Create a fun build-your-own taco bar for your guests with warmed hard and soft tortillas, assorted fillings, fun toppings, and spicy side dishes.

This fancy taco bar features a choice of fillings and toppings served with warmed taco shells and tortillas for guests to create their own tacos. Various side dishes complete the meal. Individual items may be made from scratch or purchased from the store.

This is a great idea for parties, such as having friends over to watch football. Guests can prepare their plates while you watch the game. Sucks to miss that touchdown!

Serve in crock or instant pots, dishes, or bowls to keep items warm and organized, with separate serving utensils for each item.

EQUIPMENT: instant pot, crock pot, pans with foil, tortilla warmer dish

Taco Bar

Recipe by Anna Stockel Cuisine: Tex-MexDifficulty: Average

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

1

hour 

Cooking time

1

hour 

Ingredients

• Fillings

• Barbacoa Taco Filling

• lengus

• Ground Beef ‘Barbacoa’ Taco Filling

• Ground Beef Taco Filling

• Cast Iron Skillet Reverse-Sear Filet Mignon I

• Cast Iron Skillet Reverse-Sear Ribeye Steak II

• Pan Seared And Oven Roasted Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip

• Slow-Roasted Pork Carnitas

• Spatchcocked And Roasted Chicken

• Ceviche De Pescado (Mexican Rockfish Ceviche)

• Pan Seared Salmon

• spicy shrimps or prawns

• Sides

• Refried Pinto Beans

• Crispy Cilantro Lime Rice

• smokey grilled street corn

• Jalapeño Poppers

• Salsa Verde Fresca

• Authentic Mexican Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa

• Mango Salsa

• guacamole and tortilla chips*

• Toppings

• Pico De Gallo (Salsa Fresca)

• Quick Pickled Red Onions

• shredded iceberg lettuce

• diced colorful tomatoes

• chopped yellow onions

• shredded cheeses (Cotija, cheddar, queso fresco, ‘Mexican blend’)

• creama

• chopped cilantro

• sliced jalapeños

• lime wedges

• Tortillas (made from scratch or store-bought)

• soft and hard (shells) corn tortillas, kept warm

• soft flour tortillas, kept warm

Directions

• Set out serving containers, utensils, plates, and lots of napkins. Include bowls for those who prefer taco bowls.
• Start preparing selected most time-intensive fillings, toppings, and side dishes first. Try to time everything so that they are ready around the same time. Cook ‘rare’ so nothing overcooks while being kept warm.
• Quick Pickled Red Onions may not be the first thing you think of, however it makes an amazing topping.
• Be sure to keep warm dishes warm. Some may be stored at a very low temperature in oven until needed.
• Some delicious selections:

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Notes

• * I really like the Late July brand because they are organic and they don’t over salt them.