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Taco Tuesday Ideas

Your favorite night of the week just got a whole lot more delicious with these amazing Taco Tuesday recipes! Whether you’re looking for traditional tacos, creative ideas, easy slow cooker recipes and more, you’ll find it all here. 

A collage of photos with taco Tuesday recipes.
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Best Taco Recipe Ideas

If you know me, you know that Tuesday’s are my favorite night of the week for dinner. Why, you ask? Taco Tuesday! Having a day during the week that’s dedicated to my absolute favorite Mexican dinner is like a dream come true. Give me ALL the tacos!

There are so many fun ways to make them and with this amazing list of Taco Tuesday recipes, you’ll never get bored! Serve in a tortilla, make a salad or bowl, or set up an easy taco bar when hosting a dinner party. Any of these meal ideas are bound to be a hit!

Assembling Your Tacos

The best part about making tacos is that there are so many delicious ways to enjoy them. Once you’ve chosen a base, the type of meat you’d like and your favorite seasoning, then it’s time to get started. Sometimes I even take a shortcut and use leftover rotisserie chicken!

  • Base: The traditional base is a corn or flour tortilla. You can use a lettuce wrap to keep it light, or use other fun ideas like Indian fry bread or even Doritos to make a walking taco.
  • Meat: There are so many different types of meat to choose from. Keep it classic with ground beef taco meat, or use shredded chicken, steak, carnitas or sweet pork. You can even use seafood like shrimp or tilapia.
  • Seasoning: Don’t forget to season your meat for extra flavor! Taco seasoning or fajita seasoning both work great. Feel free to add in a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro or a dash of hot sauce or red chili flakes.

Toppings and Condiments

Next comes the toppings! You can use as many or as little as you’d like. I’m a toppings girl, so I especially love to load up mine with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream and some sliced avocado. The options are endless!

Side Dishes for Taco Tuesday

Tacos are filling (especially with lots of toppings), so you don’t necessarily need a Mexican side dish. But if you’re serving a crowd or want to make sure you have enough leftovers for the next day, try serving them with one of the delicious sides below.

FAQs

What do you serve at a taco Tuesday party?

Besides a variety of tacos which is a given, try black bean salsa, avocado salsa, seven layer dip or pick a few of these Mexican appetizers!

Why are tacos eaten on Tuesday?

The story is that the tradition started in 1989 and was trademarked by the popular taco chain “Taco John’s”. It’s not only a catchy phrase but a great way to satisfy your taco cravings!

What to serve as a side dish with tacos?

Other than the above listed side dishes you can try guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican street corn salad and refried beans.

Traditional Tacos + Slow Cooker Tacos

These are all of the tried and true taco recipes that you would see on the menu at your favorite Mexican restaurant. The beauty of these recipes is that they are easier, less expensive and some can even be made in the crockpot!

Ground beef tacos stacked in dish.

Healthy Taco Dinners

For a lighter alternative, try swapping the classic tortillas for a lettuce wrap or some chopped greens. You can also keep the toppings healthy with some fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, grilled corn and a dollop of greek yogurt. Healthy tacos don’t have to be boring!

Taco salad recipe in a bowl.

Creative Taco Night Ideas

If there’s one meal that I could eat every day and never get sick of, it’s TACOS! I love all things Mexican food (chips and salsa, enchiladas, taquitos), but especially love tacos. I just can’t get enough of the crispy tortillas, seasoned meat and flavorful toppings.

If you’re looking for a fun way to spruce up Taco Tuesday, try any of these delicious and creative ideas below. These aren’t your traditional recipes, but they will definitely make their way into your list of favorites!

sliced taco braid with tomatoes and lettuce
  • Taco Braid. When some of the family wants pizza and the other tacos, make this to satisfy everyone!
  • Walking Taco. Not just for a school lunch of the concession stand, these tacos are a favorite to make at home!
  • Easy Navajo Tacos Recipe. Make homemade fry bread for this delicious Southwest version of a taco.
  • Taco Pockets. Family friendly and a delicious spin on a taco!
  • Breakfast Tacos. Eat them for breakfast, eat them at dinner, it doesn’t matter the time of the day, they are delicious no matter the time of day you eat them.
  • Taco Cups. Make them for a an appetizer on taco Tuesday or enjoy them as meal!

Other Fun Taco Variations

Reinvention has never been so delicious. Why not take all of the same yummy flavors and create a totally new dish? Your family will never get bored of Taco Tuesday with these fun variations.

Bowl of taco soup with toppings.

The Full List of Taco Tuesday Recipes

Don’t let just Tuesday stop you from enjoying Taco tuesday recipes any night of the week! These are the best taco ideas from traditional to creative. Customize them to how you like and enjoy.

