Easy Taco Recipes for Kids

Classic Ground Beef Tacos

These easy ground beef tacos are a great place to begin taco night. Prepare the classic seasoned beef filling, or stir in refried beans for a creamier, budget-friendly variation that stretches the meat and makes several extra tacos.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Yield: 8 tacos, or 8-10 tacos with refried beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup water
• 8 hard taco shells or small flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 large tomato, diced
• Salsa, sour cream or guacamole for serving

Optional Beef and Refried Bean Variation

• 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
• Use 1/4 cup water instead of 1/3 cup

Directions

1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
2. Drain the excess grease.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water for classic tacos, or 1/4 cup water when making the refried bean variation.
4. For classic beef tacos, simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is evenly seasoned and most of the liquid has evaporated.
5. For beef and bean tacos, stir in the refried beans and cook over medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until hot and evenly combined.
6. Warm the taco shells or tortillas according to the package directions.
7. Spoon the filling into each shell.
8. Top with lettuce, cheese, tomato, salsa and any other toppings your family enjoys.

Easy Chicken Tacos

These easy chicken tacos are a quick way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. Salsa adds flavor and moisture, while beans, cheese and fresh toppings turn the filling into a complete family meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 8 tacos

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup salsa, plus more for serving
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato, diced
• Sour cream or guacamole for serving

Directions

1. Place the shredded chicken and salsa in a skillet.
2. Warm over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Warm the beans separately or stir them into the chicken mixture.
4. Heat the tortillas according to the package directions.
5. Spoon the chicken mixture into each tortilla.
6. Add beans, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.
7. Serve with extra salsa, sour cream or guacamole.

Chicken or Beef Fajita Tacos

Fajita tacos combine marinated chicken or beef with colorful peppers and onions. Prepare the meat and marinade ahead of time, then cook everything together for an easy taco-night meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: At least 2 hours
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breast or beef steak, cut into thin strips
• 2 bell peppers in assorted colors, sliced
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 to 2 carrots, cut into thin sticks (optional)
• 8 to 10 flour tortillas
• Sour cream, salsa or guacamole for serving

Fajita Marinade

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions

1. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, garlic, seasoned salt and oregano.
2. Place the meat in a resealable bag or covered container and pour the marinade over it.
3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
4. Remove the meat from the marinade. Discard the used marinade.
5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add the peppers, onion and carrots. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.
7. Add the marinated meat to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked.
8. Return the vegetables to the skillet and toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes.
9. Warm the tortillas according to the package directions.
10. Fill each tortilla with the fajita mixture and serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole.

Slow Cooker Pork Burritos

Tender slow-cooked pork makes a flavorful filling for burritos, tacos and taco bowls. Prepare the roast earlier in the day, shred it when tender, then mix it with salsa, onion and mild green chiles.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Additional Time: 20-30 minutes
Total Time: About 6 hours 35 minutes to 8 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pork roast, about 3 pounds
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons diced mild green chiles, or more to taste
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup reserved cooking broth
• 8 large flour tortillas
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
• Sour cream, salsa or guacamole for serving
• Cooked rice, optional

Directions

1. Season the pork roast with salt and pepper.
2. Place the roast and chopped onion in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours or on High for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds. Cooking time may vary according to the roast and slow cooker.
4. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and allow it to cool slightly.
5. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking broth, then discard the remaining liquid.
6. Shred the pork with two forks.
7. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker.
8. Stir in the green chiles, salsa and reserved broth.
9. Cover and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated through.
10. Warm the tortillas and fill them with rice, pork, black beans and shredded cheese.
11. Serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole.

Taco Tostada Pizza

This quick taco tostada pizza uses a crisp flat shell as the base. Refried beans, taco meat and cheese are warmed together, then topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and other taco-night favorites.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 tostada pizzas

Ingredients

• 4 flat tostada shells
• 1 cup refried beans
• 1 cup cooked seasoned ground beef
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican-style cheese
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato, diced
• Sliced olives, onions, salsa or sour cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Arrange the tostada shells on a baking sheet.
3. Spread each shell with refried beans.
4. Top with cooked ground beef and shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the shells are warm.
6. Remove from the oven and top with lettuce, tomatoes and any additional toppings.
7. Serve immediately.