taste great in tacos, nachos, enchiladas or burritos! So tender and full of flavor.
Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
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Slow Cooker Sweet Pork
This slow cooker sweet pork is made with 5 ingredients and only takes 5 minutes of prep work! Tastes great in tacos, burritos, salads and enchiladas!
Total Time: 8 hours hours
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Ranch Chicken Tacos
A tried and true family favorite recipe that takes just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep! Quick, easy and healthy. These ranch chicken tacos are so juicy, tender and full of flavor!
Total Time: 6 hours hours
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Carnitas Tacos Recipe
Juicy carnitas tacos are restaurant-worthy with tender pork that has the best crispy edges. Make your carnitas easily in the Instant Pot then load up your taco shell with favorite toppings.
Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
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Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Throw away the takeout menu and enjoy making these bang bang shrimp tacos at home! Crispy fried shrimp are tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy sauce and then piled into corn tortillas and topped with crunchy cabbage. Dinner is ready in under 30 minutes!
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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Shredded Beef Tacos
These shredded beef tacos are flavor-packed and easy to make with a roast and a few Mexican pantry staples. Slow cook until tender, then just shred and pile into a tortilla!
Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
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Crockpot Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
A delicious crockpot chicken tinga tacos recipe that tastes like it came straight from a Mexican restaurant. So easy and only takes 5 minutes to prep. These tinga tacos are authentic and amazing!
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
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Skirt Steak Tacos
These skirt steak tacos are made with an easy marinade that adds bold flavor to the tender slices of grilled marinated steak! Add your favorite toppings for a quick weeknight dinner.
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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BBQ Chicken Tacos
Warm corn tortillas loaded with tangy BBQ chicken, black beans salsa, fresh cilantro and a drizzle of cilantro lime dressing. These easy BBQ chicken tacos are made in just 15 minutes and are the perfect dinner to serve your family on Taco Tuesday!
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Instant Pot chicken tacos are made with a handful of ingredients and about 40 minutes of your time, whether you're using fresh or frozen chicken. Perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken ready for taco night any day of the week!
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
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Tilapia Fish Tacos
Flavorful tilapia fish tacos recipe are made with flaky, tender seasoned tilapia and loaded with fresh ingredients. Finished a garlic lime fish sauce, it's a delicious weeknight dinner!
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
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Flank Steak Tacos
These flank steak tacos are made with a simple marinade of citrus, garlic and spices then grilled to perfection! Pile the steak into a tortilla for a homemade taco that everyone loves.
Total Time: 1 hour hour
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Taco Salad Recipe
Fresh, flavorful and easy taco salad is made with seasoned ground beef, loaded with toppings then served over chopped greens with your favorite salad dressing.
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
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Chicken Taco Salad
Shredded chicken taco salad loaded with lettuce, black beans, grilled corn, avocado, tomatoes and bell peppers. Topped with a creamy salsa ranch dressing. Simple, flavorful and delicious!
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
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Taco Lettuce Wraps
Taco lettuce wraps are a healthy, flavorful and delicious protein packed, low-carb alternative to traditional tacos. They're paleo, gluten-free and an easy Whole 30 recipe!
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl Recipe
Easy instant pot chicken taco bowls that take just 5 minutes of prep. A family favorite meal idea that's perfect for busy weeknights. Just simply dump and go!
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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Walking Taco Recipe
These walking tacos are made with taco meat and toppings served in a bag of Fritos or Doritos. They are not only fun to eat on-the-go but are quick to make for parties or meals.
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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Navajo Taco Recipe
These easy and delicious Navajo tacos are a family favorite made with soft and crispy fry bread piled high with seasoned ground beef, beans and all your favorite taco toppings!
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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Taco Pockets
Upgrade your dinner routine and make these easy taco pockets! Made with flaky pie crust, taco meat, cheese and salsa, it's a crowd-pleasing taco inspired recipe.
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
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Breakfast Tacos
These Mexican breakfast tacos are made with fluffy scrambled eggs wrapped in a warm tortilla. Customize with bacon, potatoes or cheese then add your favorite toppings!
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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Taco Cups
Layers of crispy wonton wrappers, seasoned taco meat with chili beans, melted cheese and a flavorful salsa ranch dressing. These mini taco cups are the perfect Mexican appetizerfor your next party!
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
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Taco Braid
A fun spin on taco night, this taco braid is easy to make with a saucy ground beef taco filling and cheese stuffed in braided pizza dough. It's a crowd-pleasing dinner recipe!
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
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Taco Soup Recipe
This easy taco soup recipe is hearty with the best Mexican-inspired taco flavors! Simple to prep in one pot in only 10 minutes.
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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Taco Casserole
This taco casserole is made with layers of tortilla chips, ground beef and cheese then baked to perfection. Top with your favorite toppings for an easy dinner the whole family will love!
