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Home · Cuisine · Tex-Mex | Mexican Food · The Best Taco Recipes for Taco Night

Published: May 1, 2025 by Morgan Sheen · Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

The Best Taco Recipes for Taco Night

Whether you're a die-hard Taco Tuesday fan or just looking for an excuse to pile delicious things into a tortilla, you’ve landed in the right spot. This taco roundup is stuffed with mouthwatering recipes that are easy to make, fun to eat, and packed with bold flavors. From classic beef to shrimp to pork and chicken, there's a taco here with your name on it—so grab the guac and let’s dive in!

I've developed nearly a thousand made-from-scratch recipes, but tacos hold a permanent spot at the top of my list. If you ask me where I want to eat out, it's Tex-Mex 100% of the time. Mexican food has had my heart since childhood, and recreating those same crave-worthy flavors at home is something I take seriously. Every recipe in this collection has been tested and approved by both myself, family, and friends we've shared them with.

A close up of a taco de Barbacoa with cilantro and onions on top

1. Tacos de Barbacoa

Tacos de barbacoa are the slow-cooked, flavor-packed beauties your taco dreams are made of! We're talking tender, juicy beef that's been simmered to perfection with bold spices, then piled into warm tortillas and topped with fresh onions, cilantro, and a splash of lime. They’re rich, savory, and totally irresistible—basically the taco equivalent of a mic drop.

Shrimp Tacos with slaw on a corn tortilla with cilantro garnish and lime in the background.

2. Tacos de Camaron

Tacos de camaron are the seafood sensation that’ll have you hooked from the first bite! These shrimp tacos are fresh, flavorful, and oh-so-tasty, with juicy jumbo shrimp seasoned to perfection and tucked into warm corn tortillas. Add shredded cabbage, a spoonful of creamy chipotle sauce, and a squeeze of lime, and you’ve got a bite of heaven that’ll transport you straight to the coast.

3 chicken fajita tacos on a white plate with lime wedges and cilantro off to the side.

3. Chicken Fajita Tacos

Chicken fajita tacos are bringing the sizzle—and the flavor! Packed with juicy, seasoned chicken, colorful bell peppers, and caramelized onions, these tacos are basically a fiesta wrapped in a tortilla. They're smoky, zesty, and totally customizable, so you can pile on the toppings and make them your own.

Overhead shot of bacon and egg Breakfast Tacos with avocado, cilantro, jalapenos, and grated cheddar cheese on flour tortillas.

4. Breakfast Tacos

Who says tacos are just for dinner? Breakfast tacos are here to shake up your morning routine in the most delicious way! Scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and maybe a little salsa or avocado—all snuggled into a warm tortilla. They're quick, customizable, and guaranteed to make you way more excited to get out of bed, especially topped with queso!

5. Chicken Street Tacos

Chicken street tacos are the tiny-but-mighty heroes of taco night! Juicy, marinated chicken seasoned with our homemade chicken taco seasoning, tucked into warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime—what’s not to love? They’re simple, zesty, and perfect for feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to a flavor-packed fiesta in every bite.

Tacos al Carbon on a white plate with shredded lettuce and pico beside it.

6. Tacos al Carbon

Tacos al carbon are all about juicy, marinated beef, cooked to perfection, and tucked into warm tortillas. They're bursting with flavor from our cilantro-lime marinade that’ll have you feeling like you just stepped into your favorite Tex-Mex joint. Add a squeeze of lime and a scoop of pico, and you’ve got yourself a beefy fiesta in every bite!

A close up of Baked Tacos still in the pan, with a small dish of pico de Gallo in with them and a chopped cilantro garnish.

7. Baked Tacos

Baked tacos are crispy, cheesy, no-fuss, and they are so perfect for weeknights! Just load up hard taco shells with your favorite fillings—seasoned meat, beans, and plenty of cheese—then pop them in the oven until everything’s melty and golden. They’re crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd without the stovetop mess.

