The 8 Best Taco Holders of 2023 | by The Spruce Eats

Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis

Eating and making tacos can be both a joy and a challenge. Tacos are sometimes messy to eat and hard to put on a plate without all of the fillings spilling out—that’s why taco holders are a stylish and functional alternative to your plain old flat platter. They hold your tacos upright to make sure that your beautiful creations won’t tip over, keeping your tacos’ insides contained.

The best taco holders are made of high-quality, sturdy materials that are easy to clean. They come in many different styles, shapes, and sizes, from minimalist metal holders to those shaped like dinosaurs and other animals for kids of all ages. And while they may seem like an added luxury, taco holders are an inviting and mess-free way to present your recipes.

Whether you're looking for a taco holder that highlights convenience, makes a statement, or both, we rounded up a list of our favorite ones in anticipation of your next taco night.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Prepara Taco Holder at Amazon

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Best Value:

Cuisense Taco Holders at Amazon

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Best Dinosaur:

Penko Dinosaur Taco Holders at Amazon

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Best Metal:

Chicago Metallic Taco Rack at Amazon

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Best Disposable:

MT Products Disposable Taco Holder at Amazon

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Best Ceramic:

Maxio-One Taco Stand at Amazon

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Best Wood:

Rissetree Taco Holder Rack at Amazon

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Best Plastic:

Charmount Taco Holders at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQs
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Amazon

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What We Like

Fun decorative design in multiple colors
Reversible
Sturdy melamine
Can hold multiple soft or hard tacos

What We Don't Like

Not heat-proof
Slippery design
A little narrow

The fun and festive design of Prepara taco holders makes every day a taco party. The sturdy melamine construction comes in three different reversible colors: red, blue, and yellow. The solid-colored side holds up to three tacos, while the beautifully printed side holds up to two. The designs mimic traditional Mexican ceramics but without the breakability of real ceramics.

Because of their curvy design, they can hold both hard and soft tacos, but people have complained that the melamine is really slippery. The manufacturer says they are dishwasher safe but recommends handwashing. They also stack for easy storage.

Price at time of publish: $9

Material: Melamine | Size: 3 1/2 x 1.8 x 11 1/2 inches | Holds: 2 or 3 tacos | Care: Hand washing recommended

Amazon

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What We Like

Set of six
Multiple colors
Easy to clean
Stackable

What We Don't Like

Only dishwasher-safe on top rack
Not heat-proof

Taco holders don’t have to be expensive, as this set by Cuisense shows. These taco holders come in a set of 6 in a variety of rainbow colors, and their rounded, wavy shape makes them good for both hard-shelled and soft tacos, hot dog buns, and other foods. The stackable design helps you save space in your pantry for easy storage, too.

They are BPA-free and machine washable, but only on the top rack of your washer, since they are not designed to withstand high heat.

Price at time of publish: $8

Material: High-grade ABS | Size: 6.9 x 2.2 x 1.2 inches each | Holds: Up to 4 tacos | Care: Dishwasher safe (top rack)

Amazon

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What We Like

Fun kid-friendly shape
BPA-free
Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Like

Holds only 2 tacos
Must assemble

Kids of all ages will love the fun design of these taco holders. They come in different shapes and colors—a dark green ultrasaur design, an orange triceratops, or a set of two dinosaurs so your kids won’t have to fight over them. It could be a great way to get children to eat all kinds of things, actually. Who wouldn’t want to eat tacos (and other food) served on a dinosaur?

The manufacturer states that its holders are BPA-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free. So, the dinosaurs are totally food-safe, as one would expect. They are also dishwasher-safe, making taco nights even more enjoyable since cleanup will be a snap.

