21 Tacos That Deserve a Spot at Your Cinco de Mayo Table

Elevate your Cinco de Mayo celebration with an unforgettable taco fiesta featuring these creative and mouthwatering variations that go far beyond traditional options. From smoky quesabirria showstoppers to crispy potato tacos that will delight vegetarians, this diverse spread ensures every guest discovers a new favorite while honoring the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine. Set up a DIY taco bar with colorful toppings, freshly made salsas, and ice-cold margaritas to transform your gathering into the most talked-about Cinco de Mayo party of the year.

Smoked Chicken Tacos

Smoked Chicken Tacos
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Transport your taste buds with these smoky sensation tacos! Tender chicken breast, infused with aromatic verde rub and kissed by slow smoke, creates depth in every bite. Tucked into crispy tortillas with rivers of melted cheddar, these tacos elevate your weeknight dinner into a flavor adventure worth savoring.

Get the recipe -> Smoked Chicken Tacos

Taco Bell Meximelt

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Image Credit: CopyKat Recipes

Craving that classic Meximelt magic? Recreate this beloved discontinued favorite at home! Savor the perfect harmony of zesty seasoned beef, gooey melted cheese, and fresh, vibrant pico de gallo—all embraced by a warm, soft tortilla that brings this nostalgic treat back to life.

Get the recipe -> Taco Bell Meximelt

Braised Beef Shank Tacos

Braised Beef Shank Tacos
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Indulge in taco luxury with these melt-in-your-mouth beef shank creations! Hours of patient braising transforms this unique cut into succulent, rich meat that falls apart at the touch. These gourmet tacos showcase the beauty of slow cooking, rewarding you with complex flavors that’ll make your typical taco night feel like fine dining.

Get the recipe -> Braised Beef Shank Tacos

Smoked Quesabirria Tacos

Smoked Quesabirria Tacos
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Meet the showstopper that breaks all taco boundaries! These spectacular quesabirria tacos blend smoky tenderness with the soul-warming richness of traditional birria. Each bite delivers an explosion of flavors—the intoxicating aroma of smoke dancing with spicy, savory consommé and gooey cheese. Prepare for a transcendent taco experience that’ll haunt your dreams!

Get the recipe -> Smoked Quesabirria Tacos

Smash Burger Tacos

Smash Burger Tacos
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Why choose between favorites when you can have both? These revolutionary smash burger tacos deliver the best of two worlds—the satisfying crust and juicy interior of a perfect smash burger, reimagined in handheld taco form. It’s the crossover sensation your taste buds never knew they needed, combining the soul-satisfying elements of burgers with the endless creativity of tacos.

Get the recipe -> Smash Burger Tacos

Grilled Flank Steak Tacos

Grilled Flank Steak Tacos
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Skip the takeout wait and expense! These lightning-fast flank steak tacos deliver restaurant-quality flavor in less time than it takes for delivery. A quick, fiery sear locks in the juices of perfectly seasoned steak, creating street taco magic in your kitchen. These weeknight heroes prove that spectacular flavor doesn’t require complicated techniques.

Get the recipe -> Grilled Flank Steak Tacos

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
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Brighten your plate with these vibrant, zesty tacos! Succulent chicken, marinated in a tangy cilantro-lime embrace and kissed by flames, creates a refreshing taco experience that feels like sunshine on your palate. Light, flavorful, and impossibly fresh, these tacos are summer on a plate any time of year.

Get the recipe -> Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Smoked Al Pastor Tacos

Smoked Al Pastor Tacos
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Tradition meets innovation in these captivating smoked al pastor tacos! The classic sweet-spicy pork gets transformed through the alchemical magic of smoke, adding newfound complexity to this beloved Mexican staple. Experience al pastor’s familiar charm with an exciting smoky twist that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about this taco classic.

Get the recipe -> Smoked Al Pastor Tacos

Blackstone Brisket Tacos

Blackstone Brisket Tacos
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Tex-Mex magnificence awaits with these Blackstone-seared brisket tacos! The famous griddle creates the perfect crust on tender, flavorful brisket, resulting in a taco that honors both Texas barbecue traditions and Mexican taco craftsmanship. Each bite delivers a harmonious fusion that’s greater than the sum of its magnificent parts.

Get the recipe -> Blackstone Brisket Tacos

Blackstone Skirt Steak Street Tacos

Blackstone Skirt Steak Street Tacos
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Experience authentic street taco perfection, Blackstone style! The sizzling griddle creates the ideal char on tender skirt steak, mimicking the street-side flavor of traditional taquerias. Simple, unpretentious, and bursting with honest flavors, these tacos prove that sometimes the most straightforward approach delivers the most spectacular results.

Get the recipe -> Blackstone Skirt Steak Street Tacos

Spud-tacular Fusion: The Ultimate Taco Baked Potato

Spud-tacular Fusion: The Ultimate Taco Baked Potato
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Prepare for a comfort food revelation! These ingenious taco-stuffed potatoes merge the hearty satisfaction of baked potatoes with the vibrant excitement of tacos. Fluffy potato interiors become the perfect canvas for seasoned taco meat and a fiesta of toppings. It’s the unexpected mashup that’ll become your new craving—carb-lovers paradise meets taco night innovation!

Get the recipe -> Spud-tacular Fusion: The Ultimate Taco Baked Potato

Smoked Pulled Pork Tacos

Smoked Pulled Pork Tacos
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Transform leftover smoked pulled pork into tomorrow’s most anticipated meal! These resourceful tacos showcase how smoke-kissed pork finds its soulmate in fresh taco fixings. The sweet-savory balance of tender pulled pork creates a taco experience that might just outshine the original barbecue—proving some leftovers deserve an encore performance.

Get the recipe -> Smoked Pulled Pork Tacos

Taco Bell Spicy Potato Taco

Taco Bell Spicy Potato Taco
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Vegetarian taco bliss awaits! This inspired homage to Taco Bell’s beloved spicy potato taco delivers crispy, seasoned potato bites nestled in a warm tortilla—proof that meat-free can be magnificently flavorful. Spice-forward and satisfying, these tacos will become a meatless Monday tradition that everyone looks forward to.

Get the recipe -> Taco Bell Spicy Potato Taco

Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos

Applebee's Chicken Wonton Tacos
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Reimagine appetizer perfection with these crowd-pleasing wonton tacos! Crispy wonton shells cradle flavorful chicken in this Applebee’s-inspired creation that’s ideal for gathering around. Perfect as starters, light meals, or game day heroes, these fusion tacos deliver big flavor in adorable, crispy packages.

Get the recipe -> Applebee’s Chicken Wonton Tacos

Taco Bell Crunchy Tacos

Taco Bell Crunchy Tacos
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Capture drive-thru magic in your kitchen! This spot-on recreation of Taco Bell’s iconic crunchy tacos puts fast-food satisfaction at your fingertips anytime the craving strikes. The perfect crispy shell, signature seasoned beef, and classic toppings come together for a nostalgic bite that’s fresher (and faster!) than the original.

Get the recipe -> Taco Bell Crunchy Tacos

Ground Beef Tacos

Ground Beef Tacos
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Taco night champions that won’t keep you hostage in the kitchen! These back-pocket hero tacos deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort—perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table in a hurry. Simple ingredients transform into spectacular tacos through a few key techniques, proving that “quick and easy” can still be extraordinary.

Get the recipe -> Ground Beef Tacos

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Image Credit: CopyKat Recipes

Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting for taco perfection! These set-it-and-forget-it chicken tacos create a tender, flavorful meat that shreds effortlessly after a day of hands-off cooking. Skip the takeout and return home to taco night glory—proof that spectacular Mexican flavor can happen while you’re away living your life.

Get the recipe -> Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Grilled Al Pastor Tacos with Pork Tenderloin

Grilled Al Pastor Tacos with Pork Tenderloin
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Experience al pastor brilliance without the traditional trompo! These clever tacos capture all the sweet, smoky, and spicy magic of authentic al pastor, using grill-friendly pork tenderloin. The familiar pineapple-chile marinade transforms on the grill, creating flames and flavors that honor tradition while making weeknight cooking accessible.

Get the recipe -> Grilled Al Pastor Tacos with Pork Tenderloin

Blackstone Blackened Fish Tacos

Blackstone Blackened Fish Tacos
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Dive into flavor with these spectacular griddle-blackened fish tacos! The Blackstone works its magic, creating the perfect spice-crusted exterior while keeping the fish tender and moist. The result is a seafood taco with attitude—smoky, bold, and unforgettable.

Get the recipe -> Blackstone Blackened Fish Tacos

Blackstone Tacos Borrachos

Blackstone Tacos Borrachos
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Unleash your adventurous side with these intoxicating beer-infused tacos! The Blackstone griddle captures all the complex, malty notes of the beer as it reduces into the filling, creating depth that ordinary tacos can only dream about. Bold, unexpected, and powerfully flavorful, these “drunken tacos” offer a sophisticated twist for the curious taco connoisseur.

Get the recipe -> Blackstone Tacos Borrachos

Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos

Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos
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Experience taco transcendence through the transformative power of smoke! These remarkable shredded beef tacos showcase how patient smoking elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary. Each strand of tender beef carries complex smoky notes that conventional cooking can’t touch—creating tacos that will forever change your expectations.

Get the recipe -> Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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