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Taco night never gets old, especially when you switch up the type of taco. From slow-braised birria and street-style carne asada to crispy fish tacos and viral smash burger tacos, there’s a taco for every craving.
If you’re stuck making the same ground beef tacos every week, this list is for you. Each taco style below has its own flavors and fillings, and every one is easy enough to make at home.
I rounded up 12 different types of tacos from some of my favorite food bloggers, with a quick note on what makes each style unique. Pick a few to try and give your next taco Tuesday an upgrade.
Different Types of Tacos to Try at Home
This article is all about different types of tacos.
1. Birria Tacos
What it is: Beef slow-braised in a rich guajillo chile broth, tucked into fried corn tortillas with melty cheese and served with the broth (consomé) for dipping.
Birria tacos took over the internet for a reason. Chuck roast and short ribs braise low and slow in a chile broth, then the tortillas get dipped in the red fat on top and crisped in the pan with the meat and cheese inside. Make the birria a day ahead so you can easily skim off the fat for frying.
2. Tacos Al Pastor
What it is: Pork marinated in achiote, dried chiles and pineapple, traditionally cooked on a vertical spit and served with fresh pineapple.
Sweet, smoky and a little spicy, al pastor is one of the most famous street tacos in Mexico. This recipe gives you three ways to make it at home: on the grill, in the oven or in the slow cooker. Mix the marinade up to 24 hours ahead to let the flavors develop.
3. Carne Asada Tacos
What it is: Grilled, citrus-marinated flank or skirt steak served street-style with onion, cilantro and lime.
The steak soaks in orange juice, lime, jalapeño, cilantro and garlic, then hits a hot grill for a charred, juicy finish. Serve it on warm corn tortillas with guacamole, white onion and cilantro. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
4. Carnitas Tacos
What it is: Pork shoulder cooked low and slow until it shreds, then crisped until the edges are golden.
This version makes carnitas easy in the slow cooker. The pork cooks with orange juice, garlic, jalapeño and spices for 8 to 10 hours, then goes under the broiler for those crispy edges. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping taco night.
5. Baja Fish Tacos
What it is: Crispy beer-battered white fish with cabbage slaw and a creamy sauce, the classic taco from Baja California.
Beer-battered cod is pan-fried in just half an inch of oil, so no deep fryer is needed. It gets topped with a red cabbage slaw and a smoky chipotle sauce. Make the slaw and sauce ahead, then fry the fish right before serving so it stays crispy.
6. Spicy Shrimp Tacos
What it is: Quick-cooked seasoned shrimp with a crunchy slaw and a spicy, creamy sauce.
These shrimp tacos are ready in about 20 minutes, which makes them a great weeknight option. Seasoned shrimp are topped with a cilantro lime cabbage slaw and a sriracha Greek yogurt sauce. Char the tortillas over a gas flame for extra flavor.
7. Chicken Tinga Tacos
What it is: Shredded chicken simmered in a smoky tomato and chipotle sauce, a classic from Puebla.
Chicken thighs simmer in a blended sauce of tomatoes, tomatillos, chipotles in adobo and onion until they’re tender enough to shred. The tinga keeps in the fridge for up to five days and freezes well, so it’s great for meal prep.
8. Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos
What it is: A Korean-Mexican fusion taco with sweet and savory bulgogi beef, crunchy cabbage and a spicy crema.
Thin-sliced beef marinates in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and brown sugar, then gets seared until caramelized. It’s piled into tortillas with purple cabbage, avocado, cilantro and a sriracha-lime crema. Marinate the beef for at least four hours or overnight.
9. Smash Burger Tacos
What it is: The viral mashup of a smash burger and a taco, with beef pressed right onto the tortilla and cooked until crispy.
Ground beef is smashed directly onto a small flour tortilla and seared until the edges are crispy, then topped with melted cheddar, burger sauce and all the classic toppings. They cook in about five minutes, so they’re a fun, fast dinner the whole family will love.
10. Crispy Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)
What it is: Corn tortillas filled with seasoned mashed potatoes and fried until golden and crunchy.
Tacos de papa are a budget-friendly, vegetarian classic. Mashed russet potatoes are seasoned with garlic, cumin and chili powder, then folded into corn tortillas and pan-fried. Warm the tortillas first so they don’t crack, and make the filling up to three days ahead.
11. Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos
What it is: Scrambled eggs and crispy chorizo in warm tortillas, a favorite way to start the day.
Tacos aren’t just for dinner. Chorizo is browned until crispy, then paired with soft scrambled eggs and salsa verde in pan-warmed corn tortillas. Add a little queso fresco if you like. These are perfect for a weekend brunch or a quick work-from-home breakfast.
12. Crispy Black Bean Tacos
What it is: A vegetarian taco with a spiced black bean filling, baked until the tortillas are crunchy.
Black beans are blended with sautéed onion, bell pepper, garlic and spices, leaving some whole for texture. The tacos are brushed with oil and baked until crispy with melted cheese inside. You can assemble them the night before and bake them when you’re ready to eat.
Tips for the Best Taco Night
- Warm your tortillas. Heat them in a dry skillet or over a gas flame so they’re soft, pliable and a little charred.
- Double up corn tortillas. For juicy fillings like birria and carnitas, two corn tortillas per taco keeps everything from falling apart.
- Plan ahead for slow-cooked fillings. Birria, carnitas and chicken tinga all taste even better made a day ahead.
- Keep toppings simple. Diced white onion, cilantro, lime and a good salsa go with almost every taco on this list.
- Set up a taco bar. Make two or three fillings and let everyone build their own. It’s perfect for parties and busy weeknights.
I hope these different types of tacos inspire your next taco night. Pin this post so you can find it again the next time you’re craving tacos!
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