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A taco bar is a fun and easy food idea for your next gathering, whether or not it’s taco Tuesday! No idea is a bad idea when it comes to taco bar toppings and party ideas. All you have to do is set out a stack of tortillas (warmed or not–totally up to you!) and bowls of all your toppings, and voila! You have yourself a fiesta. 

For added fun, whip up some Simple Margs or serve with your favorite Mexican lager!

For more fiesta-worthy ideas, check out my Mexican-Inspired Grazing Board, Fish Taco Board, and my Top Your Own Quesadilla Board. Plus, you can find all my family-style boards here.

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Taco Bar Toppings

Carbs

• 4-inch Flour or corn tortillas (I prefer corn!) 
• Taco shells

Fillings

• Ground beef 
• Black beans

Toppings

• Shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Cotija Cheese
• Shredded Lettuce
• Pickled red onion (See this recipe for instructions)
• Jalapeño slices
• Chopped tomatoes
• Sliced black olives
• Diced white onion

Sauces & Dips

• Salsa (I like salsa verde)
• Guacamole
• Sour cream

Garnish

• Lime wedges
• Cilantro
• Cotija Cheese (for the beans)

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How to Build a Taco Bar

• First, add all toppings, fillings, and sauces and dips to separate small or medium serving bowls and sprinkle beans with cotija cheese.
• Next, add the beef to a cast iron skillet or serving bowl and place on the board.
• Add bowls with cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, Mexican cheese, and sour cream to the board around the beef, forming a half circle. 
• Add bowls with jalapeños, remaining cotija, onions, guacamole, olives, and salsa to the board in a line around the other bowls.
• Finally, add taco shells and lime wedges around the edge of the board. Serve tortillas on the side.

Pro tip: If you’re serving this bar as an app, offer street taco-size tortillas for smaller portions!

Make it a Taco Bowl

Some of your guests might prefer a bowl option! I love to make Mexican rice to serve on the side so guests can make a rice-based taco bowl. You could also serve lettuce, like iceberg, so guests can make a taco salad! 

Just be sure to have plenty of bowls and forks if you go this route.

The Best Taco Meat Fillings

You don’t need to have a packet of taco seasoning on hand to make excellent taco meat! The main ingredients are salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and, if you like a kick, cayenne. I also love adding Trader Joe’s Everything But the Elote seasoning! (Check out this recipe for taco seasoning!)

The beauty of taco bars is you can put out as many of your favorite taco meats as you like! Try:

• Ground beef or turkey
• Shredded chicken
• Barbacoa beef
• Carne asada, 
• Carnitas
• Shrimp 
• Fried or grilled fish (like in my Fish Taco Board)

How Much Taco Meat Per Person

The usual rule of thumb is about ¼ cup taco meat per taco so you have room for all those other fillings and toppings! Generally speaking, it’s good to budget about 3 tacos per person, which means almost 1 cup of meat for each guest. That being said, definitely plan to have extra–some folks have a heavy hand (I certainly can’t blame them!).

Fun fact: even though caterers know people eat on average about 3 tacos, they actually budget for 2 tacos per person for a taco bar because they know people tend to add more filling than ¼ cup.

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Other Taco Toppings

• Queso Fresco
• Sliced avocados
• Charred corn
• Sliced radishes
• Sautéed poblano slices
• Diced mango
• Diced pineapple
• Fried onions
• Pickled jalapeños
• Cilantro Lime dressing
• Fried tortilla strips

Fusion Taco Toppings

I especially love tacos that are a combo of multiple cuisines! Like Chinese-inspired General Tso’s chicken tacos, Korean BBQ-inspired tacos, Jamaican Jerk-inspired tacos, Indian-inspired Chicken Tikka tacos–the list goes on! 

Here are some recipes I love:

• Bulgogi Tacos
• Thai Chicken Tacos
• General Tso’s Taco Bake
• Spicy Chicken Tikka Tacos
• Jerk Chicken Tacos
• Mediterranean Salmon Tacos

Taco Night Drinks

What’s a taco party without some festive beverages! I love a Corona with lime or a Margarita, but here are some other options:

Alcoholic

• Paloma
• Ranch Water
• Beergarita
• Michelada
• Flavored margaritas

Non-alcoholic

• Agua Fresca
• Tepache 
• Jarritos 
• Margarita Mocktail

Show Me Your Taco Bars

I hope this post inspires you to host a family-style meal. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful spreads you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.