A taco with a soft shell is commonly called a soft taco. Soft tacos are made with soft, pliable tortillas rather than the hard, crispy shells used for traditional tacos. The tortilla is filled with typical taco ingredients like meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and more. Soft tacos are popular items at many Mexican restaurants and fast food chains. They offer a different eating experience from hard shell tacos, with some advantages like being less messy and easier to eat. While the exact origins are unclear, soft tacos have become popular well beyond Mexico and are now one of the most common forms of tacos in the United States.
What Is a Soft Taco?
A soft taco is a taco that uses a soft, folded tortilla as its shell instead of a fried hard corn or flour tortilla shell. The tortilla is filled with typical taco fillings, folded over into a half-moon shape, and served. Common soft taco fillings include:
- Meats – Ground beef, shredded chicken, carnitas (fried pork), barbacoa (shredded beef), steak, fish
- Beans – Refried beans, black beans
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar, crumbled queso fresco, queso blanco, Monterey Jack
- Vegetables – Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado
- Salsa and sauces – Pico de gallo, salsa verde, salsa roja, sour cream
The soft tortilla shell allows the ingredients to integrate together as you eat the taco. It also makes a soft taco easier to eat, as you don’t have to bite through a hard, crunchy shell.
Differences from Hard Shell Tacos
There are a few key differences between soft and hard shell tacos:
- Shell – Soft uses a steamed corn or flour tortilla; hard uses a fried corn or flour tortilla
- Texture – Soft is pliable and chewy; hard is crunchy and brittle
- Ease of eating – Soft tacos are easier to eat neatly; hard shells can crack and break
- Portability – Hard shells hold their shape better if eating on the go
- Ingredients – Soft can hold more ingredients without overflowing
While fried hard shells have a distinctive crunch, soft tortillas allow for a more customized taco experience. You can pile on more ingredients without cracking the shell, making soft tacos a go-to for loaded tacos.
History of the Soft Taco
Tacos have been part of Mexican cuisine since at least the 18th century, though the earliest origins of the taco are unknown. They were traditionally made with small, fresh corn tortillas that were soft by nature. The crispy fried shell taco was popularized later, including becoming part of fast food chains in the mid 20th century.
Soft tacos began growing in popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s as Mexican food became trendier. Many Mexican restaurants highlighted the soft taco as an authentic alternative to the hard, crunchy Americanized shell. Regional styles like fajita tacos, fish tacos, and breakfast tacos also helped drive interest in soft versions.
By the 1990s, fast food chains like Taco Bell introduced soft tacos to compete with regional Mexican chains. Their affordable prices and familiar ingredients made soft tacos appealing to the American palate. Today, soft tacos are ubiquitous on Mexican restaurant menus and considered one of the standard taco styles along with hard shells.
Popular Regional Styles of Soft Tacos
While the basic soft taco concept is universal, ingredients and styles vary widely by region. Here are some popular regional variations:
Baja Fish Tacos
Originating in Baja California, these feature lightly fried fish or shrimp with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and a creamy sauce.
Breakfast Tacos
Filled with egg, potato, cheese, bacon and other breakfast ingredients, these are a Texas favorite.
Carne Asada Tacos
Thinly sliced grilled steak is the star of these Mexican tacos often topped with onion, cilantro and lime.
Al Pastor Tacos
Mexican slow-roasted marinated pork topped with pineapple and onion is iconic in these.
California Tacos
Filled with avocado and veggies like lettuce, tomato, onion and sprouts. Some versions add french fries inside!
Popularity of Soft Tacos in America
Soft tacos have become extremely common across the United States. They are now on the menu at most Mexican restaurants, taquerias, fast food chains, and Tex-Mex establishments. Reasons for their popularity include:
- Familiarity – Many Americans grew up eating hard shell tacos and see soft as an easy transition.
- Customization – Diners can request exact toppings and customize to preference.
- Cost – Soft tacos are typically inexpensive, especially from fast food chains.
- Portability – Unlike messy hard shells, soft tacos travel well for on-the-go eating.
- Healthier perception – Folded tortillas seem lighter than fried hard shells.
- Authenticity – For those wanting an more genuine Mexican taco experience.
Their flexibility and approachability make soft tacos one of the most convenient ways for Americans to enjoy the flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Soft Taco Sales Statistics
To demonstrate the dominance of the soft taco in the United States, here are some sales statistics:
| 61% | Percentage of tacos sold at fast food chains in 2018 that were soft tacos compared to 39% hard shells |
| 500 million | Number of soft tacos Taco Bell sells per year, their most popular menu item |
| 26% | Increase in soft taco sales at Taco Bell from 2013 to 2018 |
Clearly soft tacos now dominate the taco market in America. Their versatility and ease of eating make them perfectly suited for fast casual dining.
Benefits of Soft Tacos
There are many advantages that soft tacos have over their crunchy hard-shelled counterparts:
Easier to Eat
Soft tacos are much less prone to cracking, breaking, and spilling ingredients. The pliable tortilla folds nicely around fillings. Hard shells often shatter into sharp pieces that can be hazardous to eat.
Allows for More Fillings
The soft tortilla can hold a large amount of ingredients without ripping. Hard shells have size limitations and often can’t be overloaded. Soft shells make it easier to create ample, fully-packed tacos.
Less Messy
Ingredients tend to stay put in a soft taco and cause less leakage as you eat. Crunchy shells often break and ingredients fly out, causing a mess. Soft shells help contain all the juicy fixings.
Easier to Hold
The folded tortilla provides a natural handle for holding the taco. Hard shells require more cupping and pressure to handle, increasing the chance of breakage. Soft shells make on-the-go eating simpler.
