Last Updated on April 30, 2020

They’re easy. They’re tasty. They’re tacos! 

If you’re looking for a simple dish that pleases a crowd, tacos are a no-brainer. A build-it-yourself taco bar is a great idea for parties, last-minute dinner guests, or simply spicing up the typical mealtime routine. 

Get the party started

There are tons of reasons to love tacos, but one of the best is probably because they’re so adaptable. Even the recipe for taco meat can be easily adjusted and scaled based on how many people you’re serving, the level of heat you’re looking for, how much time you have—the list goes on. 

Best of all, there’s no need to buy one of those packets of taco seasoning—you likely already have everything you need for the perfect spice mix right in your pantry. 

This basic recipe for seasoned taco meat is a great place to start. It uses a pound of ground beef, but it’s really simple to multiply if you need more (or divide if you’re cooking for one or two). Bonus: It only takes 10 minutes to prepare.

Check out our “Ten-Minute Tacos” below:

Go beyond the basics

The best part about a build-your-own bar is the fact that everyone has the chance to customize. 

There’s nothing wrong with lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream—but if you’re feeling more adventurous, tacos are the perfect platform for creativity. Try these ideas and twists for simple upgrades that’ll make your taco bar the talk of the town.

• Tortillas: If you’re building your own taco bar, try making your own crispy taco shells too. Instead of buying hard corn taco shells, simply warm yellow or white corn tortillas on the griddle.
• Rice and beans: Try something new—make taco bowls by using rice and beans as the foundation for toppings in addition to flour/corn tortillas or crispy taco shells.
• Pickled onions: They’re not as strong as the usual chopped white onions, plus they’ll add a unique layer of flavor. Take it a step further with other pickled veggies or even kimchi.
• Shaved cabbage: It holds up better than shredded lettuce, giving tacos extra crunch.
• Grilled vegetables: Amp up the nutritional value and bring a charred, savory flavor to your tacos with grilled peppers, squash, mushrooms, and more.
• Plain Greek yogurt: With mild flavor and extra protein, it’s a great swap for sour cream.

Build your bar

After your taco meat and toppings are prepped and ready to go, it’s time to set up your bar or topping stations. This can be as basic or as festive as you’d like. Remember, you really can’t go wrong with tacos. Use these tips for a stress-free setup:

• Don’t forget the essentials. The first stop of your taco bar should include plates, napkins, and utensils—just in case there’s a tortilla overflow. It’s also important to include serving spoons or forks alongside each topping. 
• Do a temp check. Are cold ingredients cold? Are warm ingredients warm? You might want to add an ice bucket to hold things like Greek yogurt and salsa, or serve your taco meat in a slow cooker set to “warm.”
• Label, label, label. Some toppings might be easy to identify, but others can be tricky—there’s nothing worse than accidentally adding a heap of extra-hot salsa. You can use tape, paper signs, or even mini chalkboards to identify your ingredients.
• Add some spice. This applies to more than the tacos themselves! Make your taco table extra festive by adding a colorful covering, sprinkles of cilantro, fun confetti, mini maracas, tiny potted cacti, and more.

Bonus: Sides and sips

Try these fun taco bar extras to take it to the next level:

• Nacho chips and queso
• DIY guacamole station 
• Flavored margaritas or lemon-lime mocktails

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