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Are you planning a taco shindig but feeling overwhelmed deciding what dishes to serve? Look no further! Today we’re sharing our best taco party food ideas – the most delicious and crowd-pleasing recipes that are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
From classic tacos to tasty side dishes and condiments, these easy recipes are sure to be a hit with your guests. Plus we’ve included helpful tips on storage, reheating and variations and our best taco party ideas.
Taco feasts are perfect for casual gatherings and celebrations, such as birthdays, graduation parties, game nights, team dinners or a fun summer BBQ. They can also be great for a low-key weeknight dinner or Taco Tuesday with friends or family. With customizable options and easy-to-make recipes, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal for any occasion.
Additionally, taco bars are a great option for larger events like office parties or holiday gatherings like Cinco de Mayo. With the ability to make large quantities of taco fillings and toppings, they’re an efficient and tasty choice for feeding a crowd.
So don’t stress about planning your menu! You’ll find the best recipes and tips for hosting a delicious and stress-free gathering with our easy taco bar ideas.
Best Taco Recipes for a Party
Tacos are a beloved dish, and for good reason. They’re versatile, easy to make, and always delicious. But with so many variations out there, it can be hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of taco filling options that are sure to please any crowd. Whether you’re looking for traditional flavors or something more unique, we’ve got you covered.
Tacos are not only tasty but a great way to feed a crowd at a party. These recipes are easy to make in bulk and allow guests to customize their own tacos according to their preferences. One of our top picks is a slow cooker chicken recipe.
Beef Tacos: Classic ground beef tacos are affordable and a crowd-pleasing classic. For more traditional options, try seasoned barbacoa and birria.
Chicken Tacos: You can use grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken or make seasoned chicken in your slow cooker.
Shrimp Tacos: Add a touch of seafood to your fiesta with these tasty tacos.
Fish Tacos: This Baja-style favorite is usually made with tender white fish like cod or tilapia and served with a creamy sauce and slaw. I’ve been making this air fryer tilapia taco recipe on repeat.
Veggie Tacos: There are lots of filling options for vegetarians, like assorted grilled vegetables, seasoned tofu or a combination of black beans and cubed sweet potatoes for a hearty bite.
What Goes with Tacos?
When it comes to tacos, the possibilities are endless for what you can pair with them. From your favorite taco toppings like shredded cheese and sour cream to more adventurous options like mango salsa or pickled onions, there’s no shortage of delicious accompaniments.
And don’t forget about the sides – corn on the cob, beans, and rice make perfect additions to any taco meal.
Guacamole: This creamy and tangy dip is the perfect complement to any taco.
Salsa: A classic topping that adds a burst of flavor and freshness to your tacos.
Mexican Rice: This traditional seasoned dish can be served as a side or a filling.
Beans: Serve seasoned black beans or a refried beans for a hearty side dish that pairs well with any type of taco.
Mexican Street Corn: Elevate your meal with this flavorful and easy-to-make side dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare these recipes in advance?
Yes! You can make most fillings and sides ahead of time, including prepping the toppings. Just store them in separate containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Warm up the fillings and tortillas just before your guests arrive.
Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?
Of course! Feel free to swap out any ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary restrictions. For example, you can use ground turkey instead of beef, or add in some tofu for a vegetarian option. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make these recipes your own!
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftover taco ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat fillings and assemble fresh tacos when ready to eat.
Can you reheat leftover tacos?
While we don’t recommend storing leftover tacos with fillings (they don’t hold up well), you can reheat tacos in the oven or on a skillet for a few minutes until warmed through.
Tips for Hosting the Best Taco Night
Now that you have a variety of delicious recipes to choose from, it’s time to plan your taco bar party! Here are some tips to ensure your event is a success:
Plan ahead: Choose your recipes and make a grocery list in advance so you have everything you need on hand.
Keep it simple: Stick to a few main taco fillings and let guests customize their toppings.
Don’t forget the sides: Corn on the cob, beans, and rice are great accompaniments that pair well with tacos.
Create a toppings bar: Provide a variety of toppings for guests to choose from, such as fresh salsa with a variety of heat levels, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sliced red onions or bell peppers, jalapeno slices and lime wedges.
Prepare in advance: Prep as much as possible before your guests arrive, allowing you more time to socialize and enjoy the party.
Set up a taco bar: Setting up buffet-style allows guests to assemble their own tacos with a variety of toppings and salsas.
Don’t forget the napkins: Tacos can get messy, so make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.
Have fun with it: Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new combinations of flavors for your taco extravaganza. Enjoy the process and have fun with your guests!
Final Thoughts
Tacos are not only delicious but also practical for any gathering. With endless flavor possibilities, there’s no limit to what you can create with this versatile dish.
With these delicious taco party food ideas and helpful tips in hand, hosting the ultimate taco bar night has never been easier. So gather your friends and family, put on some festive music, and get ready for an unforgettable taco feast!
If you make one of our recipes, please leave a star rating or comment below. And don’t forget to tag us with #areinventedmom – we love to see your creations! For more great content follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Flipboard & Yummly.
