Knowing what veg goes in tacos is second nature to some, but for others, it can be a bit of a mystery.

I’m here to help with that.

I’ve got 15 delicious vegetables that will take your tacos to the next level.

So, whether you’re looking for something traditional or something a little out of the ordinary, read on for my top picks.

What Vegetables Go in Tacos?

The best vegetables to go with tacos are lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. You can also add avocado, cucumber, or corn to your tacos. If you want to add some spice to your tacos, you can add jalapeños or other types of peppers.

Still looking for ideas?

Then keep scrolling!

Here are 15 vegetables that go in tacos:

Tomatoes

Tomatoes add freshness and a little bit of acidity to tacos, which helps to balance out the richness of the other ingredients.

I like to dice them small and add them to the taco filling, or slice them thin and use them as a topping.

Another great way to use tomatoes in tacos is to make roasted salsa.

Just roast some tomatoes, onions, and garlic in the oven with a little bit of olive oil, then blend everything together until smooth.

It’s delicious on its own or as a taco topping.

Lettuce

Lettuce tastes bland and even slightly sweet when eaten raw, making it the perfect base for tacos.

I like to shred it into thin strips and use it as a taco shell, or chop it into small pieces and use it as a filling.

Lettuce is also great for adding crunch and freshness to tacos.

My favorite way to prepare lettuce for tacos is to shred it into thin strips and then fry it in oil until crispy.

This makes a delicious taco shell that is both crunchy and slightly sweet.

See Also: What to Serve with Mexican Casserole? 10 Best Side Dishes

Onions

Onions add flavor like no other taco filling.

I like to use white onions because they’re a little sweet, but you can use any kind you like.

The key is to chop them small so they don’t overpower the other flavors in the taco.

You can fry them, which is traditional, or you can roast them in the oven with a little oil and some of your favorite spices.
Another option is to pickle them, which adds a nice acidity to balance out the richness of the meat and cheese in the taco.

No matter how you prepare them, onions are a must-have in any good taco.

Green peppers

Green peppers will add color, crunch, and a little bit of sweetness to your tacos.

My favorite way to prepare them is to slice them thinly and sauté them in a little oil until they are just starting to soften.

Then I add them into the taco filling, whether that’s ground beef, shredded chicken, or beans.

You could also roast or grill your peppers before adding them to the tacos for a smokier flavor.

Jalapeños

Many people love some heat in their tacos, and one of the best vegetables to add for this purpose is the jalapeño.

You can leave them whole, slice them, or dice them.

I prefer to slice them thinly so that they don’t overpower the other flavors in the taco, but you can do whatever you like.

If you want to tone down the heat a bit, you can remove the seeds and veins before adding them to your taco.

Another way to add some delicious flavor to your tacos is to char the jalapeños on a grill or in a hot pan before adding them.

This brings out a smoky flavor that is amazing in tacos.

Garlic

Garlic is like a superhero vegetable.

It makes everything taste better, and it’s good for you too.

I love garlic in tacos because it adds so much flavor without being overwhelming.

You can just throw a few cloves in with your meat as it’s cooking, or you can mince it up and add it to your taco filling.

Another great way to use garlic in tacos is to roast whole heads of garlic and then squeeze the softened cloves into your taco filling or onto your taco itself.

Roasted garlic is sweet and mellow, and it goes really well with the other flavors in tacos.

Beans

There are tons of different beans you could use for tacos, but my personal favorite is the black bean.

I like to cook them with a little garlic, onion, and cumin.

Once they’re nice and soft, I add some chopped tomatoes and green chilies.

That mixture goes great in a soft taco shell with some shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.

You could also use refried beans, which are delicious when made from scratch (trust me, it’s worth the effort).

Just be sure to add some spice to them if you go that route.

Corn

Why not add some beautiful yellow color, and sweet flavor to your tacos with corn?

There are many ways to cook corn, but my favorites for tacos are grilled or roasted.

To grill, simply husk the ears of corn and throw them on the grill over medium-high heat.

Roasting is a bit more work, but so worth it.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the kernels off the cob (you can do this raw or cooked) and spread them in an even layer on a baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Roast for 10-15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until they are slightly browned and caramelized.
Add them to your tacos while they’re still hot!

Cucumber

Cucumbers might not add a ton of flavor to tacos, but they do add a refreshing crunch that contrasts well with the other ingredients.

