Jason Speed
Any dish that gets its own day of the week must be pretty special, and this one is no exception. Tacos have become a staple dish for good reason. Whether you’re trying to feed a massive crowd, picky kids, or a potential partner, these are always a safe (and delicious) bet. With its wide selection of styles and recipes, theres something for everyone!
Add Some Color to Your Tacos
In any meal, you eat with your eyes before you actually taste it. Tacos are unmatched when it comes to zero effort presentation and still looking amazing. The browns, greens, yellows, and reds that come from each ingredient contrast and play off each other wonderfully. This ease of plating makes them the best choice for any situation, whether it be a graduation, birthday, or wedding.
20-Minute Ground Beef Tacos
If we’ve learned anything, it’s that simplicity is everyone’s best friend. Let’s take it back to basics with these amazingly easy and singularly delicious beef tacos. Thanks to its 20-minute cook time, these are a perfect last-second meal idea. Try these out next time you’re in the mood for some Mexican after a long day of hard work.
Ground Beef
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 yellow onion – diced
1 pound lean ground beef
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne
salt + pepper – to taste
1 cup tomato sauce
Toppings
8-12 crunchy taco shells
Monterey or Colby jack cheese – shredded
fresh tomatoes – diced
Romaine or Iceberg lettuce – shredded
sour cream
Click here for full recipe and instructions. Try this with no oil if you’re wanting a less messy taco. Nothing ruins Taco Tuesday faster than stains on your favorite shirt!
Fish Tacos with Amazing Sauce
If beef doesn’t appeal, why not try fish? These fish tacos are pretty good on their own, but the sauce takes the flavor straight into the stratosphere. Fresh, light, and packed full of flavor, these are perfect for a day at the pool or a picnic at the park. The balance of acidity and sweetness from the sauce really brings out the flavor of the fish in the best possible way.
Fish Taco:
24 small white corn tortillas
1 1/2 lb tilapia
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Tbsp Butter
Toppings:
1/2 small purple cabbage
2 medium avocado sliced
2 Roma tomatoes diced (optional)
1/2 diced red onion
1/2 bunch Cilantro longer stems removed
4 oz 1 cup Cotija cheese, grated
1 lime cut into 8 wedges to serve
Sauce:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayo
2 Tbsp lime juice from 1 medium lime
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Sriracha sauce or to taste
Click here for full recipe and instructions. If you want more crunch in your life, try frying the fish! The sauce works perfectly with the fried batter, and it’s become a personal favorite of mine.
Limitless Taco Techniques
Sure, it’s nice having a favorite meal, but it gets boring making the same thing over and over again. Lucky for us, tacos have endless combinations, toppings, and styles! Whether you want mushrooms, beans, or shrimp, these have you covered. Every part can be customized or cooked differently, it’s up to you to decide how exactly you want them.
Crispy Potato Tacos
Fear not those with dietary restrictions, this one is for you. Thanks to their versatility, it’s possible to serve up some delicious tacos, while not only being gluten-free, but vegan too! Thanks to the great toppings and the firmness of the potatoes, neither the animal product nor the gluten will be missed at all. Since everyone can have one, this is a great option when cooking for a crowd.
Ingredients:
2 large russet potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Corn tortillas
Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado, salsa, onion, jalapeno, cilantro
Click here for full recipe and instructions. I highly recommend adding sriracha for a little extra kick in flavor. It doesn’t overwhelm the dish, just adds some amazing flavor!
Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos
If you want to up your game and stand above the rest, these are for you. Slow-cooked pork and tacos are a match made in heaven. Needing very few toppings, these are simply delicious. The sweet sauce it marinates in is absolutely mouthwatering, while the sweet acidity from the lime and onion breaks up the sweet monotony, creating a true depth of flavor. Highly recommended for all you foodies out there!
Ingredients:
3 whole ancho chiles
3 whole pasilla chiles
4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
2 to 3 chipotles in adobo sauce
1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
3 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (untrimmed), cut into chunks
Freshly ground pepper
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving
Assorted taco toppings, for garnish
Click here for full recipe and instructions. Take it even further beyond and add some diced mango to give it some extra fresh fruity flavor. Amazing on its own and guaranteed to impress!
It’s Always Time for Tacos
There’s no reason to save these just for Tuesday! Tacos a fan favorite, and a great part to any day. Whether you like getting creative, making it easy, or eating healthy, these have you taken care of. Make some for dinner one night and watch everyone’s eyes light up when you bring it to the table.