A Taco Bar: The Easiest Way to Feed a Crowd | StyleBlueprint

Mar 23, 2025

Recipes

The best meals that feed a crowd are ones where dinner guests are as involved as the cook! Here's all you need to know to set up the ultimate taco bar at home.

Published on July 29, 2022

Last updated on March 20, 2025

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When feeding a crowd, I have found that the more hands-on your guests are, the easier it is for the cook. What I mean by that is: the less you have to plate up and serve, the better. This is where the beauty of a taco bar comes in.

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I have done many different food “bars” in the past, including a potato bar, salad bar, hamburger bar, and a pizza bar (nightmare) — but the taco bar is the crowd favorite. Not only does everyone love a taco, but you can make it all ahead of time and then sit down with your guests and eat instead of plating up food all night. Plus, it’s great for Cinco de Mayo!

This customizable meal is great for showers, graduation parties, family-style meals, small groups, neighborhood get-togethers, or a fun Taco Tuesday.

I was feeding a large crowd recently and cooked up 18 pounds of meat. You read that right — I bought three of Costco’s six-pounders of ground beef.

I knew that would be a lot, but here’s why I didn’t worry: Taco meat freezes incredibly well. So, if I had lots left over, I would just freeze it. (You can use two or three types of protein if you’d like, but I just served ground beef.)

Alright, let’s get down to business … here is your taco bar checklist!

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SB Note: Originally published in 2015, we like to keep this article updated with new images from each team taco bar we host, along with updated captions and slight copy changes.

SB Tip: For a vegan, non-meat alternative to taco meat, check out our Tofu “Taco Meat” in our Vegan Taco Bowl Recipe!

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Lay out all the food in order. Follow this list and set up around a kitchen island or dining table. As I set up, I like to place pieces of paper in each ramekin (or bowl, or whatever you’re using) to indicate which topping should go where. This is the order I like to use:

It’s all about the details! Consider incorporating extra touches like flower arrangements, a variety of hot sauces, and a lineup of themed beverages — Topo Chico bottles with fresh lime wedges are always a crowd favorite!

For alcoholic festive beverages, serve Corona with lime or margaritas.

Here’s my recipe for taco meat and how I cooked all 18 pounds at once and kept it warm. This should be a talent competition in the Miss America Pageant.

Enjoy these taco bar ideas, and have a great taco party!

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For more creative meal ideas, visit our Recipes archive!