Every Topping You Need For The Perfect Taco Bar (2024)

There's nothing quite like the taco. It's the perfect handheld food. Many traditional Mexican tacos are topped with white onions, cilantro, maybe some sliced radishes, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of salsa or hot sauce, but toppings can vary by region (both in Mexico and the U.S.) and taco type. Fish tacos are often topped with cool cabbage slaws, fruit salsas like mango or pineapple, and avocado; classic tacos al pastor always have sliced pineapple; and Tex-Mex tacos might have cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

While there's no limit when it comes to what you choose to top your tacos with, we've rounded up some of the best taco toppings you might come across—from the classic veggies and salsas to those with a bit of a twist.

Of course, the base of all good tacos is the protein. And whether you're cooking up fried fish, grilled mahi mahi, shredded chicken, carne asada, or vegan ground beef, we've got the perfect toppings (and recipes!) to keep you coming back for seconds, thirds...you get it. Here are some recipes for easy tacos and homemade tortillas to get you started.

White onions are a classic taco topping that you'll find on many street tacos. They're crisp, sharp, and add the perfect bite.

Another traditional taco staple is cilantro. The fragrant herb is great sprinkled on top or blended into fresh salsas.

Thanks to Samin Nosrat, we know the elements of good cooking are salt, fat, acid, and heat. When it comes to tacos, you can't skip the acid. A little squeeze of lime adds the perfect zing needed to round out all the flavors.

Cool, crisp, and a bit peppery, sliced radishes are another traditional topping you might see on tacos.

Guacamole isn't just for tortilla chips. Our guacamole recipe has onions, lime juice, and seasonings to add a punch to your tacos—especially if you aren't adding other toppings. Sliced avocado or a creamy avocado crema are other great options.

Unlike salsa, where all the ingredients are blended, pico de gallo is a mixture, so it'll add a nice chunky texture to any taco. It's also excellent for scooping with tortilla chips.

You can never skimp the salsa or hot sauce. With profiles ranging from spicy and smoky to sweet and tangy, your salsa or hot sauce can really change up the flavor of your tacos.

You can't forget the cheese! When it comes to topping tacos, queso fresco or cotija cheese work well because of their crumbly nature. Queso fresco is a pretty mild cheese, while cotija is saltier and drier.