10+ Taco Tuesday Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Meals

Taco Tuesday is honestly one of the best excuses to break out some fun and flavor at dinner. Whether you’re into classic tacos or want to try something a little wild, there are plenty of easy ways to make it happen.

You can whip up tasty tacos at home with just a few ingredients and some basic steps.

It’s nice having a few go-to taco recipes in your back pocket. You don’t have to spend ages in the kitchen to enjoy a solid meal.

With the right ideas, Taco Tuesday can easily become a regular thing you look forward to.

1) Classic Ground Beef Tacos

If you want to keep Taco Tuesday simple but delicious, classic ground beef tacos are a solid pick. Cook up some beef with onions and a handful of spices—think chili powder, garlic, and a little cayenne for heat.

Once you’ve got your beef ready, just fill up your taco shells and pile on whatever toppings you like. Shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, maybe some avocado or sour cream if you’re feeling it.

This recipe comes together fast and hits that weeknight craving. The homemade taco seasoning really makes it pop.

Ingredients

• 2 lb ground beef
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 4 tsp chili powder
• Taco shells
• Toppings (cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, avocado)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft.
3. Toss in the ground beef and cook until browned.
4. Stir in salt, pepper, cayenne, and chili powder. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Warm up taco shells as the package says.
6. Fill shells with beef and add your favorite toppings.

2) Slow-Cooker Carnitas

Slow-cooker carnitas are awesome for getting super tender, flavorful pork with barely any work. Start with pork shoulder, season it with cumin, garlic, and chili powder, and let it cook low and slow.

After hours in the slow cooker, the pork gets juicy and shreds easily. Broil the shredded meat for a few minutes if you want those crispy edges—trust me, it’s worth it.

Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, cilantro, and lime. This one’s simple but always hits the spot.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then rub all over the pork.
2. Put pork in slow cooker and pour in orange juice and chicken broth.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork shreds easily.
4. Shred pork with forks.
5. Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet.
6. Broil at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes to crisp up the edges.
7. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

Check out this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas recipe if you want more details.

3) Spinach, Shrimp, and Ricotta Tacos

These tacos are a wild card, but in a good way. Shrimp, spinach, and creamy ricotta come together for something mild, fresh, and just a little different.

Cooking the shrimp with garlic and green chiles gives a gentle kick, while ricotta keeps things smooth. If you want to shake up your usual taco lineup, these are a nice change.

They’re quick to make, too. Warm up some tortillas, throw on a little cilantro, and you’re good.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1 small green chile, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 small tortillas

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium.
2. Add garlic and green chile, cook for a minute.
3. Toss in shrimp, cook 3-4 minutes until pink.
4. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Take off heat, mix in ricotta and cilantro.
6. Warm tortillas.
7. Spoon shrimp mixture into tortillas and serve.

Want the full scoop? Here’s the Spinach, Shrimp and Ricotta Tacos recipe.

4) Breakfast Tacos with Eggs and Chorizo

Breakfast tacos with eggs and chorizo are a bold way to kick off your morning. Chorizo brings the heat, and eggs keep things soft and filling.

Cook up the chorizo first, then scramble the eggs right in the same pan to soak up all that flavor. Add cheese, cilantro, or a little sour cream if you’re feeling fancy.

Warm tortillas make everything better. These come together fast, so you can even make them for a lazy brunch.

Try tossing in diced potatoes or a spoonful of salsa if you want to switch it up.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Mexican-style chorizo
• 12 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 small tortillas
• Optional: shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook chorizo in a pan over medium until browned.
2. Beat eggs with salt.
3. Pour eggs into the pan and scramble with the chorizo until cooked through.
4. Warm tortillas.
5. Fill with chorizo and eggs.
6. Top with cheese, cilantro, or sour cream if you want.

5) Taco Tuesday Casserole

Taco Tuesday casserole is for anyone who wants all the taco flavors without the assembly line. Layer tortillas or chips with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and maybe some beans or corn if you’re into that.

Bake it until the cheese is gooey and the edges crisp up. Toss on some sour cream, diced tomatoes, or avocado after baking for a fresh bite.

The spices—chili powder, cumin, garlic—bring a lot of flavor. Want a full recipe? Check out Taco Tuesday Casserole Recipe – Allrecipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 6 flour tortillas or tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup canned corn (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Brown beef and onion in a skillet.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Layer tortillas or chips in a baking dish.
5. Spread half the meat on top.
6. Sprinkle with half the cheese and corn (if using).
7. Repeat with the rest.
8. Bake 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
9. Let it cool a bit before serving.

6) Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa

Pork tacos with mango salsa are bright and a little unexpected. Juicy pork meets sweet, tangy mango salsa for a combo that just works.

Warm up some corn tortillas, fill them with pulled pork, and pile on the salsa. Avocado or cabbage make great extra toppings if you want crunch or creaminess.

These come together quickly, especially if you prep ahead. Try grilling the pork or using leftover carnitas for a twist.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pulled pork
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Avocado slices (optional)
• Shredded cabbage (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm tortillas in a pan or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
2. Mix mango, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice for the salsa.
3. Heat the pulled pork.
4. Fill tortillas with pork, then top with salsa.
5. Add avocado and cabbage if you feel like it.
6. Serve right away and dig in!

Want more ideas? Here’s a pork tacos with mango salsa recipe.

7) Chicken Fajita Tacos with Bell Peppers

Chicken fajita tacos are always a crowd-pleaser. Cook strips of chicken with bell peppers and onions for a colorful, healthy taco filling.

Sauté everything in a pan with chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Warm up your tortillas and top with cheese or salsa if you’re into it.

If you want crispy edges, try the air fryer or roast everything on a sheet pan. This meal is fast—about 30 minutes—and super adaptable.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 3 bell peppers, sliced (mix up the colors!)
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chicken strips, cook until no longer pink, around 6-8 minutes.
3. Add bell peppers and onions, cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes.
5. Warm tortillas.
6. Fill them with the chicken and pepper mix.
7. Top as you like, then serve.

Want to roast everything together? Throw it in the oven at 400°F (205°C) for 20 minutes.

Get more details here: Chicken Fajita Tacos recipe.

8) Black Bean and Corn Vegetarian Tacos

Black bean and corn tacos hit the spot for a meat-free Taco Tuesday. The sweet corn and hearty black beans make these tacos pretty satisfying.

I love tossing corn with lime juice for a zesty, fresh kick. Warm tortillas really bring it all together, especially with some sliced jalapeño or crunchy radishes thrown in.

Avocado and feta? Absolutely—those add creaminess and a little richness.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh or canned corn
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or vegan alternative
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 6 small tortillas
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat tortillas in a pan or oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm.
2. Mix corn with lime juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Warm black beans in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Fill each tortilla with black beans and corn mixture.
5. Top with jalapeño, avocado, and feta.
6. Serve immediately.

If you want more fresh taco ideas, check out this recipe.

9) Street-Style Fish Tacos with Slaw

Street-style fish tacos are always a good call for Taco Tuesday. You get crispy, seasoned fish tucked into warm corn tortillas.

The cabbage slaw gives a satisfying crunch and a little tang that just works. I usually whip up the slaw with shredded cabbage, chopped cilantro, mayo, lime juice, and a drizzle of honey.

It’s creamy and zippy, perfect with the fish.

You can throw on avocado, salsa, or jalapeño if you want to mix things up.

Ingredients

• White fish fillets (like cod or tilapia)
• Corn tortillas
• 3 cups shredded cabbage
• ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the fish in a pan over medium heat until done, about 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Mix cabbage, cilantro, mayo, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper to make slaw.
4. Warm tortillas in a dry pan or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes.
5. Assemble tacos by placing fish on tortillas and topping with slaw.

10) Soft and Hard Shell Combo Tacos

Let’s be honest—sometimes taco night needs a little spark. That’s where soft and hard shell combo tacos come in.

Grab a soft flour tortilla and spread some refried beans on it. Then, wrap it around a crunchy hard taco shell stuffed with seasoned ground beef.

You get both soft and crunchy in every bite. Toss on some cheese, lettuce, and maybe a spoonful of salsa.

Making these is a breeze. They’re perfect when you want something different but still easy.

You can even swap the ground beef for turkey or beans if that’s more your style.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can refried beans
• 6 soft flour tortillas
• 6 hard taco shells
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup chopped lettuce
• Salsa (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground meat in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Stir in the taco seasoning and a splash of water, then cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Warm up the refried beans in a small pot or just pop them in the microwave.
4. Spread beans on each soft tortilla.
5. Fill the hard shells with meat and tuck them inside the soft tortillas.
6. Sprinkle on cheese, lettuce, and salsa if you want.
7. Serve right away.