4 delicious recipes for tacos with and without meat: Get inspired by Mexican cuisine!

Tacos are small tortillas that are filled with a mixture of different ingredients.

Here you can be inspired by the best and yet simple recipes for tacos, whether with meat or a vegetarian version.

Plus, if you want to make your own homemade tacos, I’ll show you how at the end of the article!

Prepare this traditional Mexican dish and surprise your diners.

Beef tacos

If you like beef, this version of the recipe is just for you. Moreover, its preparation only takes half an hour.

Ingredients

• 12 taco shells pancakes
• 400g of ground beef
• 1/2 cup beef broth or water
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground chili
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground paprika
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• Grated gouda cheese, sliced tomato and salad

Method

• Preheat the oven to 160°C.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat and fry the onion.
• Add the beef and fry until browned, then drain off the excess fat.
• Add chili, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and mix well.
• Add 1/2 cup beef broth (or water) and simmer for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, wrap the tacos in foil and heat in the oven for 20-25 minutes (or follow package instructions)
• Before serving, cut the pancake according to package directions.
• Serve the stuffed tacos with grated cheese, chopped tomato and iceberg lettuce.

Mexican street tacos

Easy, quick, authentic “carne asada” street tacos that you can now make right at home!

Ingredients

• 12 taco shells flatbreads
• 500g of beef
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 teaspoons of chili pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 large red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 sliced lime

Method

• In a bowl, mix soy sauce, lime juice, a tablespoon of canola oil, crushed garlic, chili, cumin and oregano.
• Marinate the beef in the mixture for at least 1-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Heat a tablespoon of canola oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add the meat and the marinade and fry until browned and the marinade is reduced (5-6 minutes)
• You can add salt to taste.
• According to the instructions on the package, prepare the tacos, fill them with the mixture and serve them sprinkled with onions, cilantro and lime.

Chicken tacos with cilantro dressing

Quick, 20-minute grilled chicken tacos topped with a creamy cilantro sauce are perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients for meat mixture

• 8 taco shells flatbreads
• 500g of chicken
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tbsp ground chili
• 1/2 tsp ground paprika
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper

Ingredients for onion-tomato mixture

• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomato
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 finely chopped jalapeno
• 1 tsp lime juice
• A pinch of salt or pepper to taste

Ingredients for coriander dressing

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise or sour cream
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp ground coriander
• A pinch of salt and pepper.

Method

• In a bowl, marinate the chicken with garlic, a spoonful of olive oil, lime juice, and spices.
• In a large pan, brown the chicken on both sides in olive oil, then set aside for at least 5 minutes.
• Then cut the meat into small pieces.
• In a small bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
• In another bowl, mix together the cilantro topping ingredients.
• Prepare the tacos according to the instructions on the package.
• Fill each patty with meat, a few spoonfuls of the onion-tomato mixture and sprinkle with cilantro topping to taste.

TIP: For inspiration for a delicious tortilla, take a look at the best recipes for tortilla fillings.

Spicy vegetarian tacos with beans

Lightly seasoned with cumin and smoked paprika, this version of vegetarian bean tacos is topped with fresh guacamole and pomegranate salsa.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
• 3 cloves of chopped garlic
• 3 x 400g tins of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons of honey
• 1.5 tbsp of smoked paprika
• 1.5 tbsp of ground cumin
• 8-12 taco shells pancakes
• Chipotle or other hot sauce
• Sour cream

Ingredients for guacamole

• 1 small clove of garlic
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped coriander
• 1 green chili, sliced
• 2 avocados, halved and mashed
• Juice of 1 lime

Salsa ingredients

• 110 g of pomegranate
• 1 green chilli, finely diced
• 1 small onion finely diced
• A handful of chopped fresh coriander

Method

• Heat the oil in a large pan, add the garlic and fry until golden.
• Add the beans, apple cider vinegar, honey, and spices, along with 1 teaspoon or more salt to taste.
• Cook for a while and then set aside.
• For the guacamole, grind the garlic, cilantro and chilli to a coarse paste.
• Then mash the avocado with a little salt, squeeze the lime juice and set aside.
• Combine the salsa ingredients in a small bowl.
• Prepare the tacos according to the instructions on the package.
• Serve the pancakes stuffed with beans, then top with guacamole, a little salsa, hot sauce and a dollop of sour cream.

Homemade corn tortillas for tacos

If you want to prepare tacos at home, including your own tortilla, you will also find instructions for its preparation here.

You only need a few essential ingredients and the preparation itself is very easy and quick.

Mix 1 to 1.5 cups of cornmeal, 1/2 cup of water, a pinch of salt, and a few drops of lemon. Shape smaller balls like a golf ball, which you then roll out into round patties. Fry the pancakes on a hot pan without oil on both sides.

Now that your pancakes are ready, you can fill them with any of the fillings of your choice from the above, or get inspired by these delicious tortilla fillings.

Buen Provecho!