Taco fillings range from seafood and smoked beef to pork and grilled chicken. Each option uses ingredients that complement the main filling, creating a balanced combination. Sauces, vegetables, spices, and other toppings add texture while enhancing the overall dish. Here are a few creative combinations to try when planning your next taco night:
Rocoto Chicken
Rocoto chicken tacos combine grilled chicken with a herby cheese blend, chopped onion, and avocado crema slaw. A herby cheese blend adds richness, while chopped onion gives the filling a sharper bite. Avocado introduces freshness and a creamy texture. The same ingredients are available in a bowl, served without the taco shell.
BBQ Brisket
Smoked brisket forms the base of these tacos, with BBQ sauce and cabbage slaw added to the filling. Brisket can be slow-smoked, which gives the beef a smoky flavor; BBQ sauce adds a sweet, tangy element. A slaw consists of shredded cabbage and carrots, which provide a crisp texture alongside the tender brisket. The ingredients combine smoked beef, BBQ sauce, and shredded vegetables in a taco filling. Several elements contribute to the overall composition of the tacos:
- Preparation: The brisket is slow-smoked before it is cut or shredded for the tacos.
- Texture: The filling combines tender brisket with the crisp texture of the slaw.
- Flavor profile: The filling includes smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors.
- Assembly: The brisket, BBQ sauce, and slaw are combined in a taco shell or tortilla.
Al Pastor Taco
Tender pork forms the base of an al pastor taco, with grilled pineapple relish, pineapple crema, and pickled red onion added to the filling. The relish provides a sweet, fruity component, while the crema adds a creamy texture. Pickled red onion contributes an acidic element that contrasts with the other ingredients. A pork bowl contains the same combination of pork, pineapple relish, pineapple crema, and pickled red onion without a tortilla, and it is served as a bowl to be eaten with a fork.
Cauliflower Filling
Roasted cauliflower forms the main component of this filling, accompanied by queso fresco and red pepper sauce. Roasting gives the cauliflower a firm exterior and tender interior, while the queso fresco provides a soft, crumbly texture. The red pepper sauce adds a savory element with a mild pepper flavor.
Fresh cilantro can be added as a topping, providing a fresh herbal component. Diced onion is another optional addition that adds a crisp texture and sharper flavor. For vegetarian diners, roasted cauliflower serves as an alternative to meat in the taco filling.
Dynamite Shrimp
Fried shrimp form the base of the taco filling and provide a crunchy texture. The shrimp are paired with jalapeño ranch, avocado, slaw, and Sriracha. Jalapeño ranch provides a creamy sauce, while avocado adds a smooth texture to the filling.
Slaw contributes shredded vegetables, and Sriracha adds a spicy element. The tacos are served with additional Sriracha, allowing the amount of sauce to be adjusted to the preferred level of heat. To assemble the filling, the fried shrimp are placed in each tortilla.
Avocado and slaw are then added to the shrimp before the jalapeño ranch is incorporated into the filling. Sriracha is squeezed over the other ingredients, and more can be added if desired. Additional jalapeño ranch is also added when more sauce is preferred. The amounts of the toppings and sauces can be adjusted to taste.
Plan Your Taco Night
Tacos provide a flexible format for combining different proteins, vegetables, sauces, and toppings. This variety makes it possible to create fillings with different flavors and textures while using the same basic format. Order fresh tacos today and choose your preferred fillings.
