Tacos, Toppings, and Fun: How to Host an Epic Taco Party
Looking to host a memorable and delicious gathering that’ll impress your guests? It’s time to throw a taco party! From various protein options to loads of unique toppings, a taco bar offers a fun, DIY-style party experience that’s unique to all of your guests.
However, pulling off a successful taco bar party does require some planning and prep. But fear not, because we've got you covered with this comprehensive guide on how to set up a taco bar for a party with help from Burrachos.
How to Do a Taco Bar for a Party
Deciding on what to have at a taco bar party really comes down to personal preference and how much variety you want to offer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a fairly comprehensive list of must-haves.
1. Planning and Prep
2. Protein Options
3. Toppings Galore
4. Sauces to Savor
5. Sides That Shine
6. Setting Up the Taco Bar
7. Serving and Eating Utensils
8. Making it Effortless with Burrachos
1. Planning and Prep
The first step to planning any party is to send out the invitations well in advance and ask guests about dietary preferences and restrictions to help you plan your menu accordingly. Make a checklist of ingredients and supplies you'll need, and do your shopping a day or two before the event.
The most important thing when planning and prepping is to purchase enough ingredients. For instance, plan for about 3-4 ounces of ground beef taco meat per person, which means a pound of ground beef can feed roughly four people. Use a similar scale when shopping for other proteins, and remember, it’s easier to have a little extra at the end of the party than to run out of food for your guests!
2. Protein Options
It’s important to offer a variety of protein options to cater to different tastes. The most common options include:
● Grilled chicken
● Seasoned ground beef
● Slow-cooked pulled pork
● Guacamole for vegetarians/vegans
3. Toppings Galore
No taco is complete without toppings. And when it comes to setting up your taco bar, the topping options are truly limitless! It’s important to have the basics, such as lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese. But if you’ve got the room on your taco table, consider some other options, such as:
● Sliced onions
● Sliced bell peppers
● Sliced jalapenos
● Sliced black olives
● Chopped cilantro
● Diced avocado or guacamole
● Pico de gallo
4. Sauces to Savor
No taco eating experience is complete without sauce! From spicy to savory to sweet heat, sauces can take your taco game to the next level. Try to have a variety of sauces, such as:
● Traditional red salsa
● Green tomatillo salsa
● Fruit salsa (mango, pineapple, etc.)
● Creamy chipotle sauce
● Tangy lime crema
● Bottles of hot sauce for those who love it spicy
5. Sides That Shine
Don’t let your guests eat off sad, empty plates. Instead, spice things up with a variety of side dishes, including:
● Freshly made tortilla chips
● Salsa fresca (pico de gallo)
● Mexican street corn (elote)
● Black beans and/or pinto beans
● Spanish rice
● Mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette
6. Setting Up the Taco Bar
Your taco bar should look as good as it tastes! Arrange your ingredients in an organized and visually appealing manner. Use colorful bowls, serving dishes, and platters for your ingredients, arrange toppings by color, set up signs with heat levels for your sauces, and add a colorful table cloth as a flashy backdrop to your taco feast. Make sure you have warmers for your proteins to keep them at a safe temperature for consumption, and label each item to avoid confusion. If you have room, set up a warming tray for your tortillas to keep them from drying out.
7. Serving and Eating Utensils
Tacos are typically a handheld food, which means your tortilla is technically your utensil — easy enough! But you’ll still want to provide a variety of utensils for assembling the tacos as well as for the sides or for guests who enjoy a taco salad. Make sure to at least have the following:
● Soft flour and corn tortillas
● Crispy corn or flour taco shells
● Tongs for serving the proteins
● Serving spoons for toppings and side dishes
● Small ladles for sauces
● Forks, spoons, and knives
8. Making it Effortless with Burrachos
A taco bar may sound like an easy party hack, but it’s not as simple to pull off as you may think! Between shopping for the vast number of ingredients, cooking pounds of meat (some for several hours if you’re doing something like slow-cooker shredded pork), chopping the vegetables, making the salsas, and more, it’s easy for your taco party to become a pretty daunting task.
Instead, opt for an easy and hassle-free taco bar experience by having Burrachos cater your taco party. We offer high-quality, fresh ingredients that are sure to be party pleasers. From proteins to toppings, sauces, and even sides, Burrachos has you covered, ensuring a stress-free preparation process.
Hosting a taco bar party can be a fantastic way to bring friends and family together over a delicious and customizable meal. With careful planning, a diverse range of options, and the help of Burrachos, you can create an unforgettable event that your guests will be raving about for a long time.