Totally Tasty Taco Bar

Need some Taco Bar Ideas? We have everything you need and more 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.

1. It’s easy to make. After browning and seasoning some ground beef, there isn’t much more prep to do!
2. It’s a great meal to feed a group of people. Hello, assembly line! Guests can also customize their meal.
3. A Taco Bar is cheap! The ingredients are simple, easy to find, and very affordable.
4. It works as a make-ahead meal. Simply 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 at different times!
5. It’s freezer-friendly! In this post, we will teach you how to transform a Taco Bar into a freezer meal.

Taco Bar Ideas

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’s a list of ingredients you might consider adding if you’re serving a crowd of people:

• Taco meat (recipe below) – You could also provide Crispy Carnitas or Cilantro Lime Chicken, if you want to have options.
• Taco shells (soft or hard) – If you have a gluten-free eater, provide corn tortillas or gluten-free tortillas.
• Chopped iceberg or green leaf lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced red onion or white onion
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Avocados, diced or sliced or Guacamole
• 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.

Here’s the basic method for making taco meat with ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken), but check out the recipe below for specifics:

1. In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Saute diced onion, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more.
2. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 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.
3. Sprinkle 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.

Change it up by using our Shredded Beef Tacos!

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 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

To Prepare from Frozen: Let all ingredients thaw in the refrigerator. Serve as directed.