It’s that time of the week again. Taco Tuesday! What are you going to make this time?
If you’re out of ideas, read on. Here are ten simple ways you can spice up Taco Tuesday so that everyone enjoys their tacos, including you!
#1 Switch up your salsa
Bored with making the same old tomato salsa? Try these alternatives:
- Mango salsa! Cubed mango, japaleño peppers, diced red pepper, fresh cilantro, chopped red onion, a pinch of salt, a squeeze of lime, and it’s ready.
- Strawberry salsa! This salsa uses similar ingredients as above, but with strawberries instead of mango. Try it and see!
- Salsa verde. Grab some chilies and tomatillos, and make this delicious salsa. A recipe is here.
- Pineapple salsa. Sweet and delicious, with pineapple, japaleño peppers, and red onion.
#2 Take your filling up a notch
You’re probably already using either beef, chicken, fish, or pork for your tacos. Try changing either the cut or the type of meat you’re using for one of these:
- Al Pastor: Sauteed pork marinated in pineapple and lemon juice
- Barbacoa: Beef brisket, shredded
- Carne Asada: Grilled steak pieces that have been marinated in lime, cumin, and other spices
- Carnitas: Shredded pieces of slow-cooked pork shoulder
- Pollo: Marinated then shredded chicken
- Pavo: Marinated then shredded turkey
- Chorizo: Spicy sausage
- Camarones: Marinated and grilled shrimp
- Pescado: Marinated and chopped pieces of whitefish
- Coliflor: Crispy cauliflower
- Nopales: Cactus
- Huevos revueltos: Scrambled egg ‘breakfast’ tacos!
- Camotes: Cubed sweet potatoes
#3 Splash out on new toppings
Here are some toppings you may or may not be using:
- Black beans, corn, diced cucumber, asparagus tips, any vegetable goes in a taco
- Coleslaw, kimchi, or another favorite slaw
- Sour cream, heavy cream, or oat cream
- Ranch dressing, avocado dressing, jalapeño sauce
- Guacamole (I do hope you’re using guacamole already! Or at the very least, sliced avocado)
- Pomegranate seeds, currants, apricots, roasted cranberries
- Different cheeses (feta, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Gouda, cheddar, blue cheese, or if you’re lucky to have it, queso blanco!)
- Chipotle sauce (spicy but delicious!)
#4 Max out on marinades
Marinades make all the difference when preparing your filling. Try these combos for delicious marinades:
- Caribbean: garlic, chili, lime, orange juice
- Onion: onion, garlic, olive oil, water
- Garlic Yogurt: garlic, yogurt, vinegar, hot sauce, garam masala
- Chimichurri: red wine vinegar, garlic, shallots, cilantro, parsley
- Asian Citrus: garlic, ginger, lime, vinegar, soy sauce
- Chermoula: paprika, lemon, cilantro, mint, coriander, cumin, garlic
- Maple Cardamom: olive oil, maple syrup, cardamom, salt
- Sweet Lemongrass: sugar, fish sauce, lemongrass, garlic, shallot, chili
#5 Sweeten up the side dishes
Try some new side dishes with your tacos, such as:
- Cilantro lime rice
- Refried beans (this is a must! Crumble some cheese on the top)
- Spicy corn salad
- Cucumber or tomato gazpacho
- Cheese dip. You can’t have too much cheese with tacos. You just can’t.
- Grilled vegetables
- Marinated kale salad
- Corn on the cob
#6 Stray from the beaten corn tortilla path
Rather than have the ubiquitous El Paso-style fried corn tortillas, try making your tacos with some of these alternatives:
- Soft tortillas (for soft tacos): white, wholewheat, blue corn, gluten-free: there are many different kinds. Fill them and wrap them up. Dollop the toppings on top of your rolled wrap, and enjoy!
- Dosa, or another savory crepe recipe: these will get people talking!
- Parathas, chapattis, or rotis: Indian bread and Mexican filling, what’s not to love!
- Potato skins: you can cook the potatoes, scoop out the inside to make puree later, and use the skins for your tacos.
- Pita bread: toast them first, if you like. Delicious!
- Cauliflower pizza crust: perfect for open-faced tacos.
- Large lettuce or cabbage leaves: these are good if you want to eat lots of taco filling without feeling too full.
#7 Don’t forget the margaritas
Want to get away from the classic margarita? Try one of these:
- Watermelon margaritas
- Strawberry margaritas
- Blackberry grapefruit margaritas
- Cranberry margaritas
- Pineapple margaritas
- Mango orange margaritas
#8 Scale up your presentation
We also eat with our eyes, so present your tacos on colorful plates or cookware, like the stuff you can find at unocasa.com. Tacos look great on any colorful dish!
Garnish your tacos with fresh cilantro, and remember to include a variety of colors in your food. Mexico is a country that is full of color: the houses, the clothes, and the food.
Add the following to your plate of tacos to up the color scheme:
- Slices of lemon or lime
- Star fruit
- Pomegranate seeds
- Sliced red chilies
- Sliced red onion
You’re now ready to take Tuesday taco night up a notch! Have fun, and enjoy your tacos!