Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. Delicious ingredients and practical tips on how to serve this easy dinner to your family or even a group of people.
Why I Love Taco Bars
Making a Taco Bar for dinner pretty much solves all of life’s problems.
- It’s easy to make. After browning some flavorful ground beef, there isn’t much more to do!
- It’s a great meal to feed a group of people. Hello, assembly line! Guest can also customize their meal.
- A Taco Bar is cheap! The ingredients are simple, easy to find, and very affordable.
- It’s a great make-ahead meal. It’s easy to prep the taco meat ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you want to eat it. Perfect for those nights that everyone is eating a different times!
- It’s freezer-friendly! In this post, we will teach you how to transform a Taco Bar into an easy Freezer Meal.
A Short Video Showing How Easy Taco Bars Can Be!
What to Serve at a Taco Bar
There are SO many options that you can serve at a taco bar. When it’s just my family eating it, I keep it really simple and only set out what I know they will eat.
Here is a list of ingredients you might consider adding if you serving a crowd of people:
- Taco Meat (recipe below) – You could also provide carnitas or chicken if you have a really big group and need options.
- Taco Shells (soft or hard) – If you have a gluten-free eater, provide corn tortillas.
- Chopped iceburg Lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Diced red onion or white onion
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Avocados, diced or sliced
- Salsa
- Cilantro, finely diced
- Lime wedges
- Black beans, rinsed and warmed
- Sour Cream
Make sure to have some tortilla chips on the side!
How to Make Taco Meat
A taco bar is only going to be as good as the taco meat, am-I-right? Skip the pre-packaged taco seasoning kits and make your own taco meat at home using our Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Saute the diced onion, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until no longer pink, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it browns. Drain off excess grease.
- Sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of taco seasoning over the meat and stir until coated. Add in some chicken/beef/vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the mixture has reduced some, about 5 minutes.
How to Make It a Freezer Meal
I love this meal idea for new moms! It’s such a great one to double and freeze. So, either stash it in your freezer for a few weeks down the road or pass it on to someone who could use a great meal.
TO FREEZE: Cook the meat as directed, then let the mixture cool completely. Place it in a freezer bag, seal and freeze. In separate bags, freeze about 1 cup of shredded cheese and tortillas along with the meat, to complete your kit.
TO PREPARE: Let all ingredients thaw in the refrigerator. Serve as directed.
Side Dish Ideas
Need some ideas to serve with your Taco Bar? Here are some delicious side dish ideas!
Avocado Lime Salsa – One of my all-time favorite side dish recipes!
Guacamole – A Tex-Mex classic.
Texas Caviar Dip – Another great recipe for crowds.
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PinDescription
An easy dinner idea that is great for a crowd. Lay out the ingredients and let your eaters choose their own taco adventure with all of the Mexican Toppings.
Ingredients
Taco Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or less for sensitive palates)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Taco Meat Ingredients
- 1–2 Tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 small white onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3–4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup broth
Taco Bar Ingredients (Pick and choose from the ideas below)
- 2 Pounds of Taco Meat
- 8+ Taco Shells (soft or hard)
- 1 cup chopped Lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1–2 Avocados, diced
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Cilantro leaves, diced
- Lime wedges
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and warmed
Instructions
Make It Now:
- Make the Taco Seasoning. In a small bowl, stir together taco seasoning ingredients. Set aside.
- Make the Taco Meat. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute 1 cup diced onion, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 3-4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 2 pounds lean ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until no longer pink, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it browns. Drain off excess grease.
- Sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of taco seasoning over the meat and stir until coated. Add in 1 cup of chicken/beef/vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the mixture has reduced some, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer cooked ground meat to a serving bowl and set out with other Mexican toppings in an assembly line to make your homemade taco bar!
Freeze For Later: Cook the meat as directed, then let the mixture cool completely. Place it in a freezer bag, seal and freeze. In separate bags, freeze about 1 cup of shredded cheese and tortillas along with the meat, to complete your kit.
Prepare For Later: Let all ingredients thaw in the refrigerator. Serve as directed.
Notes
In addition to ground beef, Cilantro Lime Chicken would be a great addition to the Taco Bar.
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