Taco Night with Friends: A Cozy Swedish Tradition

Last Friday, my daughter Losinda and I had the pleasure of being invited to a taco night at my friend’s house. We spent the evening together in the coziest way possible—enjoying tacos and watching Swedish Idol. It was the perfect way to wrap up the week, especially on a rainy Friday.

As we sat around the table, assembling our tacos with all the delicious fillings, it reminded me just how much of a tradition taco night has become in Sweden. For so many families, tacos are a must on Fridays, often referred to as “Fredagsmys” (Friday coziness). It’s a time to relax and kick off the weekend. 

History of Swedish Tacos:

Tacos weren’t always a part of the Swedish food scene, but they’ve steadily become a Friday-night staple since the late 1980s and 1990s. What started as a novelty imported from Tex-Mex cuisine quickly grew in popularity, thanks to its fun, customizable nature and the easy prep that makes it perfect for family gatherings.

However, Swedish tacos are a bit different from traditional Mexican or Tex-Mex versions. Instead of spicy salsas and slow-cooked meats, Swedish tacos typically include a variety of mild ingredients like ground beef, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, grated cheese, and a dollop of crème fraîche or taco sauce. The tortillas are often served alongside crispy taco shells, offering a mix of textures. The beauty of Swedish taco night lies in its simplicity and the way it brings people together. 

A Rainy Friday, Tacos, and Swedish Idol

On that rainy Friday, as we sat on the couch with our plates full of tacos, Swedish Idol playing on the TV in the background, it felt like the perfect mix of comfort and fun. We chatted, laughed, and cheered for our favorite contestants, all while sneaking bites of tacos.

For me, nights like this are the essence of what I love most—good food, great company, and the little traditions that make life feel warm and special. My daughter Losinda loved spending time with her friend, and it was heartwarming to see them giggling together while making their tacos just how they liked them. 

Ingredients:

500g ground beef (or vegetarian mince for a meat-free version)

1 packet taco seasoning (Swedish-style, mild and slightly sweet)

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for frying)

8 hard taco shells

8 soft flour tortillas

Taco Toppings:

1 head of iceberg lettuce, shredded

2 tomatoes, diced

1 cucumber, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup grated cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup taco sauce (mild or medium, depending on your preference)

1 small jar of salsa (mild or medium)

1 avocado, sliced (optional)

Sweet corn

Pickled jalapeños (if you like a little kick)

Fresh cilantro (for a bit of freshness)

Lime wedges (for extra tang)

To do:

1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or vegetarian mince) and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula. Once cooked through, add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes until the water has reduced and the beef is coated in the seasoning. Set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the hard taco shells on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for 5 minutes until they’re crispy. For the tortillas, you can wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven for the same amount of time, or warm them one by one in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds on each side.

3. While the beef is cooking and the taco shells are warming, chop and prepare all your toppings: shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper, slice the onion, and grate the cheese. Place all the toppings in individual bowls so that everyone can assemble their own tacos.

4. Lay out all the taco components—ground beef, shells, tortillas, and toppings—on the table. Let everyone grab a plate and start building their tacos however they like! Whether you prefer a crispy taco shell or a soft tortilla, the fun part is making it your own.

Swedish taco night is all about simplicity and fun. It’s a meal that encourages everyone to gather around the table, share stories from the week, and build their tacos just the way they like them. Plus, with all the colorful toppings and the mix of textures, it feels like a little fiesta every Friday evening. 

Shell tacos - recipe

Today has been a long day. Midwife appointment in the morning, which went well and work in afternoon. 

I was shattered by the time I came home. We had only two bags of beef minced meat at home in the freezer and loads of vegetables. I quickly asked hubby to buy avocado, taco shells and sour cream. It was time for taco evening. This is how I made it.

Ingredients:

200-300 g beef minced meat

2-3 tbsp tomato pure

1/3 cup frozen sweetcorn

1 can red kidney beans

Taco seasoning

2 small onions

Taco shells

Cheddar cheese and sour cream

Salsa: tomato, lettuce, onion, avocado, lime juice, fresh coriander, dried parsley.

Method:

1. Fry the minced meat on high heat until browned. Add onions and beans and let brown as well. Add the taco seasoning and tomato pure as well as 1 cup water. Once it boils, turn down heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes until the water reduces.

2. Make the salsa while the sauce is simmering. Chop tomatoes, onions, lettuce and avocado as much as you like. Season with lime juice, fresh coriander and dried parsley to your taste. 

3. Once the taco sauce is done, serve everything together in small plates. Fill a taco shell with the sauce, sour cream, salsa and Cheddar cheese. That is my favourite combo😄

  

Enjoy!

Beef Tacos with Salsa - Recipe

One of my favorite stores here in the UK is TIGER, a Scandinavian store with a wide range of fun and stylish products. what I particularly love about this store is the variety of spices they offer. Today, I went to buy three different spices: dried basil, dried dill, and, of course, the taco spice mix (1£/ each). This mix sparked the idea of making the super simple dish, tacos, as we call them in Sweden. It is a Tex Mex inspired dish that's easy to make and doesn't require much effort or time.  

Serves 3-4

Ingredients: 
500g minced meat (I used beef)

4 large tomatoes, chopped

2 onions, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped
1/2 cup of sweet corn
dried basil, 1 teaspoon
lemon juice from 1 lemon
salt to taste
parsley
1 avocado, diced
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons tomato puree
tortillas and tortilla chips
soured cream
2 tablespoons of taco spice mix
1/2 cup of water

Process:

1- I began doing the salsa which is very simple. Chop the tomatoes, 1 onion, parsley, 1 bell pepper, and avocado. Mix them together and add salt, lemon juice, and dried basil. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

2- For the taco sauce, fry the minced meat in olive oil over medium heat until brown and crumbly. Break up any large pieces with a spoon. Add chopped veggies like bell pepper, parsley, and sweet corn, and fry for a few minutes. Then, add the taco spice, salt, tomato puree, and water. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3- Once the taco sauce is done, I served it with the salsa, tortillas, chips, and sour cream. It's a filling and tasty meal!

In Sweden, it's common to chop up veggies like tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, and sweet corn and serve them in separate bowls along with guacamole, sour cream, meat sauce, salsa sauce, and grated cheese. I've spent many fun nights with friends enjoying this simple yet delicious dish.

Another great recipet I plan to try soon is the beef tacos recipe by allrecipes.co.uk. But if you prefer chicken instead, I recommend Jamie Oliver's Chicken Fajitas with homemade guacamole and salsa. It is truly a delicious dish, perfect for a Friday night in front of a great movie :) 

Enjoy :)