Cinco de Mayo: 3 Unusual Taco Combinations Your Family Will Love

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we gave Taco Tuesday a twist and tried 3 unusual taco combos inspired by my favorite taco shops in Dallas, Texas.

Taco Tuesday is a staple in our house. Not only because 4 out of 5 of my family members were born in Dallas, Texas where TexMex is KING, but also because TACOS are one of the few foods that all 5 of us LOVE.

Even if you do not consider yourself a “cook” you could give my taco suggestions a go and WOW your family and friends! The preparation is more pulling ingredients together rather than “cooking” and I included a shopping list at the end! No excuses–this is easy!

The Décor

My newly vaccinated parents got in on this dinner party action! My mom, who is not a fan of cooking agreed to decorate a festive table while I pulled the tacos together.

PRO TIP: If you have the storage space, buy an empty piñata and save it as a centerpiece for future parties and events. Mexican fiestas are a fun/delicious/easy way to entertain friends or family and you will be party-ready if you have that piñata nearby!

My mom used a piñata, red, green and white flowers (the colors of the Mexican flag), paper napkins from Party City, and all the red kitchenware we had to pull the table together.

The Menu

Sunday Picnic Tacos (recipe follows)
I Like Coconut Tacos (recipe follows) 
Grilled Pineapple Tacos (recipe follows)
Tortilla Chips and Salsa
Mexican beer for the adults
Mexican Coke for the kids

Food Prep:

PRO Tip: Fry store-bought soft tortillas at home!! Don’t question–just do it! The tacos look and taste more gourmet and your family will be blown away (this is the hardest part, and it’s really not that hard!)

I followed the directions here.

Build the tacos into a taco shell in the order the ingredients are listed under each taco’s name.

Sunday Picnic Tacos

1. Potato salad, pre-made at store, warmed in microwave
2. Rotisserie chicken, pulled
3. Avocado crema: Recipe here.
4. Crispy onions
5. Fresh cilantro, rinsed and chopped

I Like Coconut Tacos

1. Coconut shrimp, cooked then chopped into bite-size pieces and tails discarded
2. Bacon, chopped
3. Manchego cheese, shredded
4. Pepper jelly
5. Fresh cilantro, rinsed and chopped

Grilled Pineapple Tacos

1. Cuban pulled pork
2. Grilled pineapple, chopped into bite size pieces, using this easy recipe 
3. Sautéed onion (Sautee one heaping cup of chopped white onion in 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil until brown and translucent)
4. Chunky salsa
5. Fresh cilantro

Shopping List

Publix:

Prepared potato salad (deli section)
Rotisserie chicken
Bacon (Boar’s head fully cooked, deli)
Manchego cheese
Fresh salsa
Crispy onions (pantry item, soup aisle)

Trader Joe’s:

2 avocados
Limes
8 oz sour cream
Bunch of cilantro
Whole pineapple
Pre-chopped white onion (produce)
Pulled pork, fully cooked refrigerated
Coconut shrimp, frozen section
Hot and sweet pepper jelly (jelly aisle)

Pantry staples used:

Vegetable oil
Butter
Salt
Pepper

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I just know your family and friends will enjoy these tacos too!

Looking for more ideas? Check out this post for a taco night checklist and margarita recipe!