A close up shot of Shredded Chicken Tacos on a white plate with cilantro and lime off to the side. The tacos are topped with sliced jalapenos, sour cream, pico de gallo, and cilantro.

8. Shredded Chicken Tacos

Shredded chicken tacos equals the ultimate comfort food in a toasted little package! Tender, slow-cooked chicken soaks up all the juicy flavor, making every bite savory and totally irresistible. Pile it high with your favorite toppings—think crisp lettuce, pico, and a dollop of sour cream—and you've got the chicken taco of your dreams.

Close up of Birria Tacos with cilantro and a bowl of guajillo sauce on the side

9. Beef Birria Tacos

Beef birria tacos are a fan favorite in the taco world—bold, cheesy, and dripping with flavor! These beauties are stuffed with tender, slow-braised beef, loaded with melty cheese, and pan-fried until perfectly crispy. But the real magic? The slow cooker does the majority of the work for you. They're messy, they're mouthwatering, and they totally live up to the hype!

A close up shot of a brisket taco in a taco holder.

10. Smoked Brisket Tacos

Those BBQ beef brisket leftovers are begging for this smoked brisket taco recipe! These showstoppers are what your dinner lineup has been waiting for! Packed with tender, slow-cooked beef that practically melts in your mouth, these tacos are all about bold flavor and big bites. Toss on some chopped tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro, add a little shredded cheese and a drizzle of crema, and boom—your taste buds are throwing a party and brisket's the guest of honor!

Chicken Birria Tacos on a plate with guajillo sauce

11. Chicken Birria Tacos

Chicken birria tacos are where authentic, rich, savory flavor meets crispy, cheesy goodness—and your taste buds get a front-row seat to the show! These tacos are stuffed with tender, spiced chicken, loaded with melty cheese, then pan-fried to golden perfection. Don’t forget the star of the show: that irresistible consommé for dipping. It’s messy, it’s bold, and it’s totally worth licking your fingers for!

A carne asada taco topped with crumbled cheese, cilantro, and white onion, wrapped in a corn tortilla.

12. Carne Asada Tacos

These beefy carne asada tacos are as simple as it gets! Grilled to perfection, the juicy, charred flank steak is sliced up and nestled in warm tortillas, ready to be topped with all your favorite fixings—think white onion, fresh cilantro, tangy lime, and guac. They’re bold, smoky, and guaranteed to put a big smile on your face with every bite. It’s like a backyard BBQ in taco form!

An overhead view of two Shrimp Fajitas with lime wedges on the side. The tortillas are packed with succulent shrimp, vibrant green and red bell peppers, and onion.

13. Shrimp Fajitas

Ready to get your sizzle on? These Shrimp Fajitas are everything your tastebuds have craving...and then a little bit more. No marinade necessary. Just a quick-fix shrimp taco recipe that comes equipped with all the fixings. Juicy succulent shrimp, bell peppers, and onion served with corn or flour tortillas -- it's the total fajita taco package.

ground turkey tacos

14. Ground Turkey Tacos

This is the recipe my kids ask for on repeat. Ground turkey tacos are the lighter, leaner twist on taco night—without skimping on flavor! Seasoned to perfection, ground turkey is juicy and packed with all the taco goodness you crave. Pile it into a crunchy shell and load it up with your favorite toppings—lettuce, cheese, salsa, guac, you name it! They’re delicious, satisfying, and the perfect way to enjoy taco night without the guilt.

A fajita taco full of steak, rolled up.

15. Fajita Tacos

Turns out, you don't have to visit your favorite Mexican restaurant to get top-notch fajita tacos! Tender, marinated chicken or beef is sautéed with sizzling bell peppers and onions, creating a mouthwatering mix of smoky, zesty goodness. When you top them off with a squeeze of lime, a bit of salsa, and maybe some creamy guac, you're in for a taco experience next to rice and beans that's as fun to eat as it is to make.

