The Single Ingredient That Will Take Your Tacos To The Next Level

Let me start by saying there is nothing better than a good taco and it doesn’t take a lot of bells and whistles to make one great. Some of the best tacos I’ve ever had are simple street tacos and they often only use a few humble ingredients: flavorful meat, a fresh garnish, and a good tortilla.

So what takes a ho-hum taco to a new level of greatness? It comes down to the seasoning and flavor of the meat. There are countless taco recipes and endless combinations of ingredients, but regardless of what you’re putting inside your tortilla, the easiest way to take a taco to the next level is by adding smoke.

How Do You Get Smokiness Without Smoke?

You might be thinking “smoke isn’t an ingredient”, but there are ample ways to add smoky flavor to a dish without smoke. While you can mix together a homemade seasoning or whip up a flavorful marinade from scratch, the easiest way to add a smokiness to tacos without hours of work is turning to pantry staples like chipotles in adobo sauce or smoked paprika. These simple ingredients are an easy and flavorful way to take your taco bar to a whole new level.

What Are Chipotles In Adobo? 

When it comes to canned goods, chipotles in adobo sauce are a pantry staple... and a small jar packs a punch. Chipotles are simply dried and smoked jalapeño peppers, which in this case are then simmered in a rich tomato-like sauce to soak in all the flavor. While this canned goodness is naturally spicy from the peppers, the smokiness balances out the heat for a still palatable dish. 

How To Use Chipotles In Adobo For Tacos? 

While some recipes might just call for the sauce or the peppers, you’ll get the best flavor from using both. You can keep the chipotles whole or chop them up to mix in with your meat. This is great when making shredded chicken or other taco meat in a slow-cooker.

For a more paste-like mixture, puree the liquid and peppers together for a smooth texture. You can then rub this onto whole pieces of meat or shrimp before cooking, or stir it directly into pulled chicken or pork. Chipotles in adobo can also be used to flavor veggies for a vegetarian-style taco.

While I love a spicy dish, if that’s not your cup of tea you can take the heat down a notch without taking away from the smoky flavor by adding a hint of sweetness with honey or maple syrup.

Why You Should Substitute Smoked Paprika For The Regular Spice

If you’re looking for a less-spicy alternative that will still add a touch of smoky flavor to your dish, try smoked paprika. If you’re a Southerner, you’re likely quite familiar with the non-smoked version of the spice, as it appears in many classic recipes from deviled eggs and potato salad to cheese straws, but I’d say both versions belong in your spice cabinet. I regularly use smoked paprika in lieu of regular even when a recipe calls for it. The spice adds the just-right amount of smokiness to any dish from Southern classics to taco recipes.