Texture Variety
Alternating between soft and hard shells gives your mouth a variety of textures. Soft allows you to experience ingredients in a different way from a crunchy shell.
Perceived Healthier
Though still high in calories, many perceive soft tacos as a lighter choice compared to fried hard shells. The soft tortilla is equated with being less oily and fatty.
How to Make Soft Tacos
One of the best parts of soft tacos is how easy they are to make fresh at home:
Ingredients
- 8″ flour tortillas or 6″ corn tortillas
- Meat – Chicken, beef, pork, shrimp etc.
- Toppings – Lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, onion, cilantro, guacamole, beans etc.
- Seasonings – Cumin, chili powder, salsa, lime juice, salt
Steps
- Cook meat seasoned with spices, break into smaller pieces
- Warm tortillas in microwave or skillet to soften
- Place tortilla flat and fill center with meat and desired toppings
- Fold tortilla over into a half-moon sealed pocket
- Optional – Lightly pan fry assembled taco to crisp and melt cheese
- Serve tacos with extra toppings like salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges
The great thing about soft tacos is you can improvise with whatever ingredients you have. Switch up proteins, salsas, cheeses, and veggies to create your own signature soft tacos!
Popular Soft Taco Recipes
Here are some of the most beloved recipes for making great soft tacos at home:
Chicken Avocado Tacos
Loaded with grilled chicken, creamy avocado, lettuce, Cotija cheese, and cilantro lime dressing.
Crispy Fish Tacos
Beer battered cod topped with citrusy slaw and chipotle crema is irresistible.
Carne Asada Tacos
Savory, garlicky grilled steak is an easy upgrade to ground beef.
Shrimp Fajita Tacos
Sautéed peppers and onions give a classic fajita flare.
Breakfast Tacos
With egg, bacon, potato, cheese – a delicious morning taco!
Carnitas Tacos
Slow cooked, crispy, juicy carnitas pork is taco perfection.
Where to Find Great Soft Tacos
You can find tasty soft tacos at:
Mexican Restaurants
Authentic establishments will serve a variety of soft taco options from street-style classics to gourmet fusions.
Taquerias and Food Trucks
Specialty taco shops are a good place to find regional soft taco varieties like carne asada, al pastor, and breakfast tacos.
Fast Food Chains
Taco Bell, Del Taco, and others serve budget-friendly Americanized soft tacos, often with special deals.
Grocery Stores
Many large grocery stores now have taqueria stations or prepared foods sections with fresh soft tacos.
Make Your Own
One of the best soft tacos comes from your own kitchen with customized ingredients and flavors.
Common Soft Taco Toppings
One of the best parts of soft tacos is packing them full of tasty toppings. Here are some popular items used to top soft tacos:
| Meat | Veggies | Cheese | Sauce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | Lettuce | Cheddar | Salsa |
| Steak | Tomato | Monterey Jack | Sour Cream |
| Carnitas | Onion | Queso Fresco | Guacamole |
| Shrimp | Avocado | Cotija | Lime Crema |
| Beans | Cilantro | Oaxaca | Mole |
Key Considerations for Great Soft Tacos
Here are some tips to keep in mind when making or ordering soft tacos:
- Use fresh, soft tortillas warmed to be pliable
- Don’t overfill – ingredients should fit neatly folded in the tortilla
- Cut large pieces of meat small to make bites easier to eat
- Include moist ingredients to prevent dryness
- Press or pan fry lightly after assembling to meld flavors
- Serve immediately before tortillas can become soggy
- Have extra toppings available for adding more flavor
Proper assembly and high quality ingredients help maximize soft taco enjoyment. Don’t be afraid to customize to your preferences!
Common Soft Taco Mistakes
It’s easy to mess up soft tacos. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Using low quality, dry, or undersized tortillas
- Overfilling so ingredients fall out of the tortilla
- Underfilling with too little ingredients inside
- Assembling too far ahead of time and letting tortillas become soggy
- Not heating tortillas enough so they crack when folded
- Overcooking meat so it becomes tough, stringy, and dry
- Insufficient drainage of greasy meats making tacos oily
- Using boring, bland ingredients instead of spices and flavorful toppings
A little trial and error helps perfect your soft taco craft. The beauty is that even mistakes usually still taste delicious!
FAQs
Here are answers to some common soft taco questions:
Are soft or hard tacos more authentic?
Soft corn tortillas are more traditional and authentic to Mexican street taco culture. Hard shells were popularized later in America.
Which is healthier – soft or hard tacos?
Soft tacos are generally somewhat healthier since hard shells are deep fried in oil, adding more fat and calories.
Do soft or hard tacos have fewer carbs?
Soft and hard shells have very similar carbohydrate counts. Fillings usually determine overall carb content more.
How long do assembled soft tacos last?
For best quality, soft tacos are ideally eaten right after assembly. They can be kept in the fridge 1-2 days before tortillas get soggy.
Should you toast soft taco shells?
You can toast soft tortillas in a skillet or microwave briefly to warm and add a touch of crispy texture before assembling tacos.
What size tortilla is best for soft tacos?
6 inch flour or corn tortillas are typical. Smaller street taco size or larger 8 inch burrito size tortillas also work well.
Conclusion
Soft tacos have become one of the most popular everyday taco styles in America. Their soft, pliable tortillas make tacos easy to assemble and eat without the mess and fuss of hard shells. Loaded with juicy meats, melty cheese, fresh veggies, and zesty salsas, it’s no wonder soft tacos have become a staple of Mexican restaurants across the country. Their versatility and approachability have made the soft taco a ubiquitous cross-cultural food loved by Americans everywhere.