Taco Nights Made Simple

Hey taco fans! Are you craving a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner (even if the “crowd” is just your family)? Crave no further, we’ve got you covered with tacos and the best taco sides to make your meal complete. From crispy shells to soft tortillas, plus our signature seasoning mixes and sauces, Ortega has everything you need for an unforgettable taco night.

Need ideas for sides for taco night? We’ve got plenty.

But first, why taco night? In case you need more justification than simply hearing the word “taco”:

• It’s inherently flexible. Use corn shells or flour tortillas. Load them with beef, chicken, fish, or vegetables, and don’t forget to round things out with your favorite taco night sides.
  
• With Ortega’s product range, you can skip the time-consuming prep. Our seasoning mixes, sauces, and tortillas make everything easier, giving you more time to focus on creating the best taco sides to serve alongside.
  
• It’s fun and social: build your own tacos, pass around toppings, share your favorite taco night sides, and get everyone involved.
  

Ready for inspiration? Here’s one of our crowd-favorite taco recipes, plus three of the best sides for taco night to complete your meal.

Skirt Steak Street Tacos

For a dish straight from your favorite food truck, start with Ortega’s Skirt Steak Street Tacos, a quick-marinated steak grilled to juicy perfection and topped with a creamy poblano sauce. The marinade, made with lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and Ortega’s Street Taco seasoning, infuses deep flavor in just a few hours. 

Tips & Tricks:

• Marinate the steak in the morning and it’ll be ready to grill by dinnertime.
  
• Char the poblanos right on your stovetop or under the broiler for extra depth.
  
• Use leftover steak for next-day taco salads or wraps.
  
• Want to switch it up? Try the same recipe with chicken or portobello mushrooms.
  

Cow­boy Caviar

This vibrant bean-and-veggie medley brings fresh color and bold flavor to your taco night spread. It combines canned black beans and fire-roasted green chiles with corn kernels, diced bell peppers, roma tomatoes, avocados and cilantro, all tossed in lime juice and olive oil. It’s essentially a chunky, fresh salsa-meets-side-dish that works equally well with tortilla chips or alongside your tacos.

Tips & Tricks:

• Dice the avocado just before serving so it stays fresh and green.
  
• Use fire-roasted chiles for a smoky touch. Adjust mild vs hot based on your crowd.
  
• Double the batch if you have extra chips to dip later or for next-day leftovers.
  
• Serve it chilled or at room temp so it holds up well while people graze.
  

Mexican Fried Rice

This dish takes day-old rice and transforms it into a flavorful pan-seared fiesta using ground beef, diced bell pepper, onions, garlic, and more. A generous splash of Ortega taco sauce brings it all together into a satisfying, slightly smoky-spiced rice dish that’s perfect alongside tacos or as a standalone. 

Tips & Tricks:

• Use day-old, cooked rice so it fries up properly instead of becoming mushy
  
• After adding the rice mixture, push it to the sides of the wok (or skillet) to allow the bottom to crisp for 5-7 minutes for texture
  
• Finish with chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions or a lime wedge to brighten the dish before serving
  
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, skip the ground beef and add extra beans or roasted veggies to boost flavor and texture

Mini Stuffed Peppers

This recipe transforms mini sweet peppers into easy, flavorful bites by halving them, removing seeds, and filling them with a creamy mix of softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar and Ortega’s taco seasoning. These make a great appetizer or side for taco night: simple to prep, fun to serve, and full of bold flavor. 

Tips & Tricks:

• Slice and seed the peppers right before baking so they stay crisp-fresh.
  
• Let the cream-cheese mix soften fully for easier filling and smoother texture.
  
• Bake on a sheet lined with parchment for easy cleanup.
  
• Serve warm so the cheese is melty, and add extra lime or fresh cilantro to amp up the freshness.

Bringing It All Together

Set the table family-style with a platter of steak, warm tortillas, bowls of toppings, and your sides on the table for everyone to share. With Ortega’s taco shells, seasonings, and sauces in your pantry, taco night is as simple as heat, fill, and enjoy—no stress required.