Need some taco recipe inspiration? Here are my favorite homemade taco toppings – including salsas, slaw, and more – plus a variety of unique taco recipes!
Whether you’re a salsa aficionado or a spicy slaw lover, you’re sure to find some new favorite taco ideas here.
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Homemade Taco Toppings
No matter what type of taco you’re making, the toppings can make or break it. You might go all out with slaw, queso, and all the fixings, or maybe you like to keep it simple with a drizzle of fresh salsa and some diced onions. (I’m def a go all out sort of taco topping person, in case you’re wondering…)
Either way, there are lots of ideas below to help get you inspired to build your dream taco!
Jalapeno Cabbage Slaw with Chipotle Crema
There are so many delicious things about this slaw, it’s hard to know where to start. The crunchy cabbage, the creamy chipotle sauce, the kick from the jalapeños – it’s all good and it’s definitely going to take your tacos to the next level!
Mango Habanero Salsa
Sweet, juicy, and with a kick of spice, this mango salsa packs tons of flavor and is especially delicious paired with fish tacos (but would be great with other tacos, too!).
If you’re not a fan of spice, you can easily replace the habanero peppers with jalapeños, or just leave out the peppers entirely (or use bell peppers instead for color and crunch with no spice). Either way, it’s super tasty!
Avocado Crema with Lime
If you’re an avocado lover like me, you’re always finding ways to add avocado to your meals. This avocado lime crema is a perfect way to do just that! Drizzle it over your favorite tacos for taco sauce perfection.
Plus, it’s made in a blender and comes together super quickly, so there’s no reason not to try it!
Healthier Spicy Queso
Cheese is always a delicious addition to any taco, but if you want to take things even further, this healthier queso is where it’s at!
It has a little kick of spice and a secret ingredient that makes it super creamy. And if you have leftovers, enjoy it with chips!
Homemade Salsa Verde
Making salsa at home might seem like a lot of work, but I promise it’s not! Plus, there’s something extra tasty about fresh salsa.
This salsa verde is made in a food processor or blender, and all you have to do is quickly char some veggies before blending. You can even make it ahead of time!
Healthy Seven Layer Taco Dip
Who doesn’t love taco dip?! In addition to being a popular appetizer, it makes a fabulous taco topping!
This protein rich version swaps sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. It’s just as creamy and flavorful, but also lightened up. Win win!
Pineapple Salsa
This jerk turkey burger recipe also features a refreshing, must-try pineapple salsa that’s the perfect summery topping for tacos!
It’s super easy to make and packs tons of flavor. That sweet and savory combination is hard to beat!
More taco topping ideas:
Here are some more easy taco toppings to add to your taco bar:
- black beans or pinto beans
- sliced avocado
- sliced radishes (refreshing crunch!)
- shredded cabbage (green, red, or a combination – again, love that crunch!)
- diced tomatoes
- pico de gallo
- shredded cheese
- sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- sliced jalapeños
- sliced green onions
- chopped cilantro
- fresh lime juice
Tasty Taco Recipes
And now, let’s talk about taco fillings! While classics like steak, pork carnitas, and shredded chicken are great, it’s fun to shake things up every once in a while.
So below, I’m sharing some of my favorite unique taco recipes you should try, including some fish tacos and some vegetarian/vegan taco options.
Blackened Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa
As a huge salmon fan, I absolutely love these flaky blackened salmon tacos! The homemade blackening seasoning adds a nice crust around the salmon, while the inside stays tender.
Plus, they’re topped with spicy mango salsa for an unbeatable flavor combination. Don’t be intimidated by making fish tacos at home, either – these are quick and easy!
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Salsa Verde
Maybe you’ve tried pork carnitas tacos, but what about pork tenderloin tacos?!
Juicy grilled pork is sliced and topped with homemade salsa verde for a simple, fresh taco recipe everyone will love.
Healthy Breakfast Tacos Recipe with Avocado Crema
Tacos for breakfast are always the way to go! These vegetarian breakfast tacos are filled with fluffy eggs, sauteed veggies, and black beans, then topped with a delicious avocado lime crema.
These are super versatile, too. Swap out any of the toppings for your favorite veggies, beans, salsas, and/or sauces!
Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos
For all my vegan readers, this one’s for you! Jackfruit tastes surprisingly like pork carnitas, especially when it’s deliciously seasoned.
Just saute it up, fill some tortillas, and toss on your favorite toppings and you’ve got yourself a tasty vegan taco dinner that even non-vegans will love!
Seared Ahi Tuna Tacos with Slaw
This fun spin on fish tacos is super quick and easy! All you have to do is season and sear the ahi tuna and throw together the creamy jalapeño cabbage slaw. It’s sort of like a poke bowl in a taco, which is right up my alley.
These are extra tasty with sliced avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime, too!
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And that’s it! I hope these taco toppings and recipe ideas have given you plenty of inspiration for your next taco bar spread. 🙂 Enjoy!
Looking for more Mexican-inspired meals? Check out these recipes:
