How to make a choose-your-own-adventure taco feast

Taco Tuesday is a weeknight staple in households across Canada; but maybe it’s starting to feel a little ‘done.’ Spice things up by turning your dinner table into a choose-your-own-adventure taco feast! It’s all about variety — ensure you have both soft and crunchy shells, lots of fillings to suit different palates and dietary needs, and that run the spectrum from mild to scorching hot. It’s perfect for picky eaters, and you’ll have leftovers for days. Here’s how to set up the ultimate taco table. 

To get started, you’ll need a few platters and boards to set up stations for each ingredient. Arrange things on the table so people can work their way around from filling to toppers without having to double back.

You’ll need plenty of tortillas. Have a combo of crispy hard shells, soft flour tortillas and  so there’s variety. Gently heat your flour and corn tortillas in a dry skillet, then wrap them in a clean towel so they stay warm and soft. As an alternative, you can include a plate of sturdy washed and dried lettuce leaves so those who can’t eat grains can still enjoy what’s on the menu. 

Tacos need a base — the foundational ingredient that gives them some heft and structure. This is where meat, refried beans and plant-based proteins shine. Here are some suggestions: 

Meat 

• is a tender, delicious choice. It’s flavourful and perfect for the barbecue. Before grilling, poke it all over with a fork to break up the fibres, then marinate it in lime juice with salt and pepper for a few hours. Once it’s cooked, slice it against the grain for optimal tenderness.   

• Go the old-school route by frying up ground beef with savoury. This filler is perfect for those hard, crunchy shells. 

• To change things up a little, try breaded , tossed in a savoury yuzu honey sauce. They’re crispy, sweet and spicy, and not to mention boneless, making them a perfect taco filler. 

Seafood 

•  give tacos a great crunch — and they’ll please seafood lovers and gluten-free friends alike. 

• Fish tacos more your thing? is made for tender white fish like cod or halibut. Its blend of chipotle peppers with garlic, onion, lime zest and cumin gives fish a zesty kick. Sprinkle it on top of your fillets and pan-fry them until they’re opaque and flaky, then squeeze a little fresh lime juice on top. 

Meatless alternatives 

•  bake up to crispy perfection, giving you that good crunch with every battered bite. Toss them in the accompanying buttery buffalo sauce for a great vegetarian taco filler with a bit of a kick.  

• If you prefer a more traditional meaty texture from your protein, grill up some, then crumble it into small pieces for a taco base with some zip. 

As most taco lovers know, the toppings are what take your taco to the next level with a balanced combination of textures. Here are some ingredients that will really amp up the flavour of your hand-held dinner. 

Veg and fruit 

Freshly sliced vegetables and even fruits add crisp texture as well as sweet and acidic flavours to balance out the savoury filling of your taco. Anything goes, but here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Grilled slices of sweet peppers and red onions 

• Grilled pineapple chunks 

• Quick-pickled onions, radish slices and jalapeno rounds 

• Cubed mangos, avocados, peaches and nectarines 

• Shredded iceberg lettuce 

• Halved or quartered

• Creamy or vinegary slaw made with red and white cabbage, shredded carrot and daikon 

• Lime wedges 

• Fresh cilantro leaves 

• Diced hot peppers 

Tip: If you’re grilling your toppers, be sure to use a  on the barbecue; it will help prevent food from sticking or falling through the grates. 

Cheese 

What’s a taco without some cheese to bring it all together? Add a hit of creamy saltiness to your taco with any of these easy options: 

• Queso fresco 

• 

• Crumbled feta 

• , for a plant-based alternative to cheese 

Sauces 

Sauce is your last stop for flavour, bringing a little more heat or a dollop of creaminess – or both! Drizzle on these condiments as a grand finale:  

• will give your taco a spicy taste, with a tangy citrus twist. 

• is a rich, creamy sauce with zing that will bring balance to your taco creation and help to tame the heat.