Taco Night

Shrimp Tacos

Get dinner on the table in 10 minutes with a simple recipe that quickly infuses bold flavor into raw shrimp by boiling them for two minutes with black peppercorns, lime juice, and red pepper. Spoon the shrimp into corn tortillas and top with tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions, for a pop of color.

Recipe: Shrimp Tacos

Crab Tacos

Heat cooked crab in a skillet until warm then top with this recipe's showstopper: easy homemade salsa. Drop tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice into a food processor and pulse until blended. You can substitute a favorite store-bought salsa if you're pressed for time, but this homemade version is quick and worth the extra five minutes.

Recipe: Crab Tacos

Tacos al Carbon

"Al carbon" tacos are typically cooked over charcoal, but it's easy to mimic that flavor inside by cooking steak, onions, and peppers in a skillet to make a one-pan meaty main dish. Pile the saucy fajita-like mixture into warm corn tortillas and top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe: Tacos al Carbon

Chicken Soft Tacos with Sautéed Onions and Apples

Give Tex-Mex a savory-sweet punch of flavor by serving tacos with a chicken filling cooked with ground nutmeg, tart Granny Smith apples, and caramelized onions. Pair with a bright cole slaw and you'll have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Recipe: Chicken Soft Tacos with Sauteed Onions and Apples

Taco Salad with Tortilla Whiskers

Ditch the tortilla and serve a simple, flavorful main dish taco salad layered with lettuce, black beans, and steak seasoned with white vinegar, cumin, and cinnamon. Follow our recipe for homemade guacamole, or use a store-bought variety to save time.

Recipe: Taco Salad with Tortilla Whiskers

Garlicky Shrimp-Cilantro Tacos

Tacos don't have to be simple tomato-lettuce-and-cheese stackers. Serve an easy, upscale version that calls for Serrano chiles, white onion, garlic, and shrimp. Plate the taco filling in double tortillas to soak up any excess sauce.

Recipe: Garlicky Shrimp-Cilantro Tacos

Crisp Chicken Tacos

Make your favorite fried taco dish at home by following our easy tips. Fry an empty shell on one side, then flip and fill it with grilled chicken. Fold the tortilla in half and fry until one side is crispy (about 20 seconds), then flip and fry the other side. Drain the taco of excess oil then let it rest in a baking dish before transferring it to a warm oven, where it will stay warm and crisp until you're ready to eat. Serve with hot sauce and condiments.

Recipe: Crisp Chicken Tacos

Chipotle Pork Soft Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Bring the vibrant taste of the Caribbean to the dinner table with a simple six-ingredient salsa, made with pineapple, apple, shallots, cilantro, lime juice, and cumin. Serve over sautéed pork tenderloin with chipotle chiles and a tangy cider vinegar sauce.

Recipe: Chipotle Pork Soft Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Three-Bean Tacos

Skip the ground beef and serve a dinner stuffed with fresh vegetables, dried spices, and three kinds of beans. Chickpeas, black beans, and pinto beans simmer in a fragrant mixture of chili powder, oregano, cumin, and garlic while the simmer with diced bell pepper and onion. Layer the beans in crispy shells and top with the standard Mexican toppers: shredded cheese, tomato, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa.

Recipe: Three-Bean Tacos

Tofu Tacos

Marinate extra-firm tofu in a mixture of soy sauce, lime juice, and spices for about five minutes, then skewer them and cook in a frying pan, turning until browned on all sides. Fill tortillas with tofu and cabbage drizzled with seasoned rice vinegar. Top with salsa and sour cream and serve.

Recipe: Tofu Tacos

Deep-Dish Taco Pizza

Mix the best of easy Mexican and Italian favorites by serving a zesty taco pizza. Top refrigerated pizza dough with cooked ground round and onion, cooked with canned tomatoes and Mexican seasoning. Bake for 12 minutes, then top with cheese and bake again until the cheese is melted. This recipe is a guaranteed kid-pleaser.

Recipe: Deep-Dish Taco Pizza

More Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

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• Grilled Pizza