Why You’ll Love Easy Sausage Tacos Recipe
These tacos are fast, flavorful, and perfect for busy evenings. The sausage cooks quickly and delivers rich, seasoned meat without needing a long simmer. Plus, everyone gets to build their own tacos with their favorite toppings, making it a crowd‑pleaser for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil
1 (1‑pound) package fresh Mexican chorizo or pork sausage links
2 teaspoons chili powder (if using mild or unseasoned pork sausage)
12 taco‑sized soft corn tortillas
Optional toppings: finely chopped romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced red onion, crumbled queso fresco or cotija, cubed avocado, chopped cilantro, hot sauce or salsa
Directions
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Heat the oil in a skillet over medium‑high heat.
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Cut the sausage links lengthwise with a paring knife and push the meat into the skillet, discarding the casings. Break up the sausage into crumbles with a wooden spatula.
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After the sausage begins to brown and release its fat (about 3–4 minutes), stir in the chili powder if using. Continue cooking until the sausage is cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl.
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Clean the skillet and return it to medium‑high heat. Add tortillas in a single layer and warm each side for 30–60 seconds until heated through. Keep the warmed tortillas covered with a clean towel to stay warm.
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Serve the cooked sausage with the warmed tortillas and toppings, letting everyone assemble their own tacos.
Servings and timing
Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Variations
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Spicy Variation: Use spicy chorizo or add extra chili flakes for more heat.
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Breakfast Tacos: Add scrambled eggs and shredded cheese to turn these into hearty breakfast tacos.
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Vegetable Add-ins: Mix in sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for added texture and nutrition.
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Taco Bowl Style: Skip the tortillas and serve over rice or greens with toppings for a low-carb version.
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Cheesy Melt: Sprinkle cheese over the hot sausage and let it melt before serving for gooey richness.
Storage/Reheating
To store leftover cooked sausage, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave in short bursts, stirring between. Keep tortillas separate and warm them in a dry skillet or microwave just before serving.
FAQs
What kind of sausage is best for tacos?
Fresh Mexican‑style chorizo adds bold flavor, but mild pork sausage seasoned with chili powder works well too.
Can I use ground sausage instead of links?
Yes, using bulk ground sausage saves the step of removing casings and cooks quickly.
Are corn or flour tortillas better?
Corn tortillas provide a more traditional texture, but flour tortillas are soft and pliable if you prefer them.
How do I prevent tortillas from tearing when warming?
Warm them slowly in a dry skillet and flip gently, or wrap in a damp towel and microwave briefly.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can cook the sausage ahead and reheat when ready to assemble. Warm tortillas just before serving.
Is it possible to freeze the cooked sausage?
Yes, freeze cooked sausage in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What toppings work well with these tacos?
Lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, cilantro, and salsa are classic choices.
Can I make this gluten‑free?
Yes, use certified gluten‑free tortillas.
How spicy are these tacos?
Spiciness depends on the sausage and amount of chili powder you use; adjust to taste.
Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Yes, sautéed peppers or onions can be added to the sausage for extra flavor and texture.
Conclusion
Easy sausage tacos are a quick and satisfying dinner that come together in under 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and prep. Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting taco night, this simple recipe delivers bold flavor and plenty of options for customizing each taco just the way you like it.
Easy Sausage Tacos
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
These easy sausage tacos are a quick and flavorful twist on traditional tacos, featuring savory ground sausage, sautéed vegetables, and your favorite toppings, all wrapped in warm tortillas. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 pound bulk sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, cooking until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt to taste. Cook for 1 more minute to blend the flavors.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet, in the oven, or microwave until pliable.
- Spoon the sausage mixture into the tortillas.
- Top with shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream, salsa or pico de gallo, and avocado if using.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can use any type of bulk sausage—pork, turkey, or chicken—for this recipe.
- Add extra veggies like corn or zucchini for variety.
- Double the batch and save leftovers for breakfast tacos.
- Use store-bought taco seasoning if you don’t have individual spices.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