Price at time of publish: $19

Material: Food-safe plastic | Size: 10.43 x 5.31 x 3.15 inches | Holds: 2 tacos | Care: Dishwasher safe

Chicago Metallic Professional Baked Taco Rack

Amazon

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What We Like

Doubles as a hard-shell taco baker
Heat-safe
Non-stick

What We Don't Like

Design is more industrial
Dishwasher-safe, but hand washing recommended

The beauty of the Chicago professional taco rack is not its design but its functionality. Made from heavy-weight aluminized steel, it doubles as a baking rack to make hard taco shells at home. Its non-stick surface makes it easy to bake the shells without any oil, using either corn or flour tortillas.

The manufacturer states that it’s dishwasher-safe but that hand washing is recommended to keep the non-stick surface intact longer. This works with both hard and soft tacos.

Price at time of publish: $19

Material: Heavy-weight aluminized steel | Size: 7 1/4 x 15 x 3 3/4 inches | Holds: 4 tacos | Care: Dishwasher safe

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MT Products Pulp Fiber Disposable Taco Holder

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What We Like

Disposable and compostable
Sturdy
Good for both hard and soft tacos

What We Don't Like

Only holds two tacos at a time

Made out of compostable pulp fiber, MT Products’ disposable taco holders are sturdy enough to hold hard or soft tacos yet presentable enough to show off your quality ingredients and freshly-made tortillas at a party. Sold in packets of 15, these single-use holders are super convenient.

Perfect for family get-togethers or large taco bar celebrations, cleanup is a cinch since you just throw them in your compostable bins. They hold up to loaded tacos and fit nicely on a large plate if you want to catch any drippings from messy eaters.

Price at time of publish: $14

Material: Pulp fiber | Size: 7 x 4.25 x 3.5 inches | Holds: 2 tacos | Care: Single-use, compostable

Amazon

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What We Like

Made of sturdy and colorful ceramics
Handmade
Holds up to six tacos
Doubles as a serving dish
One-year warranty

What We Don't Like

Breakable
Too large for regular plates
A little on the pricier side

This handmade ceramic taco holder doubles as a serving platter for a more festive taco presentation. You can use the taco stand to hold your tacos as you assemble them, and you can just take it from counter to table without re-plating. The brightly colored design sparks joy, too.

This taco stand holds six tacos for serving multiple people at once. Its sturdy ceramic construction makes it easy to wash by hand or machine, and it comes with a one-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Hand-painted ceramic | Size: 15.51 x 5.98 x 4.49 inches | Holds: Up to 6 tacos | Care: Dishwasher safe

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Amazon

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What We Like

Made of sustainable acacia wood
Holds up to eight soft or hard tacos
Doubles as a server

What We Don't Like

A little difficult to clean
Not dishwasher safe
Not great for large tacos or hot dogs

Made of environmentally-friendly acacia wood, Rissetree’s taco rack is polished smooth with no glue, paint, or any kind of finish, making it safe for serving and preparing food. The taco tray can hold eight tacos, perfect for filling and serving all on the same rack. The tacos would be separated by wooden pegs, which can hold both hard and soft tacos.

Great for parties, the taco rack is durable and sustainable. Just be sure to wash it by hand to keep it from warping, since it is made of wood.

Price at time of publish: $16

Material: Acacia wood | Size: 16.7 x 3.1 x 2.6 inches | Holds: Up to 8 tacos | Care: Hand wash only

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Amazon

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What We Like

Comes in a set of four, six, or eight
Holds two to five tacos each
BPA-free
Microwave- and dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Like

Surface is a bit slippery
Not oven-safe

Made of colorful food-safe polypropylene, the Charmount taco holders make every day a party with their exciting colors. They come in a variety of shades and sizes. You can choose from small sets of four that hold two to three tacos each (depending on which side you flip the holder) or sets of eight holders that hold four to five tacos each (again, depending on which side you flip them).

Regardless of the color or taco capacity, each holder is microwave- and dishwasher-safe, making heating and cleanup simple as can be. Charmount makes both angular- and rounded-bottom styles in a variety of hues.