Mexican Dorados de Papa on a platter with a crispy potato filling.

16. Crispy Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)

Crispy potato tacos are a deliciously unexpected twist on taco night! Golden, crispy potatoes get all cozy in a warm tortilla, then top it off with fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of cheese, and a drizzle of crema, and you’ve got a taco that’s both comforting and crunchy. They’re perfect for meatless Mondays or just when you’re craving something hearty, savory, and totally addictive!

A taco de pollo with peppers and onion and fresh cilantro.

17. Tacos de Pollo

Tacos de pollo are the perfect combo of juicy, tender chicken and taco goodness! Chicken thighs get coated in the best taco seasoning, and tossed in the pan to sizzle to perfection with peppers and onions. Top them off with fresh salsa or a little spicy crema, and you've got a taco that’s easy to love and even easier to eat. Light, delicious, and totally customizable!

Pulled Pork Tacos

18. Pulled Pork Tacos

Pulled pork tacos are smoky, saucy, and what chipotle taco dreams are made of! Slow-cooked until it’s fall-apart tender, the pork gets piled high into tortillas and topped with crunchy slaw, a drizzle of BBQ sauce or spicy salsa, and maybe a few pickled onions for good measure. They’re messy, mouthwatering, and guaranteed to disappear fast—so grab a napkin and dive in!

Crock-pot Chicken Tacos

19. Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos

Crock-pot chicken tacos are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner win! Just toss in your chicken, spices, and a tangy sauce similar to ranchero sauce, and let the slow cooker work its magic. Hours later, you’ve got juicy, flavorful chicken ready to shred and stuff into tortillas with all your favorite toppings. It’s effortless, delicious, and perfect for busy days when you still want taco night to bring the flavor party!

Chipotle Pork Tacos

20. Chipotle Pork Tacos

When pork loin roast is on the menu, so are chipotle pork tacos! The leftovers are just what your busy weeknights need, and they are insanely delicious. Marinated in a chipotle dressing, cooked to perfection, then topped with fresh cabbage, avocado slices, and if you're feeling super fancy, a chipotle aioli! Taco night just went to the next level.

Southwest chopped chicken salad ingredients

21. Southwest Chicken Salad Tacos

Southwest chicken salad tacos are the fresh, crunchy, and flavor-packed. Juicy shredded chicken gets tossed with black beans, corn, diced peppers, and a creamy, cilantro lime dressing—then scooped into crispy taco shells or soft tortillas for the perfect handheld bite. They’re cool, crisp, and totally satisfying, making them a fun and lighter way to fiesta!

A close up of two Crockpot Chicken Fajitas sitting on a white plate with lime wedges on the side.

22. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Not to be confused with the chicken crockpot recipe about, Crockpot Chicken Fajitas comes with built in veggies for the total dinnertime package. Serve with toasted tortillas, guac, and limes on the side for the easiest fajita/taco night you've ever experienced.

Close up shot of carnitas tacos topped with white onion and cilantro.

23. Carnitas

These succulent, mouthwatering Carnitas Tacos are about as authentic as it gets -- and easy too. Bite-sized pieces of tender pork equipped with perfectly crispy edges gets rolled in a tortilla and topped with chopped cilantro and diced onion. Don't forget the limes on the side, and dig in to your new favorite pork taco recipe!

A closeup view of taco salad with tomatoes, chips, lettuce, ground beef, and avocado

24. Easy Taco Salad

It tastes like a taco and kind of looks like one too -- we're definitely counting it! Healthy Taco Salad is everything you love about taco night without the tortilla. It comes loaded with crisp veggies like chopped Romaine, tomatoes, avocado, and more. Then, load it extra heavy with taco meat and dress it up just the way you like. Salsa, cilantro-lime dressing, or chipotle ranch -- take your pick (they're all delicious) and get ready to enjoy your new favorite [taco] salad!

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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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