Ground beef tacos stacked in dish.
Ground Beef Tacos
Crispy and delicious tacos filled with homemade taco meat and all your favorite toppings. These easy ground beef tacos are a simple family meal loaded with flavor and ready in just 20 minutes! 
Total Time: 20 minutes
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steak tacos on white plate
Steak Taco Recipe
Celebrate taco night with these juicy steak tacos! Coated in a a flavorful marinade, then served with warm tortillas and all your favorite toppings. A delicious dinner idea that will be on repeat! 
Total Time: 52 minutes
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carnitas tacos on a taco holder stand
Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
These slow cooker carnitas are super easy to make and taste great in tacos, nachos, enchiladas or burritos! So tender and full of flavor.
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
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sweet pork tacos on a white plate
Slow Cooker Sweet Pork
This slow cooker sweet pork is made with 5 ingredients and only takes 5 minutes of prep work! Tastes great in tacos, burritos, salads and enchiladas! 
Total Time: 8 hours
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Ranch Chicken Tacos
A tried and true family favorite recipe that takes just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep! Quick, easy and healthy. These ranch chicken tacos are so juicy, tender and full of flavor!
Total Time: 6 hours
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Carnitas meat on corn tortilla.
Carnitas Tacos Recipe
Juicy carnitas tacos are restaurant-worthy with tender pork that has the best crispy edges. Make your carnitas easily in the Instant Pot then load up your taco shell with favorite toppings.
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
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Bang bang shrimp taco on a white platter.
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Throw away the takeout menu and enjoy making these bang bang shrimp tacos at home! Crispy fried shrimp are tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy sauce and then piled into corn tortillas and topped with crunchy cabbage. Dinner is ready in under 30 minutes!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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shredded beef taco recipe
Shredded Beef Tacos
These shredded beef tacos are a great meal for busy school nights. They are so simple – the slow cooker does all the work for you. The whole family will love them!
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
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Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Tacos - 5 minutes to prep and it tastes like it came from a Mexican restaurant!
Crockpot Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
A delicious crockpot chicken tinga tacos recipe that tastes like it came straight from a Mexican restaurant. So easy and only takes 5 minutes to prep. These tinga tacos are authentic and amazing!
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
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skirt steak taco with lime and cilantro
Skirt Steak Tacos
These skirt steak tacos are an explosion of bold flavors and the perfect way to enjoy tender slices of marinated steak. No more chasing the taco trucks, now you can make the ultimate Mexican street food at home! 
Total Time: 25 minutes
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bbq chicken tacos on plate
BBQ Chicken Tacos
Warm corn tortillas loaded with tangy BBQ chicken, black beans salsa, fresh cilantro and a drizzle of cilantro lime dressing. These easy BBQ chicken tacos are made in just 15 minutes and are the perfect dinner to serve your family on Taco Tuesday! 
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Instant Pot chicken tacos are made with a handful of ingredients and about 40 minutes of your time, whether you're using fresh or frozen chicken. Perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken ready for taco night any day of the week!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Fish tacos on a wooden board.
Tilapia Fish Tacos
Ready in 40 minutes, these tilapia fish tacos are light, refreshing, and super flavorful. Loaded with seasoned flaked fish, crunchy cabbage, Cojita cheese, and a delicious creamy, tangy fish sauce, this Mexican-inspired recipe has it all!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Flank taco with avocado on top.
Flank Steak Tacos
Flank steak tacos are an easy-to-prepare weeknight meal packed full of flavor. The meat is marinated in citrus, garlic, and spices and then grilled for just a few minutes. Then piled high onto corn tortillas and topped with your choice of delicious toppings!
Total Time: 1 hour
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Taco salad recipe in a bowl.
Taco Salad Recipe
How to make a delicious and easy taco salad recipe that is ready in just 20 minutes! Filled with chopped greens, seasoned ground beef, rice, corn, beans, tomatoes and your favorite salad dressing, it's a flavorful dinner that whole family will love.  
Total Time: 20 minutes
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chicken taco salad with salsa ranch dressing in a white bowl
Chicken Taco Salad
Shredded chicken taco salad loaded with lettuce, black beans, grilled corn, avocado, tomatoes and bell peppers. Topped with a creamy salsa ranch dressing. Simple, flavorful and delicious!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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lettuce cup with taco meat and pico de gallo
Taco Lettuce Wraps
Taco lettuce wraps are a healthy, flavorful and delicious protein packed, low-carb alternative to traditional tacos. They're paleo, gluten-free and an easy Whole 30 recipe!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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taco bowl with toppings
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl Recipe
