Want to take your tacos to the next level? This is the ultimate guide to the best taco toppings you can imagine!
We’re about to explore a whole world of flavor – from incredibly creamy sauces and perfectly crisp vegetables to a ton of amazing extras that will transform your next taco night into an explosion of taste.
Get ready to unleash your inner chef and discover endless possibilities for customizing your tacos!
Think of taco night as a chance to get creative with flavors, and the toppings are where the real magic happens! This guide will turn you into a total taco expert, with awesome topping ideas that will take your next taco adventure to a whole new level.
Taco Toppings – Freshness Fiesta:
- Cool and Crisp: For a refreshing crunch, try adding some shredded lettuce, thinly sliced radishes, and diced cucumbers. This adds a nice contrast to the other ingredients.
- Flavor Explosion: Chopped tomatoes, tomatillos, or bell peppers bring a ton of flavor and juiciness to your tacos.
- Fresh and Flavorful: If you want to add another layer of flavor, try sprinkling on some cilantro, parsley, or mint. They have a fresh taste that goes great with tacos.
- Tangy & Zesty: To give your tacos a tangy kick and some extra crunch, try adding pickled onions, jalapeños, or even cactus (nopales)!
- Spicy Kick: If you like things hot, add some sliced serrano peppers or drizzle on some chipotle crema.
- Avocado Awesomeness: Guacamole or slices of avocado make your tacos extra creamy and add some better-for-you fats.
Taco Toppings – Creamy Classics:
- Classic Coolness: Sour cream is always a great choice for tacos, and it adds a nice tangy flavor. Ranch dressing is another classic option that’s super easy.
- Cilantro Lime Crema: This is a fun twist on sour cream! Just mix it with some lime juice, cilantro, salt, and a little bit of garlic.
- Avocado Crema: This creamy sauce is made with mashed avocado and sour cream or yogurt. Add some lime juice, salt, and maybe a little onion or garlic for extra flavor.
- Greek Yogurt Delight: If you want a lighter option, try using plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. You can add different flavors to it, like herbs, spices, or even hot sauce!
- Cashew Crema: This is a great option if you don’t eat dairy. It’s made from cashews, water, nutritional yeast, lime juice, and salt.
Salsa Sensations:
- Pico de Gallo: This salsa is like a taco party essential! It’s made with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, and it adds a ton of flavor to your tacos.
- Tomatillo Salsa Verde: If you like things a little more tangy, try salsa verde. It’s made with tomatillos, onions, and green chiles, and it’s super flavorful.
- Mango Salsa: This salsa is a fun twist for adventurous eaters! A combination of chopped mango, red onion, jalapeno (optional for heat), lime juice, and cilantro creates a sweet and spicy explosion.
- Pineapple Salsa: Similar to mango salsa, pineapple salsa offers a tropical twist. Combine chopped pineapple with red onion, jalapeno (optional), lime juice, and fresh cilantro for a unique and flavorful topping.
- Roasted Tomato Salsa: If you want to try something a little different, roast your tomatoes before making salsa! It gives the salsa a deeper, smokier flavor. Just mix the roasted tomatoes with chopped onions, cilantro, lime juice, and maybe a little jalapeño.
- Chipotle Salsa: This one is smoky and spicy! It’s made with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, which gives it a really interesting flavor.
Unique Topping Ideas
Sweet & Savory Combinations:
- Caramelized Onions: These onions are sweet and savory, and they add a really interesting flavor to your tacos. They taste awesome with any kind of filling!
- Grilled Pineapple: Chunks of fresh or grilled pineapple add a sweet and tangy flavor that’s like a tropical vacation for your taste buds!
- Spicy Mango Salsa with Peanuts: This salsa is amazing! It’s got chopped mango, red onion, jalapeño for some spice, and crunchy peanuts.
- Kimchi: This Korean dish is spicy and tangy, and it adds a surprising crunch to your tacos.
Taco’s Around the World
Tacos are awesome, but they don’t always have to be the same old thing! Let’s explore some cool toppings inspired by different countries.
- Korma Crema: This creamy sauce is inspired by Indian food! It’s made with yogurt, curry powder, and a little bit of honey.
- Greek Yogurt with Cucumber and Mint: This topping is cool and refreshing, and it’s inspired by a Greek sauce called tzatziki.
- Korean BBQ Beef Bulgogi: If you have any leftover bulgogi (which is a kind of Korean barbecue beef), it makes an amazing taco topping! It’s sweet and savory and super delicious.
Unexpected & Delicious:
- Crispy Fried Onions: These add a fun crunch and a little bit of sweetness to your tacos.
- Roasted Corn with Cotija Cheese: Roasted corn is sweet and smoky, and cotija cheese adds a salty, crumbly texture. It’s an awesome combination!
- Crumbled Bacon: Bacon makes everything better, right? It adds a salty, smoky flavor that’s perfect for tacos. If you don’t eat meat, try crispy tempeh crumbles instead!
Make sure you don’t forget the sauce! Adding something like sriracha mayo, tahini sauce, or even hoisin sauce to your tacos can give them a whole new level of flavor.
The coolest thing about tacos is that you can make them totally your own! Get creative, try new things, and have fun coming up with your own awesome taco combinations!
A few extras that make a fantastic taco! (sensory sensations!)
- Crunchy Toppers: For some extra texture, try adding things like diced red onions, chopped fresh herbs, or even some crushed tortilla chips.
- Spicy Symphony: If you like your food with a kick, try adding some hot sauce, sriracha, or a drizzle of chipotle crema.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Queso fresco or shredded cheddar cheese add a nice cheesy flavor, and crumbled cotija cheese adds a salty finish.
The best thing about tacos is that you can make them your own! Try out different toppings, figure out what you like best, and create your own signature taco. So grab your tortillas, your favorite fillings, and this awesome topping guide, and get ready for a delicious taco adventure!
More of the Best
See our other best guides for toppings in this series:
