6 Great Meat & Sausage Fillings for Taco Tuesdays

Although this may be surprising coming from Lodi's favorite butcher shop – one with Midwestern and German roots, no less – we think tacos are the perfect food. Think about it: they're incredibly versatile and can easily be customized to accommodate individual tastes and dietary needs. They also come together quickly, can be repurposed into other meals, and easily feed a crowd on a budget. 

It's easy to associate tacos with simple chicken or ground beef. While there's nothing wrong with those classics, they're just the tip of the iceberg. To expand your tortilla-wrapped horizons, the Lakewood Meats & Sausage crew is sharing our favorite taco fillings, all made with our premium quality meats and hand-tied sausages. From light and healthy to rich and indulgent, there's something here for every taste.

1. Steak 

Few taco fillings are more authentic than steak. Whether you simply grill and slice a New York strip or slow-marinate a top sirloin for carne asada, steak is delicious in tacos. As a bonus, it doesn't need much in terms of toppings – lime, pico de gallo, and red onions go a long way. To make the prep as effortless and quick as possible, use our marinated skirt steak. 

"We offer premium quality chuck roast for carne asada tacos," said Rochelle Holder, owner of Lakewood Meats & Sausage. She added, "But call 24 hours in advance to place an order because we have to freeze the roast before slicing." 

2. Chicken

Chicken tacos make an excellent quick and healthy meal. We sell a variety of marinated chicken breasts and thighs, all ready-to-cook. Try jalapeno lime or honey chipotle for a bit of a kick, or the Key West for a fresh citrus flavor profile. Serve chicken tacos with avocado, cilantro, and fresh fruit salsa.

3. Shredded Pork 

Pork loin cooks up wonderfully when a "low and slow" method is used. Try using a crockpot or Dutch oven to cook up a batch of carnitas, shredded pork made with citrus and a variety of savory spices like oregano and cumin. When it's finished, simply shred it up and serve in tacos. 

4. Ground Beef

Humble, affordable, and quick to prepare, ground beef is a taco filling staple. It's often overshadowed by other premium quality meats like steak and pork loin, but absolutely deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation – especially as tacos. We prefer using a very simple taco seasoning, then browning the ground beef with onions and garlic. 

5. Lamb

Lamb is probably not what first comes to mind when you think of tacos, but it's a unique and incredibly flavorful filling. Use lamb shanks or ground lamb to make Mediterranean-inspired tacos, such as Greek lamb tacos with tzatziki sauce. 

6. Sausage

Breakfast tacos are a game-changer, a wonderful way to make busy weekday mornings a little easier. Choose your favorite among our hand-tied sausages, then add scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, and any other toppings you prefer. Our apple sausage makes wonderful breakfast tacos, and customers love our Smoked Spanish Chorizo.

Stop into Lodi's favorite butcher shop for all your Taco Tuesday (and any other night!) needs. We also sell a variety of scratch-made side dishes and desserts. Don't forget to tag us in your creations @lakewoodmeats – we'd love to see what you cook up!