The Official Guide to Taco Night at Home

Five ingredients. Ten minutes. Restaurant quality. No chef, no mess, no compromises

From America's #1 Vegan Taqueria

The Official Guide to Taco Night at Home

Five ingredients. Ten minutes. Restaurant quality. No chef, no mess, no compromises.

⏱ 10 min prep · 👥 Serves 4 · ⭐ 5-star rated · 🌱 100% plant-based

We've been making tacos at Tacotarian since 2018. We've served thousands of guests across our restaurants, been voted one of the Top 100 Taquerias in America, and spent years perfecting the bold, slow-cooked flavors that make people drive across town just to eat with us.

Then people started asking: "How do I get these at home?"

So we spent two years developing our shelf-stable pouches — and not just the product, but the exact method to recreate what comes out of our restaurant kitchen in your home in under ten minutes. This is that guide.

"Most people have never tasted plant-based food that actually makes them crave it again. That's what we set out to change — and taco night at home is where it starts." — 

What You Need

The beauty of Tacotarian at home is how little you need. The filling does the heavy lifting. Everything else is just the setup.

Your Shopping List

• 1 Tacotarian filling pouch — Birria or Barbacoa (serves 4–6)
• Small corn tortillas — street taco size, 4" is perfect
• White onion — finely diced, not red, not yellow. White.
• Fresh cilantro — roughly chopped, stems are fine
• Lime wedges — at least one per person, ideally two
• Optional: vegan cheese
  
• Optional: Salsa verde or tomatillo sauce — pairs especially well with Barbacoa
• Optional SideSpanish Rice (skip the hassle version here)
• Optional Side Black beans
• Optional Side guacamole

That's it. Five items on the required list. The optionals are for when you want to go full restaurant mode , but the classic setup is perfect as-is.

Know Your Filling

Both fillings work with this exact setup, but they have distinct personalities. Here's how to choose — or why the 4-Pack Variety is the best first order.

Plant-Based Birria Made with Beyond Meat + Jackfruit

Rich, deeply spiced, slow-cooked flavor with that signature smoky braise. This is the one people drive to our restaurant for. Bold and complex with a depth that surprises people. Best for quesatacos. Our most popular filling.

Plant-Based Barbacoa Made with Jackfruit

Savory, tender, and full of traditional Mexican spices. Made with jackfruit the way it was meant to be done — no shortcuts. Slightly more subtle than Birria but just as crave-worthy. Pairs beautifully with salsa verde.

Not sure which to pick? Order the 4-Pack Variety. You get both and you'll know which one you're obsessed with by taco number two.

The Method — Step by Step

There are two ways to heat your Tacotarian filling. Both work perfectly. Use the stovetop method if you want slight caramelization on the edges. Use the boil method if you want hands-off with zero cleanup.

Stovetop Method (Recommended)

1. Open and pour — Empty the filling pouch directly into a non-stick pan over medium heat. No oil needed — the filling has enough moisture to prevent sticking.
2. Heat for 3–5 minutes — Stir occasionally. You're looking for the filling to be heated through and just starting to caramelize on the edges. Don't overcook but don't undercook — you want it moist, not dry, but most people like their texture on the more well done side. 
3. Warm your tortillas — While the filling heats, place tortillas directly on a gas flame or in a dry cast iron pan for 30 seconds per side. They should have char spots and be pliable, not crispy.
4. Build your taco — Two tortillas per taco (stacked) — this is how we do it at the restaurant and it prevents the taco from falling apart. Fill generously. Top with onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime.
5. Eat immediately — Tacos wait for no one. Serve straight from the pan.

Pro Tips From Our Kitchen

These are the things that separate a good taco night from a great one. Our restaurant kitchen team swears by all of these.

Always use corn tortillas, not flour Our fillings are built for corn. The earthy flavor of corn tortillas balances the richness of the birria and barbacoa in a way flour tortillas can't. Street taco size (4") is ideal — easier to handle and the filling-to-tortilla ratio is perfect.

Char your tortillas directly on the flame If you have a gas stove, this is the move. 30 seconds per side directly on the burner grate. The char adds a smokiness that takes the whole taco to another level. If you have electric, a dry cast iron on high heat gets you very close.

Dice your onion fine — not chunky Big pieces of onion overpower the filling. You want a fine dice so the onion adds freshness and bite without taking over. About the size of a grain of rice is where we aim in the restaurant.

More lime than you think you need Lime is a flavor component. Squeeze generously. A full quarter lime per taco is not too much. The acidity cuts through the richness of the filling and brightens everything.

What People Say After Their First Taco Night

We don't have to tell you how good these tacos are. Our customers do it better.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "There is nothing like eating at a Tacotarian restaurant, but being able to have the Plant Based Birria at home is awesome!" — Jen, Verified Buyer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Birria Taco filling was delicious. It is so easy to prepare, just heat and serve. I will definitely purchase again!" — Ellen, Verified Buyer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Delicious with simple ingredients. Great for when I want the flavors without traveling to one of the locations." — Verified Buyer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Waited with desperation for this to arrive based on eating them in person at the San Diego restaurant. Worth every second." — Verified Buyer

Ready for Taco Night?

Get both Birria and Barbacoa in one order. The 4-Pack Starter Kit is the best first order — you'll know which filling you're obsessed with by taco number two.

Already a subscriber? Your next order is on its way. 🌮