Five Tasty Tacos for Cinco de Mayo

 

Today is Cinco de Mayo day. Combine that with Taco Tuesday and  you have a tasty round up of delicious Tacos, engineered to delight your tastebuds! 

From the Encyclopedia Britannica:

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated annually on May 5, marks the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. At the time, Mexico was struggling financially and had suspended foreign debt payments, prompting France, Spain, and Britain to intervene. While Spain and Britain withdrew peacefully, France, under Napoleon III, attempted to establish a monarchy in Mexico. A smaller, poorly equipped Mexican force led by General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the larger French army, providing a significant morale boost and symbolizing Mexican resistance to foreign control, even though the French eventually occupied Mexico City for several years afterward. 

In Mexico, the holiday is observed with military parades, historical reenactments, and local festivals. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican-American culture, featuring parades, mariachi music, folkloric dancing, traditional foods like tacos and mole poblano, and community events. The holiday serves as a way for Mexican-Americans to express pride in their heritage and educate others about Mexican history and culture

I know that Tacos are not something that you would expect to find in an "English" kitchen, but they have become very popular in the U.K. over the last 15 or 20 years. Largely inspired by a young woman named Tomasina Miers who won the highly esteemed Master Chef Competition in the U.K. back in 2005.  She went on to encourage the nation to want to cook with Mexican flavors and co-founded the tasty chain of Wahaca restaurants which serve delicious and popular Mexican Street Food.

When I first moved to the U.K. you couldn't find any Mexican food ingredients at all, but by the time I left they were quite popular and very easy to find in the shops. It seemed the British had embraced Tex Mex flavors, which really isn't surprising when you think about it as both Mexico and Spain are favorite holiday destinations, with very similar flavors when it comes to food and cooking, albeit as different as they are similar. (If that even makes sense!) There is even an online Mexican Grocer.

In any case, I have always loved Mexican Flavors.  I have never had the privilege of visiting Mexico, but I do love their foods, or at least the North Americanized versions of their foods. One of my Arizonan friends Eliza came over to visit me several times when I was living in the U.K. and taught me how to make several dishes including Tamales. Very delicious.

I have been making my own flour tortillas and enchiladas since the 1980's. Turkey Enchiladas were always a favorite with my family after Christmas and Thanksgiving. They also loved tacos.  No surprise there!

I am sharing five of my favorite taco recipes with you here today. Admittedly they are all a bit different than the traditional, but I can promise you that they are all delicious. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the Two Potato Tacos, but I love them all. 

I hope that you will be inspired to want to cook at least one of them for your family today!!

 

 

 

 

 

CRISPY REFRIED BEAN TACOS - Simple, Cheesy & Shockingly Delicious

Some recipes are diamonds and some are dust… and these little tacos are pure diamonds. Born from a determination to turn a soggy taco disaster into something wonderful, these Crispy Refried Bean Tacos are everything you want in a quick, comforting meal. The filling starts with refried beans perked up with smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, and chopped green chilies — a simple mix that becomes rich, warm, and beautifully spiced once it hits the pan.

Each tortilla gets a generous spoonful of this flavor-packed bean mixture, a snowfall of melty cheddar, and then is folded and fried until the outside is golden, crisp, and irresistibly crunchy . The cheese melts into long, glorious strings when you pull them apart — the kind of detail that makes you close your eyes for a moment of taco joy. I love to top them with my favorite toppings, shredded lettuce, chopped cherry tomatoes, spring onions, sour cream and some kalamata olives, all tucked inside that crispy shell for the perfect contrast of hot, cold, creamy, crunchy, spicy and fresh.

If you love quick, budget-friendly meals that deliver BIG comfort, these tacos are going to become a fast favorite.

THAI CHICKEN TACOS - Fresh, Zesty & Totally Scrumptious

Tacos with a delicious twist, these Thai Chicken Tacos are about to become a new favorite. They’re fresh, colorful, a little exotic, and absolutely bursting with flavor.

The magic starts with the chicken, which gets soaked in a vibrant lemongrass marinade—a mix of brown sugar, fish sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and herbs that gives every bite that unmistakable Thai brightness and depth . After a quick flash in the pan, the chicken turns beautifully caramelized on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside.

