Oh, how we love an excuse to eat tacos. All because of the power of alliteration. Taco Tuesday. Or Thursday. Or any freaking day, jeeze, alliteration isn’t binding. But we here at MUNCHIES are willing to bet your taco night game plan has gotten a little stale. We won’t judge you if you’re falling back on ground beef and those little store-bought seasoning packets and—gasp!—crunchy shells like it’s 1997. But tacos can be so much more! Here’s a whole arsenal of recipes to up your taco game, including all our favorite marinades, tortilla secrets, and accoutrements. Bust out the good tequila because it’s Taco Night.
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Mission-Style Tacos Recipe
Mexicali-Style Carne Asada Recipe
When Trujillo makes his Mission-style tacos, he picks up some pre-marinated skirt steak from his local Mexican meat market for his carne asada. To go big for a fully homemade taco night, we like to use this version from Mexicali missionary Esdras Ochoa.
Grilled Fish Tacos Recipes
Fish Al Pastor Tacos Recipe
You’ve probably never had tacos al pastor quite like these before. But chef Gabriela Cámara has one foot in Mexico City and the other in San Francisco, and that means she sees Mexican food a little differently than most. We salute her for that, and for these fish al pastor tacos.
Carne Asada Tacos Recipe
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Lengua (Beef Tongue) Tacos Recipe
If you ever wanted a good reason to get over your fear of asking your butcher weird questions, this recipe is worth the exposure therapy. You probably won’t find tongue wrapped in Styrofoam next to the ground beef, so you’re gonna have to ask for it.
Grilled Lobster and Corn Tacos Recipe
Lobster roll? Tired. Grilled lobster tacos, however? Wired.
Vegan Adobada Tacos Recipe
While the spicy, chile-based marinade for adobada is typically paired with pork, it also makes textured soy protein taste way more appealing than the phrase "textured soy protein," and the end result is one of our favorite vegan tacos.
Beer-Marinated Vegan Tacos Recipe
Braised in lime- and cilantro-infused beer, the grilled seitan in these vegan tacos tastes pretty dang close to carne asada, but without the carne.
Flour Tortillas Recipe
Salsa de Hormiga Recipe
Making salsa from dried chiles might be a new experience for you, but once you experience this smoky-savoriness of a salsa like this, you’re going to want to put it on absolutely everything and kiss the jarred stuff goodbye.
Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Tomatillo salsa can provide the bright acidic note you need to balance out your savory protein and other toppings for the perfect taco. And then, you know, just dig in with some chips ‘cause this is too good to waste.
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Classic Guacamole Recipe
Simplicity is key to a good guacamole. Beyond a ripe avocado, there are a few core components. Welcome, lime, salt, pepper, jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. We know, the tomato is debatable, but we have strong opinions here at MUNCHIES. And definitely keep your peas, jarred salsa, and cumin the hell outta here.
Chilaquiles with Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe
We know it’s not likely that there are any leftovers after taco night, but just in case there are—chilaquiles are 100 percent the way to go to use all that good stuff up. And with an egg on top, you could justify eating tacos for breakfast.
Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe
Taco Bell might be "kind of a bastardization" of a "real taco," but it still has a soft spot in our hearts. For those days you can't get to one, a homemade crunchwrap supreme is possible—the only thing missing is the big icy cup of Baja Blast.Get recipes like this and more in the Munchies Recipes newsletter. Sign up here.