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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Taco Dip Recipe
This taco dip is ready to serve in a total of 15 minutes and has all the flavors of traditional tacos including the toppings! It's made with a seasoned cream cheese base topped with tomatoes, olives, and cheese, as well as there are so many ways to customize it!
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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Crescent Roll Taco Bake
This crescent roll taco bake is easy to make with crescent roll dough, seasoned ground beef and gooey cheese then baked and ready in 45 minutes. It's pure comfort food!
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Read more
Slow Cooker Taco Lasagna
Layers of tortillas, cream cheese, beans, taco meat, enchilada sauce and cheese. This slow cooker taco lasagna is perfectly creamy, cheesy and has tons of flavor.
Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
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Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls
A delicious taco bowl loaded with cilantro lime rice, seasoned chicken, black beans and corn. Easily made in the slow cooker and dinner is ready when you are!
Total Time: 4 hours hours
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Chicken Taco Soup
Easy chicken taco soup made in just one pot in 30 quick minutes. Our favorite hearty and flavorful soup recipe to enjoy during the fall season.
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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Instant Pot Taco Soup
A mouthwatering one-pot dinner idea that is freezer-friendly and makes for easy batch cooking. This Instant Pot taco soup is fully loaded with the flavors, textures, and aromas of everyone's favorite taco, but in the form of a hearty & comforting soup!
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Read more
Need more dinner inspiration? Try this list of top Mexican food recipes, ground beef dinner ideas or this list of my favorite easy dinner ideas!
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Taco Tuesday Recipes
5 from 1 vote
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Use this flavorful ground beef taco meat for your next Taco tuesday night! With only 4 ingredients, it's flavorful and easy to make in only 15 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef , 80-90% lean
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 1-2 Tablespoons taco seasoning , more to taste
- ½ cup salsa
- ¼ cup water , more as needed
S&P to taste
Instructions
Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until browned, stirring occasionally breaking up any large pieces.
Drain off any extra grease after it is browned then add taco seasoning, salsa or tomato sauce and water. Bring to a light simmer adding more water as needed.
Serve in for tacos, taco salads or burritos.
Notes
Freezer instructions: Place in a freezer bag and seal out any air. Store in freezer for up to 3 months. Place in the fridge overnight to thaw, then reheat in skillet or microwave until warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 285mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
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Categorized as: Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Mexican, Recipe Roundup
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
More about Jamielyn Nye
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Add a comment
13 comments
- Rachelle
Actually the oven tacos pic is from my blog, here is the link to it to add to yours. http://mommyimhungry.blogspot.com/2012/11/oven-tacos.html
- Reply
- Jamielyn Nye
Hi Rachelle! I just updated that. Thank you for letting me know! :)
- Reply
- Glider Rocker Cushions
no more boring taco Tuesday for us!
- Reply
- Ruby Roberts
I liked all the wonderful recipes, but you didn’t have my families favorite. My sister (Susie Makemson) makes the best tacos I have ever had the pleasure of eating. It is all like the traditional tacos except she fries them. We make the beef with taco sauce and heat up refried beans. We chop up onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and shred the cheese. We heat up a large skillet with peanut oil about 1 inch deep. We take 12in. soft shells and put a large spoon of taco Beef, A large spoon of refried beans and a spoon of cheese in the center of the soft shell and fold it over gently so it won’t spill out. When the oil is hot fry one side and turn over with tongs to fry the other side. I have a glass cake pan lined with paper towels to set the hot tacos up to drain on the side. Then you gently open them and add the other fixins. SOOO Yummy. You have to try it
- Reply
- Jamielyn
Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing!
- Reply
- Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite
Yes! This is perfect for my family. We do tacos and taco salad all the time but it’s usually the same ingredients. Can’t wait to try these out. Everything looks delicious and there are so many healthy options!
- Reply
- Jamielyn
These recipes definitely help us switch it up for Taco Tuesday! It’s fun to have new ones to try! :)
- Reply
- Gloria Menendez
What a terrific idea on the yummy tacos. I am all for easy and tasty.
- Reply
- Bonnie Wild
I had to create a new pinterest board to accommodate these recipes. They appear to all be simple and quick dinners. The fish tacos and the dessert tacos will be tried first. Of course I will try the crockpot chicken taco bowl recipe since the crock is my best friend on busy days. Thank you for posting!!
- Reply
- Jamielyn
Crock pots are definitely my best friend too! Crock pots and one pot meals. :)
- Reply
- Michelle
Every one of these recipes looks delicious! Can’t wait to give a few of them a try for Taco Tuesday!
- Reply
- heather @french press
no more boring taco Tuesday for us! what a great collection
- Reply
- Jamielyn
Thanks for stopping by Heather! We love Taco Tuesday around here so I am excited to try all of these! :)
- Reply
