Blackened Texas Hot Link Tacos with Pickled Onions
Spicy blackened Texas hot link sausage slices nestled in warm tortillas, topped with tangy pickled onions and creamy avocado for balanced bold flavors. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs Texas hot link sausages, taco seasoning (blackening spice mix), vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 links (about 12 oz) Texas hot link sausages
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning (blackening spice mix)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 medium ripe avocado (sliced)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
- for serving lime wedges
The cast-iron skillet we’d sear this in → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare pickled onions by combining 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat gently until sugar dissolves, then pour over 1 thinly sliced small red onion in a jar. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Slice 4 Texas hot link sausages into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Toss the slices with 2 tablespoons blackening spice mix evenly.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until blackened and heated through.
- Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas over an open flame or in a dry skillet until pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble the tacos by layering the sausage slices on tortillas, topping with pickled onions, slices of 1 medium ripe avocado, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 6: Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the tacos for a fresh finish.