Planning a taco bar party? We're sharing our best recipes for tacos and side dishes, with creative tips for hosting the ultimate taco extravaganza. Create a festive taco party that your guests will love, perfect for parties, gatherings, holidays and Taco Tuesday.
Easy Taco Recipes
Baja Chicken Tacos
You only need a half an hour to make these ultra tasty tacos. With Tajin seasoning, tender chicken tender and all of your favorite toppings, this easy recipe delivers Baja flavor in every tasty bite for the best taco party offering.
Skip the beef and chicken and offer guests a tasty taco made with fish and slaw. The combination of flavors is nothing short of delicious together, and this recipe adds a pop of color to accompany the flavor. You will want to top all of your Mexican dishes with this Sriracha sour cream after you try it.
Skip the chicken and ground beef option and make these saucy bbq pork tacos instead. Start by grilling boneless pork chops and slathering them with sauce. Then assemble them into tacos. They taste amazing with slaw over the top and guacamole. You can add your favorite toppings.
You can make this carne asada taco recipe with skirt or flank steak. It has the perfect blend of carne asada spices to tantalize your taste buds. Add chunky guacamole to the top for a simple and satisfying take on tacos that no one can resist.
If you need enough meat for a crowd to make tacos, then turn to your crockpot. This recipe is so easy to recreate and requires only three ingredients. You can easily double or triple this recipe to accommodate your party, and it cooks itself while you focus on the other details.
Sometimes a simple taco is all you need for a party. This recipe for street tacos is made with only a few ingredients like skirt steak, olive oil and cumin. After cooking over charcoal you can top them with a simple jalapeno salsa to bring a little heat for a yummy contrast to the smoky meat.
If you want to offer a taco that is knock your socks off tasty, this recipe is the one to try. With tender, melt in your mouth birria meat and a kick of chiles and a sprinkle of cheese, this recipe has a smokiness that sends your taste buds in search of more!
This casserole has all of the flavor of walking tacos, but in a dish big enough to feed a crowd. You only need thirty minutes to make this, and everyone will walk right over to have a serving at your party. Walking taco casserole pairs well with chips, salsa and cilantro lime rice on the side.
If you want to offer guests a grab and go option, so they can mix and mingle with one another, without having to worry about their tacos falling apart, make walking tacos with Fritos. This recipe is so tasty, and so easy. Everyone can add their favorite toppings to the bag and dig in.
Use your air fryer to make these soft shell Navajo tacos. They are versatile and can be topped with so many meats and toppings, and they are a little healthier, as they aren’t deep fried, but made in the air fryer. This recipe is perfect for a party as it adds a touch of southwest flavor to your menu.
This recipe makes a great Taco Bell dupe. You can make these in an air fryer, on the stovetop or in the oven. No matter how you prepare them, you are sure to agree they are even better than the drive thru option. Everyone will love the copycat flavor and you will appreciate how easy these are to make for a crowd.
A bowl of Mexican corn salad makes the best side dish for a taco party. It is easy, pairs great with tacos, burritos or even chips and salsa. Serving it in salad form makes it less of a mess to eat as well.
Jazz up simple white rice with a few basic ingredients to make the perfect side for any taco party. Cilantro lime rice is very easy to prepare, is budget friendly and adds the right touch to any taco inspired meal.
A great taco meal needs a tasty side. Why not toss some elote in the air fryer to add color and flavor to your meals? This recipe is very easy and has the best flavor. It will be the center of attention at any Mexican themed party or dinner.
Spice up your net batch of salsa by adding chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to corn kernels with lime juice, you will have the best easy addition to any meal. Serve with chips, over tacos, or even add it to eggs for a smoky addition that elevates any meal.
If you want to keep things lighter, yet authentic at your taco party why not make some homemade low carb corn tortillas? They are so delicious, yet are surprisingly easy to make with simple ingredients like coconut flour, oil and water.
Add a tropical twist to your taco party by making this easy, chunky pico de galo. With pineapple, tomato, onion and peppers, this salsa is chunky, colorful and so delicious. Add a scoop to your tacos, or serve with salty chips for a flavorful side that everyone will love for the blend of sweet and savory heat it brings to the table.
It wouldn’t be a taco party without a platter of spicy peppers to jazz things up. This recipe makes the best homemade pickled jalapenos. You are going to start daydreaming of the ways you could enjoy these pepper rings after a sample. Offer them with nachos, tacos, or even float a few on top of a bowl of soup if you like.
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this tasty homemade Southwestern dressing. It is tastier than any bottled option and is made with wholesome ingredients. You will want to add it to tacos, burrito bowls, salads and more.
Skip the bottled options at the grocery store, and knock your guests socks off with this vibrantly green and perfectly spicy hot sauce. It starts with tomatillos and ends up being so tasty you will want to add a dash of homemade hot sauce to everything; from pizza to eggs and of course all of the Mexican dishes!
Cashew cilantro sauce is thick, creamy and so tasty you can literally use it as your go to all purpose sauce for Mexican food. Add a dollop to tacos, nachos or even scoop some up with chips. A dish of this will add depth, color and flavor to all of your dishes.
You will love how easy and flavorful this homemade seasoning for chicken tacos is to make and use. After you try it at your taco party, you will never reach for another envelope of prepackaged seasoning at the grocery shops again.