Price at time of publish: $8

Material: Polypropylene | Size: 7.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches | Holds: 2 to 5 tacos each, depending on design | Care: Dishwasher safe

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Final Verdict

Our top choice is the Prepara Multiple Taco Holder, not only because of its reversible design but also because it’s made of melamine, making it sturdier than real ceramics and easier to clean. If you’re looking for something with great value, the Cuisense Taco Holders come in a set of six for less than $10.

What to Look for in a Taco Holder

Shape

Sure, you want to choose a taco holder with a design that makes you happy, but the shape of the holder will also affect its functionality. Be sure to take a look at the base. Those that are U-shaped (more rounded on the bottom) are good for both hard and soft tacos. Taco holders with more angled, V-shaped bases usually have wider mouths and accommodate tacos with more filling. Some holders have open bottoms, which are best for hard-shelled tacos, since the shells are strong enough to stay in the holder without falling down.

Design

Regardless of your budget, it’s easy to find a taco holder with a design you’ll love. The ones designed for kids of all ages—like those shaped like trucks, unicorns, dinosaurs, elephants, or other animals—can be a fun way to enjoy a meal. They also tend to be a little pricier. Likewise, you'll want to choose a print and/or colors that you love, but be sure to think about the size of the space for your taco, too. If you tend to fill your tacos generously, you’ll want to opt for wider holding spaces.

Materials

The most popular materials for taco holders are metal and plastic, though there are some made of wood, ceramics, or even glass. Those made from food-safe plastic are usually BPA-free, and most of them are microwaveable, which is great if you want to prep everything beforehand and nuke the tacos just before serving. Melamine and other plastic holders can be dishwasher-safe, making them ideal for easier cleaning, but opt for ones that are sturdy and will last through repeated uses. Stainless steel or aluminum holders retain heat, so they may be oven-safe for keeping your tacos warm while you prep the rest of your meal.

Capacity

Most taco holders on the market hold two to three tacos. Specialty holders (like those shaped like animals) hold only one or two at a time. Some are flexible, allowing you to hold two, three, or even four, depending on which side is up, since they are reversible. There are also larger-capacity holders that hold several more tacos at a time. These are great for assembling tacos and larger families or parties.

Sets

Some taco holders come in stackable sets in an array of rainbow colors. Those are great so that everyone in the home can get their own taco holder. Some taco holders come with serving trays (some of them even mount onto them) to make them easier for serving. The trays will have room for bowls for salsa, guacamole, and the like.

FAQs

How do you use a taco holder?

You can use taco holders to hold your tortillas or hard shells as you prepare tacos. You can use them for serving them, as well, just as is or on top of a plate or platter to catch any sauce or other drippings. Those made of plastic can be used in the microwave to heat tacos or just to melt the cheese. Heat-safe metallic ones can also be used to heat up your tortillas or make hard shells in the oven.

Can taco holders hold both soft and hard shells?

It depends on the shape of the holder. Those with round bottoms are ideal for holding both hard and soft tacos. The ones that have open designs are best for hard-shelled tacos only, since the shells are sturdy enough to stay upright, whereas the soft tacos would flop down.

What else can you use a taco holder for?

Although taco holders are created and marketed to hold, well, tacos, they can be used to hold lots of other foods. Depending on the shape and size of your taco holder, you can use them to prepare and serve hot dogs, sushi rolls, pita pockets, small sandwiches, and more. If desserts are more your thing, you can put cannoli or certain long doughnuts on your taco holders, too. Taco holders made from food-safe stainless steel that can withstand heat can also be used as hard shell makers.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee is a food and travel writer, recipe developer, and restaurant reviewer. A James Beard nominee, her own bestselling cookbook, "Quick and Easy Mexican Cooking: More Than 80 Everyday Recipes," was published by Chronicle Books. She helped run her family’s Mexican grocery store in her teens, lived in Mexico in her 20s, and recently ran a Korean-Mexican restaurant in East Hollywood. She believes you can put almost anything into a taco, because everything tastes delicious wrapped in a tortilla.

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