Easy instant pot chicken taco bowls that take just 5 minutes of prep. A family favorite meal idea that's perfect for busy weeknights. Just simply dump and go! 
Total Time: 30 minutes
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walking taco in a dorito bag
Walking Taco Recipe
Walking tacos are a simple and delicious dinner idea with hardly any clean up. Your favorite taco meat and toppings served in a bag of Fritos or Doritos. These tacos are perfect for parties and potlucks! 
Total Time: 15 minutes
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navajo taco with hamburger and sour cream
Navajo Taco Recipe
Easy and delicious Navajo tacos made with crispy fry bread and loaded with your favorite taco toppings. A tasty dinner that the whole family will love! 
Total Time: 30 minutes
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taco pocket on white plate
Taco Pockets
These easy taco pockets are made with a flaky pie crust, seasoned taco meat, colby-jack cheese and fresh salsa. A super flavorful and delicious recipe that makes a great appetizer, afternoon snack or easy dinner idea. 
Total Time: 40 minutes
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mexican breakfast taco with toppings
Breakfast Tacos
Turn a popular dinner idea into a breakfast favorite with these Mexican breakfast tacos. Easily made in just 15 minutes and perfect for serving a crowd! 
Total Time: 15 minutes
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taco cups on white plate
Taco Cups
Layers of crispy wonton wrappers, seasoned taco meat with chili beans, melted cheese and a flavorful salsa ranch dressing. These mini taco cups are the perfect Mexican appetizer for your next party!
Total Time: 50 minutes
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sliced taco braid with tomatoes and lettuce
Taco Braid
A taco braid is pizza dough stuffed with cheesy saucy taco filling which makes for a quick and easy crowd-pleasing way to satisfy everyone's pizza and taco cravings in one go!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Bowl of taco soup with toppings.
Taco Soup Recipe
This easy taco soup recipe is hearty with the best Mexican-inspired taco flavors! Simple to prep in one pot in only 10 minutes.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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taco casserole
Taco Casserole
This taco casserole is made with layers of tortilla chips, ground beef and cheese then baked to perfection. Top with your favorite toppings for an easy dinner the whole family will love!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Taco dip in a white dish.
Taco Dip Recipe
This taco dip is ready to serve in a total of 15 minutes and has all the flavors of traditional tacos including the toppings! It's made with a seasoned cream cheese base topped with tomatoes, olives, and cheese, as well as there are so many ways to customize it!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Taco bake slice on a white plate.
Crescent Roll Taco Bake
This crescent roll taco bake is easy to make with crescent roll dough, seasoned ground beef and gooey cheese then baked and ready in 45 minutes.
Total Time: 45 minutes
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taco lasagna in crockpot
Slow Cooker Taco Lasagna
Layers of tortillas, cream cheese, beans, taco meat, enchilada sauce and cheese. This slow cooker taco lasagna is perfectly creamy, cheesy and has tons of flavor. 
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
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chicken taco bowl topped with sliced avocado, sour cream, cilantro, fresh limes and tortilla chips
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls
A delicious taco bowl loaded with cilantro lime rice, seasoned chicken, black beans and corn. Easily made in the slow cooker and dinner is ready when you are!
Total Time: 4 hours
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chicken taco soup in bowl
Chicken Taco Soup
Easy chicken taco soup made in just one pot in 30 quick minutes. Our favorite hearty and flavorful soup recipe to enjoy during the fall season. 
Total Time: 30 minutes
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spoonful of taco soup
Instant Pot Taco Soup
A mouthwatering one-pot dinner idea that is freezer-friendly and makes for easy batch cooking. This Instant Pot taco soup is fully loaded with the flavors, textures, and aromas of everyone's favorite taco, but in the form of a hearty & comforting soup!
Total Time: 35 minutes
Read more

Need more dinner inspiration? Try this list of top Mexican food recipes, ground beef dinner ideas or this list of my favorite easy dinner ideas!

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A collage of photos with taco Tuesday recipes.

Taco Tuesday Recipes

5 from 1 vote
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Use this flavorful ground beef taco meat for your next Taco tuesday night! With only 4 ingredients, it's flavorful and easy to make in only 15 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef , 80-90% lean
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1-2 Tablespoons taco seasoning , more to taste
  • ½ cup salsa
  • ¼ cup water , more as needed

S&P to taste

    Instructions

    • Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until browned, stirring occasionally breaking up any large pieces. 
    • Drain off any extra grease after it is browned then add taco seasoning, salsa or tomato sauce and water. Bring to a light simmer adding more water as needed.
    • Serve in for tacos, taco salads or burritos. 

    Notes

    Freezer instructions: Place in a freezer bag and seal out any air. Store in freezer for up to 3 months. Place in the fridge overnight to thaw, then reheat in skillet or microwave until warm. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 285mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.6mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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