When feeding a crowd, I have found that the more hands-on your guests are, the easier it is for the cook. What I mean by that is: the less you have to plate up and serve, the better. This is where the beauty of a taco bar comes in.
This article contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
I have done many different food “bars” in the past, including a potato bar, salad bar, hamburger bar, and a pizza bar (nightmare) — but the taco bar is the crowd favorite. Not only does everyone love a taco, but you can make it all ahead of time and then sit down with your guests and eat instead of plating up food all night. Plus, it’s great for Cinco de Mayo!
This customizable meal is great for showers, graduation parties, family-style meals, small groups, neighborhood get-togethers, or a fun Taco Tuesday.
I was feeding a large crowd recently and cooked up 18 pounds of meat. You read that right — I bought three of Costco’s six-pounders of ground beef.
I knew that would be a lot, but here’s why I didn’t worry: Taco meat freezes incredibly well. So, if I had lots left over, I would just freeze it. (You can use two or three types of protein if you’d like, but I just served ground beef.)
Alright, let’s get down to business … here is your taco bar checklist!
SB Note: Originally published in 2015, we like to keep this article updated with new images from each team taco bar we host, along with updated captions and slight copy changes.
Taco Bar Essentials
- Taco meat (ground beef seasoned with homemade taco seasoning)
- Charro beans or black beans
- Mexican rice
- Hard and soft shell tortillas
SB Tip: For a vegan, non-meat alternative to taco meat, check out our Tofu “Taco Meat” in our Vegan Taco Bowl Recipe!
Taco Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomato (you could make pico and have the onions, tomatoes, and cilantro be one topping)
- Diced white onion or pickled red onion
- Chopped cilantro
- Guacamole
- Salsa (include a couple of different salsa varieties)
- Sour cream
- Cheese, cheese, and more cheese (shredded cheese, cotija cheese, or queso fresco)
- Jalapeños (I used “tamed” pickled jalapeños for this crowd. For an adult crowd — or a crowd from Texas — slice up the fresh jalapeño slices.)
- Mexican vegetables
**To make this even easier, get a Kroger Boost Membership and have all your items delivered in less than two hours!**
Taco Bar Serving Pieces
- Crock-Pots
- Chaffing dish for rice and beans
- Divided dishes or individual bowls for toppings
- You can also place all of the small bowls on a taco toppings board for a little extra flair
- Tortilla warmer dish (any deep pot or dish with a lid) for soft tortillas
Taco Bar Setup
Lay out all the food in order. Follow this list and set up around a kitchen island or dining table. As I set up, I like to place pieces of paper in each ramekin (or bowl, or whatever you’re using) to indicate which topping should go where. This is the order I like to use:
- Flatware, napkins, and plates
- Tortillas and hard taco shells
- Meat
- Beans and rice
- Side of veggies
- Taco toppings — lay these out in the order that you would put them on a taco:
-
- Cheese, cheese, and more cheese
- Shredded lettuce and diced tomato
- Onion, cilantro, and jalapeños (I call these “the optionals”)
- Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole (and any other sauces you like! I call these the “final condiments”)
Taco Bar Extras
It’s all about the details! Consider incorporating extra touches like flower arrangements, a variety of hot sauces, and a lineup of themed beverages — Topo Chico bottles with fresh lime wedges are always a crowd favorite!
For alcoholic festive beverages, serve Corona with lime or margaritas.
Here’s my recipe for taco meat and how I cooked all 18 pounds at once and kept it warm. This should be a talent competition in the Miss America Pageant.
Taco Meat for a Crowd
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Instructions
- In a saute pan, brown ground meat. After this is browned, add onion and cook until it is translucent. Add taco seasoning packet and follow directions. Let simmer or place into a Crock-Pot to keep warm until your dinner is served.
NOTE: This is for one pound. I created this recipe multiplied by 18! Adjust accordingly for whatever size crowd you're serving.
Nutrition
Enjoy these taco bar ideas, and have a great taco party!
************
For more creative meal ideas, visit our Recipes archive!
