Why limit tacos to just a Tuesday?! Everybody loves tacos, no? You can fancy them up or keep them classic, and there are endless ingredient combinations and additions to make sure there’s something for everyone to love!
Taco dip, taco shells, taco bowls, taco salad, taco soup, breakfast tacos, taco-flavored…well, everything… I'm starting to sound like Forrest Gump with shrimp— I’ll quit while I’m ahead.
For a crowd-pleasing, budget-friendly way to gather your Tribe (because at home guacamole is NOT extra), consider some of these taco tips for your next fiesta!
To me, the fundamentals of a successful fiesta include…
meat/protein of choice
sides
shells or base
salsa, dips, and toppings
Here’s a tip: make a menu of your dream fiesta before you go to the grocery store. Then, turn it into a grocery list. If you have a set list of what you need, you won’t find yourself with a stray red onion, three different kinds of chips, or a bunch of cilantro you never really needed!
Meat/Protein
My family loves a blend of grass-fed beef and organic ground turkey, but the options go on!
Try shredded chicken, baked cod, or even a black bean and lentil mix for your vegetarian friends!
I won’t lie to you, finding a taco seasoning without preservatives and added sugars is hard! I usually go with the brands Frontier Co-Op or Simple Truth, which really aren’t perfect but, hey, neither am I :)
If you are feeling ambitious and want to make your own, there are PLENTY of recipes out there to do so!!
Sides
Rice, beans, and chips ohhh my! My go-to sides for a taco night are rice and semi-homemade refried beans.
DIY Chipotle rice: prepare 1-2c brown or white rice according to directions. Add in cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste!
Semi-homemade refried beans: take two cans of organic refried beans and spread them into a casserole dish, top them with organic mexican blend cheese, and pop them in the oven at 350 until hot and bubbly. It’s that easy!
Refried beans are one those weirdly confusing foods that can be made healthy simply by looking at the way they are prepared. When reading ingredient labels, I steer clear of canola and soybean oils, as well as added sugars! My favorite picks are the refried beans by Amy’s, Whole Foods’ 365 brand, and also Heinen’s!
Shells + More
Chips for nachos, shells for tacos, aforementioned rice for bowls, or keep it light with shredded lettuce or cauliflower “rice.”
My FAVORITE brand for shells and chips is definitely Siete. The brand offers a variety of gluten-free and grain free options for those with allergies and intolerances, but never compromises taste in the process! Their tortillas are high in fiber, which help support satiety and good gut function, and come in varieties made from almonds and cashews, chickpeas, and cassava!
Cassava is a root vegetable, similar to sweet potatoes and yams. In addition to tortillas, it can also be turned into really tasty chips! If you’re looking for a taco night OUT, one of my favorite restaurants in Cleveland, Bomba Tacos + Rum, serves cassava chips AND cauliflower rice on their menu. #LOCALROOTSCLE
Salsa, Dips + Toppings
Cheese, lettuce, and avocado slices for the win! Guacamole is a given for any occasion at our house but, on this night in particular, we decided to switch it up and do traditional salsa and corn salsa with avocado slices instead. Here’s my personal recipe for a copycat Chipotle-style corn salsa:
Corn Salsa
2 cans of salt-free corn, drained and rinsed
1/4 red onion, diced
1 handful cilantro, finely chopped
juice of one lime
salt and pepper to taste
And there you have it, the roots to a great night in with your friends or fam. In addition to one simple-to-assemble dinner, you can always double the amount you prepare to keep in your fridge for lunches the rest of the week! Tacobout easy.
