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80+ Taco Toppings

One of the easiest ways to change up your taco game and throw in some variation is by expanding your taco toppings selection.

We don’t limit our taco intake to Tuesdays! In fact, tacos of some sort are usually consumed at least twice a week around here. Once a week I make a big batch of birria, shredded beef, or chicken so that we have tacos at the ready for lunches, quick dinners, and afterschool snacks. But like anything, even tacos can get boring if you have the same thing every time, so having a variety of taco toppings is key!

80+ Taco Toppings

Building Your Taco Bar

Whether it’s a midweek family taco night or a weekend gathering with friends, putting together your taco bar is easy. Start with the foundation – tortillas. You can choose from a variety of tortilla types including flour, corn, or blue corn tortillas, and sizes that range from small street taco style tortillas to larger fajita sized. You also have the option of buying the store-bought crunchy taco shells. If you like variety, put out some of each!

Pick your protein, and build around that. Set out dishes with fresh toppings like lettuce and cilantro, lime wedges, chopped onion, your favorite cheeses, and a selection of salsas and hot sauces. Not sure what to choose from? Here is a list of all the best taco toppings to try.

Taco Proteins

Tacos are so easy and those fresh, delicious tortillas are the perfect vessel for serving up some of your favorite proteins. You can even make veggie tacos with fresh grilled or charred veggies and seasoned potatoes. They’re great with mushrooms! Tacos can be as simple as sautéing ground beef or slow cooking salsa chicken. These are great for quick and easy weeknight meals. But if you have some extra time, you can put together some amazing dishes. If you want to step out of the everyday, try making homemade birria, barbacoa, or al pastor. You won’t be sorry. Here are some of the best proteins to add to your tacos.

  • Al Pastor (marinated pork)
  • Barbacoa
  • Beans
  • Birria
  • Carne Asada
  • Carnitas
  • Chicken
  • Chorizo
  • Fish (grilled or fried)
  • Ground Beef, Pork, or Chicken
  • Lengua
  • Pulled Pork
  • Shredded Beef
  • Shrimp
  • Tripe
Birria Taco Meat

Cheese

Most everyone loves the addition of cheese to their tacos. Some love it so much that they made crispy cheese tacos. But if you just want cheese as a topping, here are a few to choose from:

  • Asadero
  • Blue Cheese
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Chihuahua (similar to cheddar)
  • Cotija
  • Manchego
  • Monterey Jack
  • Nacho Cheese
  • Oaxaca
  • Panela
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Queso Fresco
  • Smoked Queso
  • Velveeta (melt it into a sauce!)
Tacos With Cheese

Herbs & Spices

You can add herbs and spices directly to your protein, or use them as toppings. Fresh cilantro, mint, and parsley are great for adding and herbaceous punch. Just chop them up and sprinkle them over the top of your taco before eating. The same goes for Tajin and other seasoning powders. Customize each taco by sprinkling something different over the top of each taco.

Adobo Seasoning For Tacos

Fresh Taco Toppings

Fresh fruits and veggies are always excellent additions to your tacos. While some stick to the regular lettuce, tomato, onion, and/or avocado, your choices don’t have to end there. Here are some of the best fresh fruit and vegetable taco toppings:

  • Anaheim Peppers
  • Avocado
  • Banana Peppers
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cabbage
  • Candied Jalapeno
  • Chipotle Peppers
  • Corn
  • Cubanelle Peppers
  • Fajita Veggies
  • Fresno Peppers
  • Green Onions
  • Ghost Peppers
  • Habanero
  • Jalapeno
  • Lettuce
  • Lime Wedges
  • Mango
  • Mushrooms
  • Olives
  • Onions
  • Plantain strips
  • Pickled Jalapeno
  • Pickled Radish
  • Pickled Red Onion
  • Pomegranate arils
  • Poblano Pepper Slices
  • Potatoes
  • Radish
  • Red Onion
  • Scallions
  • Tomatoes
Cilantro, Onion, & Peppers for Taco Toppings

Salsa & Hot Sauce Taco Toppings

A taco isn’t complete without salsa! Some prefer chunky salsas like pico de gallo, and some prefer smooth salsas similar to enchilada sauce. Here are a few of the best salsas and hot sauces to use as taco toppings:

  • Avocado Sauce
  • Chile de Arbol
  • Chipotle Sauce/Chipotle Aioli
  • Chimichurri
  • Chutney
  • Cilantro Lime Sauce/Dressing
  • Corn Salsa
  • Cowboy Caviar
  • Crema (avocado, cilantro etc.)
  • Enchilada Sauce (red or green)
  • Guacamole
  • Habanero Hot Sauce
  • Huitlacoche
  • Lizano Salsa
  • Mango Salsa
  • Mole Sauce
  • Pico De Gallo
  • Pineapple Salsa
  • Ranch Dressing
  • Salsa Verde
  • Sour Cream
  • Sriracha Sauce
  • Tabasco
  • Tapatio
  • Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
  • Tomato Relish
Salsa For Tacos

Other Taco Toppings

Want something different? Here are a few other things to add to your taco toppings list:

  • Chicharrones
  • Crumbled Bacon/Candied Bacon
  • Fried Eggs
  • Fried Tortilla Strips
  • Fried Onions or Shallots
  • Kimchi
  • Rice – Cilantro Lime, Spanish, Brown, White
  • Roasted Pepitas
  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Slaw

Try These Delicious Taco Recipes!

Heidi Deal
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