Plus, they’re healthy! I like to slice them thinly and add them to my tacos raw, but you could also pickle them for a little extra flavor.

If you want to get really fancy, you could even make cucumber salsa.

Just chop up some cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños (seeds optional depending on how spicy you like it), and mix it all together.

Yum!

Zucchini

I see zucchini as a blank canvas that can be transformed into whatever you want it to be.

It’s great in tacos because it’s versatile and takes on the flavor of whatever you’re cooking it with.

My favorite way to prepare zucchini for tacos is to slice it thin, coat it in olive oil and a little bit of chili powder, and then roast it in the oven until it’s crispy.

Another great way to prepare zucchini for tacos is to shred it, sauté it with some onions and garlic, and then add it to your taco filling.

Yellow squash

Another great way to add some color, flavor, and nutrition to your tacos is with yellow squash.

You can shred it, dice it, or even slice it into thin strips.

One of my favorite ways to prepare yellow squash for tacos is to simply slice it thinly length-wise and then pan fry it until it’s slightly browned and tender.

This makes a great taco filling on its own, or you can mix it with other vegetables or proteins.

Carrots

Carrots will certainly add some crunch if you don’t cook them too much.

I like to julienne them or cut them into thin strips so they are easy to eat in a taco.

You could also grate them, but I find that grated carrots can get lost in the other ingredients and you don’t get as much of that satisfying crunch.

One of my favorite ways to prepare carrots for tacos is to roast them with a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Then I add them into my taco fillings or toppings along with other roasted veggies or fresh greens.

Radishes

Something magical happens when you throw in some radishes to your tacos.

They add the perfect amount of crunch and a touch of sweetness that takes your tacos to the next level.

My favorite way to prepare radishes for tacos is to slice them thinly and then throw them in a pickling mixture overnight (or at least a few hours).

This adds even more crunch and a nice tang.

Another great way to prepare radishes for tacos is to shave them into thin strips using a mandoline or vegetable peeler.

This gives you long, thin pieces that can really soak up all the flavors in your taco filling.

Avocado

Avocado adds a creamy richness to tacos that is unmatched by any other vegetable.

I love to add avocado to my tacos in a few different ways.

The simplest way is just to slice it up and add it to the taco filling, but you can also mash it up and use it as a taco sauce or even fry it up and use it as a crunchy topping.

My personal favorite way to prepare avocado for tacos is to fry it up with some garlic and onion.

It gets nice and crispy on the outside while still being soft and creamy on the inside, and the garlic and onion add an extra layer of flavor that takes the tacos from good to great.

Olives

Lastly, there’s the humble olive.

I love black olives in my tacos for their salty, briny flavor.

I usually just slice them up and add them to the taco filling, but you could also try marinating them in a little bit of olive oil, vinegar, and spices.

If you want to get really fancy, you could even stuff them with a little bit of cheese before adding them to your tacos.

FAQ

What Veggies Go in Taco Salad?

Some of the best vegetables for taco salad include iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, black olives, kidney beans, and corn. You can also add shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado for extra flavor and texture.

What Vegetables Go in Taco Soup?

Since taco soup is a Mexican-inspired dish, common vegetables to add include tomatoes, onions, corn, black beans, and bell peppers. Other vegetables that could be used are diced potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, and green chilies.

What Veggies Go in Fish Tacos?

Some common veggies that go in fish tacos are cabbage, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños. You can also add avocado or guacamole for extra creaminess and flavor.

What Veggies Go in Beef Tacos?

Since beef is a strong flavor, it can be paired with almost any vegetable. For beef tacos, common vegetables include lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Other vegetables that go well with beef tacos are mushrooms, zucchini, and broccoli.

7 Vegetables That Go with Cajun Food

What Vegetables Go with Pork Chops? (15 Veggies)

What Vegetables Go in Yellow Curry? (15 Best Veggies)

What Vegetables Go in Turkey Soup? (13 Best Veggies)

What Vegetables Go in Wonton Soup? (15 Best Veggies)

What Vegetables Go with Teriyaki Chicken? (11 Veggies)

What Vegetables Go with Lamb Curry? 13 Best Vegetables

What Vegetables to Serve with Chicken Cacciatore

What Vegetables Go with Chicken Pesto Pasta? (13 Veggies)

What Vegetables Go in Tuna Casserole? (11 Best Veggies)

What Vegetables Go in Tacos? (15 Best Veggies)