Tacos are a popular Mexican food typically made by folding or rolling a tortilla around a tasty filling. Soft shell tacos specifically refer to tacos made with soft, pliable corn or flour tortillas rather than the crispy, crunchy fried tortilla “shells” used for hard shell tacos. The fillings and toppings for soft shell tacos can be highly customizable, but there are some typical ingredients that give these tacos their distinctly delicious flavor.
Tortillas
The base of any taco is the tortilla. For soft shell tacos, flour or corn tortillas are used. Flour tortillas have a soft, pliable texture perfect for rolling or folding without cracking. Corn tortillas also work well for soft shell tacos as long as they are fresh and warm. Either type of tortilla can be warmed on a hot skillet or griddle right before assembly to make them nice and pliable.
Flour Tortillas
Flour tortillas are made from wheat flour (usually a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flours), water, fat (like lard, vegetable oil, or shortening), salt, and sometimes baking powder or other leavening agents. The ingredients are mixed together into a dough, kneaded briefly, then rolled flat and cooked on a very hot surface for a short time. This gives flour tortillas their soft, pillowy texture.
Corn Tortillas
Corn tortillas are made from masa, which is corn that has been nixtamalized. This means the corn is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution, usually limewater or food-grade lime. The process partially breaks down the corn so that when it is ground into masa, it becomes soft and pliable. Masa is combined with water and salt to form the dough for corn tortillas. The dough is pressed into thin rounds and cooked on a hot surface like a griddle or comal. Good corn tortillas are soft and have a unique sweet corn flavor.
Fillings
The fillings for soft shell tacos are what really make them delicious. Traditional Mexican soft tacos are filled with protein, onions, cilantro, and salsa. Here are some common soft taco fillings:
- Seasoned ground beef or shredded beef
- Shredded chicken – especially tasty with Mexican-style seasoning
- Carnitas – slow cooked, shredded pork
- Refried or whole pinto beans
- Grilled fish
- Sauteed veggies like peppers and onions
- Chorizo – spicy Mexican sausage
The meat or main ingredient is usually seasoned boldly with spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic, and pepper. Onions, peppers, tomatoes, or other veggies are sauteed to add flavor. Beans make a good vegetarian protein option. Grilled veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms also work well.
Toppings and Condiments
In addition to the fillings, toppings and condiments add even more flavor and texture to soft tacos. Here are some typical taco toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomato
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Shredded cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Hot sauce like Cholula or Tapatio
Crunchy, fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro contrast nicely with the textures of the fillings. Creamy ingredients like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream add moisture and cooling relief from spicy fillings. Tangy salsas and hot sauces bring even more Mexican flavor. Grated cheese on top provides the perfect melted, gooey finish.
Putting It All Together
Once you have your warm tortilla and yummy fillings ready, it’s time to assemble the tacos. Simply place your desired amount of filling in the center of the tortilla, then fold or roll the tortilla around it. A few final toppings like lettuce, cheese, salsa complete the taco. Some people like to lightly grill or pan-fry assembled soft tacos just to warm them through.
Part of the fun of tacos is customizing them just how you like! Try out different meats, veggies, salsas and toppings each time. Here are a few tasty soft taco recipe ideas:
- Chicken – shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole
- Carne asada – marinated steak, onion, cilantro, salsa
- Fish – grilled white fish, cabbage slaw, avocado crema
- Breakfast – scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, potato
- Veggie – beans, lettuce, tomato, roasted veggies, pepper jack cheese
Key Takeaways
- Soft shell taco shells are made from warm, pliable corn or flour tortillas.
- Traditional fillings include seasoned meat, onions, cilantro and salsa.
- Toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream add flavor and texture.
- There are endless possibilities for creative, customized soft taco fillings.
- Soft tacos are assembled by putting fillings in the tortilla then folding or rolling.
With the right combination of tortillas, fillings, toppings and condiments you can create all kinds of delicious soft tacos. Now that you know what they’re made of, it’s time to start making your own!