10 Gourmet Taco Ideas - Cooking Light

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Totally Tacos

Tacos rival burgers for sheer fun packaging. First there's the wrap. Corn and flour tortillas are very different characters: A fresh corn tortilla is full of heady masa aroma and a pleasantly springy texture, while the best flour tortillas are soft but chewy. Then come the fillings. Almost anything goes, including eggs, Mexican sausage, spicy shrimp, beer-braised chicken, crunchy pan-fried tofu, and even ice cream. It's all fun and healthy, and it's all right here.

First up is the star of the show–our Chocolate Tacos with Ice Cream and Peanuts. Spread batter as evenly as possible on baking sheet. When shaping the shells, balance the wooden spoons between objects that are about 6 inches apart. Allow plenty of room so you can work quickly.

View Recipe: Chocolate Tacos with Ice Cream and Peanuts

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Potato, Poblano, and Chorizo Tacos

Mexican chorizo is a raw pork sausage flavored with cumin and garlic. If you can't find it, you can substitute regular American breakfast sausage.

View Recipe: Potato, Poblano, and Chorizo Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Steak Tacos with Lime Mayo

Look for bagged baby peppers at most supermarkets–no need to peel the skins after roasting. Use fresh salsa found in the produce section or your favorite jarred salsa.

View Recipe: Steak Tacos with Lime Mayo

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Supercrunch Tofu Tacos

Pickled daikon radishes and carrots plus a spicy Sriracha sauce set these Asian-inspired tacos apart. Pan-sautéed cashews lend meaty crunch to this vegetarian dish.

View Recipe: Supercrunch Tofu Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Classic and delicious: pour a fresh seltzer with lime and agave syrup to pair with these tacos—or, of course, a perfect margarita for a complete Mexican meal.

View Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Cobb Salad Tacos

Adding a tortilla transforms this American salad into a fun, portable meal. Choose a pungent blue cheese, like Roquefort, for a strong hit of flavor, or go with milder Gorgonzola for just a touch.

View Recipe: Cobb Salad Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Huevos Rancheros Tacos

This is more of a knife-and-fork taco. The soft egg yolk oozes and coats the filling.

View Recipe: Huevos Rancheros Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Double-Layer Beef Tacos

Inspired by the popular fast-food version, our taco is bigger and offers bright, fresh flavors but still puts up better numbers than the drive-through original.

View Recipe: Double-Layer Beef Tacos

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Fish Tacos with Tomatillo Sauce

Tilapia is a sustainable freshwater fish that's widely available and offers mild flavor. You can use a more assertively flavored fish, such as mackerel, if you prefer.

View Recipe: Fish Tacos with Tomatillo Sauce

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Beer-Braised Chicken Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Cabbage and apple slaw adds a nice crunch. When you pair the slaw with beer-braised chicken, the tacos take on a German flair.

View Recipe: Beer-Braised Chicken Tacos with Cabbage Slaw