Posted by Tastefully Simple on April 11, 2025
30 Ways to Taco: Recipes, Taco Boards, Toppings and Tips
Tacos are one of life’s ultimate foods, offering a perfect balance of flavors, textures and endless variations. Whether you’re hosting a taco bar for a party, planning a family taco night, or just looking for new taco recipes to spice up your meals, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll dive into 30 mouth-watering ways to taco including recipes, taco prep tips and ideas for creating the ultimate taco bar or taco board.
Why Taco Bars and Taco Boards Are Perfect for Any Event
Taco bars and taco boards have become all the rage for casual gatherings, dinner parties and celebrations. They allow guests to customize their tacos, making them the star of the show. Taco boards are perfect for grazing, with a variety of ingredients, salsas, proteins and toppings. Similarly, taco bars offer an interactive dining experience, encouraging guests to build their own tacos from a spread of delicious fixings.
Now, let’s jump into these 30 taco recipes and ideas, sure to take your taco night to the next level!
A crowd-pleaser and a must-have on any taco bar or board. Ground beef seasoned with Mom’s Favorite Taco Seasoning (clean label, no artificial ingredients), lettuce, shredded cheese and salsa will never disappoint.
Juicy slow cooked chicken, topped with chopped avocado, red onion, shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, create a flavorful taco that’s sure to be a hit.
Slow-cooked pork with a savory blend of spices. Serve with a flavorful Vidalia Onion Slaw. Carnitas are tender, juicy and perfect for taco bars.
Grilled fish fillets with fresh cabbage and a jalapeño salsa bring a refreshing and lighter option to your taco spread.
No need to run for takeout, build your own double decker tacos. They’re perfect when you can’t decide between a hard or soft shell.
- Ground Turkey Tacos
A leaner alternative to ground beef, ground turkey tacos are packed with flavor and can be loaded with your favorite toppings like avocado, sour cream and shredded cheese too.
Tender shrimp cooked in a flavorful seasoning and paired with fresh toppings and a dollop of sour cream. You can add a pineapple salsa for a tropical twist.
Go a little fancy with steak. Top these with a ranch drizzle, broccoli slaw and fresh squeezed lime. Yum!
- Vegetarian Tacos
For a vegetarian option, load up soft corn tortillas with seasoned black beans, roasted vegetables and a sprinkle of queso fresco.
- Sweet Potato Tacos
Roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado and a drizzle of lime crema make for a deliciously hearty vegetarian taco.
A fun street taco inspired twist … ground beef combined with Bayou Bourbon™ Glaze and served in corn tortillas with a slaw mix, queso and cilantro.
This street taco version is delicious showcasing shredded pork sauced with Bayou Bourbon™ Glaze. Top with any of your favorite toppings.
For a healthy taco option, skip the shell and fill a plate with fresh greens, seasoned ground beef or ground turkey, avocado and your favorite salsa.
Build you own potato skins are a fun no gluten option for taco night. Instead of the shell, use potato skins to hold your favorite taco toppings.
Bring a little Asian flair with chicken sauced with Honey Teriyaki Sauce. It’s a fun, unexpected and delicious taco twist.
- Grilled Vegetable Tacos
Roasted bell peppers, zucchini, onions and mushrooms, all grilled to perfection and drizzled with a smoky chipotle sauce, are ideal for your vegetarian guests.
Mahi mahi fish fillets marinated with Fiesta Party Seasoning™, grilled and served in tortillas with a Fiesta Party coleslaw makes for a decadent taco that can add some sophistication to your taco board.
Like your tacos unwrapped? Try this tostada variation that tastes like a taco and eats like a pizza.
This dip is the perfect partner to chips and salsa. It’s so tasty as a taco topper, too!
Scrambled eggs, crispy bacon or chorizo and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, all packed into a soft tortilla. Ideal for a brunch taco bar.
- Taco Board – Build Your Own Tacos
To create the ultimate taco board, feature a mix of proteins such as seasoned ground beef, carnitas, grilled chicken and shrimp. Add a variety of fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, cheese and sour cream. Don’t forget crispy taco shells, soft tortillas and bowls of chips and salsa for dipping!
- Taco Bar with Multiple Sauces
Offer a selection of sauces at your taco bar to elevate the flavors. Include everything from mild salsa to fiery habanero sauce, tangy tomatillo sauce and creamy chipotle ranch.
- Vegan Taco Board
For vegan guests, include options like seasoned lentils, black beans, roasted veggies, avocado and cashew crema. Pair with soft corn tortillas or lettuce wraps for an easy, plant-based taco.
- Taco Bar with Nacho Bar Combo
Take taco night up a notch by adding a nacho bar. Offer tortilla chips, melted cheese, jalapeños and toppings like ground beef, chicken, or pulled pork alongside your taco bar.
- Taco Board with Mexican Street Corn
Add an extra touch to your taco board with a platter of Mexican street corn (elote) sprinkled with the sweet heat of Fiesta Party Seasoning™, lime and cotija cheese for an unforgettable taco feast.
- Breakfast Taco Bar
Create a taco bar with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and all the fixings for a fun brunch. Serve with breakfast potatoes, salsa and guacamole.
- Taco Salad Bar
Make your own taco salad by offering a variety of greens, proteins (like grilled chicken, beef and beans), shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream. Serve with crunchy tortilla chips and a drizzle of zesty dressing.
- Soft vs. Hard Tacos – Offer Both!
When setting up a taco bar or board, make sure you have both soft flour tortillas and crispy corn taco shells. Some guests prefer the crunch, while others enjoy the soft texture.
- Taco Board with Mexican Chocolate Cake Dessert
Finish off your taco board with a sweet touch – serve a cinnamon infused chocolate cake for a delightful taco-inspired dessert!
- Taco Prep: Make-Ahead Tips for Your Taco Bar
To save time on the day of your taco gathering, prep your taco fillings and toppings ahead of time. Cook proteins, chop veggies and prepare salsas the day before. This way, when guests arrive, all you need to do is set up the taco bar and enjoy!
Taco Prep Tips for Maximum Flavor and Easy Clean-Up
- Make-Ahead Proteins: Cook your taco fillings (like ONE Pot Carnitas or Mom’s Favorite Taco Meat) the day before for richer, more developed flavors.
- Prep Fresh Toppings: Chop fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro in advance.
- Choose a Variety of Toppings: Offer a mix of textures and flavors, from creamy Giddyup Guacamole to Corn, Black Bean Salsa and crunchy pickled onions or chopped jalapeños.
- Warm Your Tortillas: Always heat your tortillas before serving. It makes them more pliable and enhances the overall taco experience.
- Clean and Organize: Make taco prep easier by using small bowls for each topping and keep everything organized. This minimizes mess and allows guests to build their tacos quickly.
Final Thoughts on Taco Bars and Taco Recipes
Tacos are one of the most versatile and fun foods to prepare, and they can be customized for every taste and dietary preference. Whether you’re crafting a simple taco recipe or building an elaborate taco board, these ideas are guaranteed to please your guests. Taco bars and taco boards make it easy to create a festive and interactive dining experience, while also offering endless possibilities for flavor combinations.
So, the next time you’re hosting a gathering or looking to spice up your meal prep, consider one of these 30 delicious taco recipes and prep tips. Your taco night will surely be a hit!