12 Authentic Taco Recipes You Have to Try
Updated: Jan. 25, 2024
Whether you prefer shredded chicken, lentils or flaky pieces of cod, one thing's for certain: tacos are not just for Tuesdays! We're sharing the most authentic taco recipes for you to eat every day of the week.
Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa
Amber Massey from Argyle, Texas knows a thing or two about making tacos. And you can’t beat the convenience of preparing this tender pork filling in the slow cooker. “These are by far the best pork tacos we’ve had,” she says. “And we’ve tried plenty.” Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time.
Beer Battered Baja Fish Tacos
For a quick weeknight meal, check out this fish taco recipe from Muy Bueno Cookbook that comes together in just 15 minutes. According to blogger Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, the key to getting your batter light and crispy is beer—while she prefers a dark ale like Negra Modelo, any Mexican beer like Victoria or Leon will do. Can’t find cod? Here’s a list of the best fish you can use for fish tacos.
Lentil Tacos
Perfect for Meatless Monday, this plant-based authentic taco recipe by Michelle Thomas of Bangor, Maine showcases an underrated protein powerhouse: lentils. Not only do lentils benefit your body—they’re low in fat yet rich in fiber and protein—but these versatile legumes are an environmentally friendly dinner pick as well. Are you considering adopting a plant-based diet? Here are things you should know before you give up meat.
Slow-Cooker Oxtail Tacos
In need of some comfort food? This addition of slow-cooker braised oxtail tacos to our roundup of authentic taco recipes may be just what the doctor ordered. Cooked on low for over eight hours in a freshly made salsa verde sauce, these oxtail tacos by Vianney Rodriguez of Sweet Life are flavorful, filling and nothing short of spectacular. For an added bite, Rodriguez recommends garnishing the tacos with a few slices of red radish before eating.
Air-Fryer Fried Avocado Tacos
Who says avocados are only for guacamole? Topped with a tart and fresh homemade coleslaw, these air-fryer avocado tacos by Julie Peterson of Crofton, Maryland, are quick to whip up on short notice. “These juicy, flavorful, easy and healthy tacos are for those who are huge fans of avocado,” she says. Believe the hype—here are the benefits of eating avocado every day.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Take the hassle out of weekday meal prep with this perfectly seasoned chicken taco recipe by Isabel Eats. Thanks to the Instant Pot, you’ll have dinner on your plate in under an hour. Blogger Isabel Orozco-Moore recommends using boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for more flavor. Just bought a new pressure cooker? Here’s how to get the most out of your Instant Pot.
Beef Birria Tacos
Turn your kitchen into a taqueria with this authentic taco recipe by Ericka Sanchez. Commonly served at celebrations in Jalisco, birra is a hearty stew made by marinating chunks of meat in an aromatic red chile broth for several hours. First popularized in food trucks and taco stalls across Southern California, birria tacos are first filled with the tender shreds of meat, then dipped into the red sauce and fried up, resulting in an unforgettable meal. Short on time? Ericka recommends cooking the beef in the Instant Pot for similar fall-off-the-bone tender meat results in a fraction of the time.
Cod Crispy Fish Tacos
Also known as pescadillas, these crispy fish tacos are a popular dish served in coastal cities like Tampico and Veracruz, where seafood reigns supreme. This authentic taco recipe by blogger Mely Martinez of Mexico in My Kitchen braises cod in a spiced tomato sauce until tender and flaky. The resulting filling is then stuffed into tortillas and deep-fried to perfection. To complete your hearty taco night meal, Mely recommends serving with shredded cabbage, pickled onions and a quick homemade red salsa.
Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos
It’s time to fire up the grill! Kick off BBQ season with this quick and most importantly, flavorful, grilled onion and skirt steak recipe by Adan Franco. For a more intense flavor, choose a full-bodied beer to use in your marinade—a porter, stout or dark ale are all great options.
Potato and Spinach Tacos with Queso Fresco
It’s hard to believe these veg-friendly tacos by blogger Nancy Lopez-McHugh of Mexican Made Meatless requires just 30 minutes to come together. Bursting with flavor and freshness, Nancy recommends serving this authentic taco recipe with a side of homemade refried beans and grilled chile peppers.
Shrimp Tacos
Ready in just 30 minutes, these air-fryer popcorn shrimp tacos by Julie Peterson combine all the classic flavors of an authentic taco recipe in a fun, new way. “To make them low-carb, use lettuce instead of tortillas,” she suggests. New to the world of air frying? Here’s our simple trick for perfectly golden air fryer food every time.
Tacos Al Pastor
Typically cooked on a vertical spit known as a trompo, tacos al pastor were first introduced to Mexico in the 1930s by Lebanese immigrants moving to the east-central town of Puebla. Don’t have a trompo or this vertical rotating oven? Charbel Barker of My Latina Table offers an easy solution in her recreation of this authentic taco recipe—tender pieces of well-marinated pork loin are first grilled before being stacked and cut into thin shreds. Short on time? Here are the best store-bought salsas to use at home.
Originally Published: May 29, 2021
