Big Game Taco Bar (Printable)
A festive spread with seasoned meats, fresh toppings, and warm tortillas for crowd-pleasing meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
05 - 1/3 cup water
→ Tortillas
06 - 16 small corn or flour tortillas
→ Toppings
07 - 2 cups shredded lettuce
08 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
10 - 1 cup sour cream
11 - 1 cup guacamole
12 - 1 cup salsa
13 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
14 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
15 - 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
16 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
17 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
→ Extras
18 - Tortilla chips for serving
19 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat. Stir in half the taco seasoning and half the water. Simmer 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens.
02 - In a separate skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Add remaining taco seasoning and water. Simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through.
03 - Wrap tortillas in foil and heat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Alternatively, microwave covered with a damp paper towel in 30-second intervals until warm.
04 - Arrange the seasoned beef, chicken, and warm tortillas on a serving table. Place all toppings, black beans, and tortilla chips in separate bowls. Let guests build their own tacos with preferred fixings.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everyone gets exactly what they want without you playing short-order cook all night
- The spread looks incredible on a table and basically serves itself
02 -
- Cold tortillas are the enemy of a good taco bar experience
- Keep the proteins warm in slow cookers or covered dishes so they stay appetizing
03 -
- Make your own seasoning so you can skip the weird additives in packets
- Line your serving table with a disposable tablecloth for easy cleanup