Skip to content

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. 

Collage of taco Tuesday recipes.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Favorite Taco Dinners

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 Tacos

Tacos are filling (especially with lots of toppings), so you don’t necessarily need a 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.

Traditional + Slow Cooker

These are all of the tried and true 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.
Ground Beef Tacos
Crispy and delicious tacos filled with seasoned ground beef and all your favorite toppings. These easy ground beef tacos are simple, flavorful and ready in just 20 minutes! 
Total Time: 20 minutes
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more

Healthy

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!

how to make taco salad
Taco Salad
A delicious and easy taco salad recipe that's made in just 20 minutes! Filled with chopped greens, taco meat, rice, corn, beans, tomatoes and your favorite salad dressing.
Total Time: 20 minutes
Read more
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
Read more
lettuce cup with taco meat and pico de gallo
Taco Lettuce Wraps
Taco lettuce wraps are a healthy, flavorful and delicious alternative to hard shell tacos. Plus they're paleo, Whole30 and gluten-free!
Total Time: 15 minutes
Read more
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
Read more

Creative 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!

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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more

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.
Taco Soup Recipe
This easy taco soup recipe is quick to make in one pot with staple ingredients! This taco soup is by far the most requested meal at my house.
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
taco casserole
Taco Casserole
This taco casserole has delicious layers of ground beef, beans, corn, tortilla chips and cheese. Baked to perfection and ready in just 15 minutes. 
Total Time: 15 minutes
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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

So, which recipe are you excited to try first?

Let’s connect

Join our community of over 5 million!

Featured on

  • Taste of Home
  • Martha Stewart
  • Country Living
  • BuzzFeed
  • Yahoo
  • Food Network
  • Today