Tacos are taking over as one of the most popular foods in America. And for good reason – they’re customizable, nutritious, and downright delicious. But not all tacos are created equal. From classic beef and chicken to regional varieties, there are a plethora of different taco types to discover.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 of the most common taco varieties and include recipes to make each type at home.
Beef Tacos
When most people think of tacos, the classic ground beef taco likely comes to mind first. Seasoned ground beef makes the simple and satisfying foundation for a beef taco. Sauté the beef with a store-bought seasoning blend or get creative with spices like garlic, onion, cumin, and chili powder. Top with shredded lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, sour cream, or any of your other favorite taco toppings.
Chicken Tacos
For a lighter take on tacos, go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken can be grilled, sautéed, or braised until cooked through then shredded or chopped. To add lots of flavor, marinate the chicken first in a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic, and oregano. Top chicken tacos with fresh veggies like diced avocado, shredded cabbage, diced onion, and cilantro.
Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are a popular regional style that hails from Baja California. They’re typically made with meaty white fish like mahi mahi, cod, or tilapia. Lightly coat the fish in flour, cornmeal, or panko breadcrumbs, then pan-fry until golden brown and cooked through. Serve the fish in warm tortillas topped with crunchy cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, avocado, and a tangy crema sauce. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the finished tacos.
Carnitas Tacos
For a more indulgent taco variety, carnitas is the way to go. Carnitas features braised, shredded pork that has been cooked until ultra-tender and then crisped up to add texture. Typical carnitas seasoning includes garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and onion. Assemble carnitas tacos with chunks of the crispy pork, raw onion slivers, cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing.
Barbacoa Tacos
Similar to carnitas, barbacoa features super tender shredded beef. To make barbacoa, braise beef chuck roast low and slow until fall-apart tender. Shred the beef and season it up with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Barbacoa tacos are simple – just fill tortillas with the flavorful shredded beef, onions, cilantro, and salsa on the side.
Beef Tongue Tacos
Beef tongue might sound unappetizing, but it makes delicious tacos! Beef tongue is very tender with a unique, rich flavor. Boil a whole tongue until tender, peel off the outer layer, then slice or shred the meat. Season with onion, garlic, oregano, and serve in corn tortillas with salsa verde.
Beef Tripe Tacos
Tripe is a more adventurous offal taco filling. Honeycomb tripe is boiled until tender then chopped into small pieces. The rubbery texture takes well to long simmering in a flavorful chili-based salsa. Garnish beef tripe tacos with lime wedges, onion, cilantro.
Breakfast Tacos
Everything is better wrapped in a tortilla, including breakfast! Breakfast tacos are wildly popular in Texas but deserve nationwide appreciation. Fill a warmed flour or corn tortilla with scrambled eggs plus any combination of breakfast meats like bacon, sausage, and ham. Potatoes, cheese, beans, and salsa also make stellar breakfast taco fillings.
Carne Asada Tacos
For an extra beefy taco, try carne asada. Thinly sliced grilled steak is the star here. Grill up skirt, flank, or sirloin steak over high heat until charred outside but still pink inside. Let the steak rest, then slice thinly against the grain. Place the sliced steak in tortillas along with guacamole, grilled onions and peppers, cilantro, and cotija cheese.
Al Pastor Tacos
Al pastor tacos have a fascinating history and unique flavor. Pork is marinated in a blend of dried chilies, vinegar, pineapple, and spices, then cooked on a rotating vertical spit. As the meat cooks, the outer edge gets crispy. Slices are shaved off to order. Al pastor tacos include the flavorful pork, pineapple salsa, onion, and cilantro.
Veggie Tacos
For vegetarians, tacos can still be full of flavor by using vegetables, beans, rice, and cheese as fillings. Try roasted cauliflower or butternut squash, mashed avocado, sautéed peppers and onions, black beans, brown rice, and pepper jack cheese. Queso fresco, goat cheese, and feta also pair well with veggie tacos.
Shrimp Tacos
Down by the ocean, shrimp tacos dominate. Tender grilled shrimp seasoned with lime, garlic, and chili powder is the star ingredient. Crunchy cabbage slaw and creamy avocado balance the briny shrimp. Don’t forget the sliced radish, cilantro, and lime wedges for finishing touches on shrimp tacos.
Taco Tips and Tricks
- Warm the tortillas on the grill or in a hot skillet for 10-15 seconds per side before assembling.
- Double up on tortillas to prevent ripping and leakage.
- Add flavor and moisture with salsa, guacamole, crema, and lime.
- Include different textures with cabbage, onion, radish, cilantro, and avocado.
- Try grilled pineapple, mango, or peach as unique additions.
- Stuff the tacos full but be careful not to overfill.
- For a healthier option, use whole wheat tortillas, veggies as toppings, and leaner proteins like shrimp.
There are so many varieties to try from traditional beef and chicken to more exotic barbacoa and al pastor. Entertain friends with a taco bar and serve up a spread of your favorite proteins, toppings, and salsas. Tacos make wonderful quick weeknight meals, game day grub, and casual party fare. With endless ways to customize, tacos can please all palates. Time to spice up your dinner with tacos!
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this discussion is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or professional advice. Only a qualified health professional can determine what practices are suitable for your individual needs and abilities.