What really makes these tacos sing is the crunchy cucumber and carrot salad piled on top. Light, crisp, and refreshing, it adds the perfect contrast to the warm, savory chicken and brings gorgeous color to every tortilla. A sprinkle of roasted peanuts finishes everything with a lovely nutty crunch, and suddenly you’ve got a taco that’s bright, clean, healthy, and—dare I say—quite addictive!

These are quick, easy, and a little bit different… the kind of meal that makes an ordinary weeknight feel special.

CRISPY TWO POTATO TACOS - Cheesy, Spicy & Comforting in Every Bite

If you love Tex‑Mex flavors and you love potatoes, these tacos are about to become your new obsession. They’re one of those quietly brilliant recipes that take simple ingredients and turn them into something unbelievably delicious. These are my all time favorite taco!

The filling starts with both sweet and white potatoes, baked until tender and then mashed together into a warm, hearty base. Into that goes a gorgeous mix of softened onions, roasted garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, and a spoonful of chipotle in adobo for that smoky little kick that makes everything taste deeper and richer. A handful of cheddar and Jack cheese melts into the mixture, turning it creamy, savory, and wonderfully moreish.

Once the filling is tucked into soft tortillas, brushed with olive oil, and folded over, the magic happens: You pan‑grill them until they’re golden, crisp, and toasty on the outside, with a soft, cheesy, flavor‑packed center that’s pure comfort. 

Serve them with salsa verde, sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, or whatever toppings you love most — every combination works because the base is just that good. These tacos are meatless, but so satisfying you won’t miss a thing. In fact, you may never go back to meat tacos again.

 

CRISPY SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS - Cheesy, Crispy & Utterly Moreish

If you’ve got a bit of leftover chicken and a craving for something comforting, these Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos are the perfect little treat. They’re quick, simple, and packed with flavor — the kind of meal that feels like a cross between a taco, a nacho, and a quesadilla, all wrapped up in one delicious bite.

The filling starts with tender shredded chicken tossed with smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, chipotle chili, and tomato salsa for a warm, gently spiced flavor that’s never overpowering. Then comes the cheese — plenty of it — tucked inside each tortilla so it melts into a gorgeous, gooey layer as they bake.

The tortillas are brushed with a little olive oil and baked until they’re golden, crisp, and beautifully toasty, but never hard — just that perfect crunch that makes every bite satisfying. A quick flip halfway through ensures both sides crisp up evenly, and the result is a tray of tacos that smell so good you’ll want to dive in immediately.

And of course, the toppings make them shine: shredded lettuce, salsa, onions, sour cream, olives, lime wedges — whatever you love, pile it on. A little messy? Absolutely. But the best tacos always are. They’re easy, economical, and incredibly delicious — the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again whenever you want something fun and flavorful without a lot of fuss.

NAVAHO TACOS - Golden Fry Bread, Savory Ground Meat Filling, & All the Fixings

Some recipes don’t just call your name… they practically shout it. That’s exactly how these Navaho Tacos feel — the kind of dish that makes you want to run straight into the kitchen the moment you see them.

It all starts with the homemade Navaho Fry Bread, a simple dough of flour, yeast, baking powder, warm milk, and butter that fries up into puffy, golden, irresistibly soft rounds. Once you get the hang of rolling and turning the dough — a quarter turn with each roll for best results — they come out beautifully every time.

Then comes the hearty filling: ground meat (beef or turkey) simmered with onions, garlic, tomatoes, black beans, green chili, cumin, coriander, chili powder, oregano, and just a whisper of cinnamon for warmth and depth . It’s savory, gently spiced, and wonderfully satisfying — the kind of taco filling you’ll want to make again and again.

Pile that onto the warm fry bread and let everyone top their own with grated cheddar, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, spring onions, black olives, and a dollop of sour cream . Every bite is a perfect mix of crisp, soft, creamy, fresh, and flavor-packed. Fun to make, easy to customize, and absolutely scrumptious!

And there you have it, five totally different, interesting and delicious taco recipes to explore and enjoy! I hope your taste-buds are tingling! 

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com  

 Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again! 

 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right hand side of the screen.