While the phrase “Taco Tuesday” has been around since at least the early ’80s, my love of tacos did not begin in childhood. Back then my exposure was limited to fast food tacos (you know the one) and the dry taco seasoning packets and boxed hard shells that mom occasionally picked up on sale at the grocery store. Frankly, I just didn’t get what the big deal was with tacos—that is until I ventured into San Francisco’s Mission district as a young adult and had soft tacos for the first time. The tortillas were warm and pliable enough to wrap around the fillings—juicy, tender morsels of smoky pork that had been griddled until the pieces were crispy around the edges, savory cotija cheese, and pickled onions—without shattering in my hands with each bite. Mind blown.
A well-made, perfectly executed taco is something to be celebrated—and not just one day a week but every day. We’ve rounded up 17 of our most popular taco recipes to help with that, so whether you’re a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan there’s a taco (or four) with your name on it.