The Ultimate Taco Bar Ideas for You to Try

The reason that I love taco bars is that you can make all the ingredients, fillings, sauces, and toppings well ahead of time and set it up before the guests arrive. This gives you ample time to enjoy the taco bar party with your friends and family. 

The popularity of tacos knows no bounds and for good reason! 

After all, they have a lot going for them – they are versatile, you can eat them with your hands, and you can choose what to fill them up with! This is why taco bars are always such a huge hit.

So, let’s check out the best taco bar ideas!

What Is a Taco Bar?

A taco bar is a food bar that has everything taco-related on it. It has different varieties of taco shells such as taco bowls, soft taco shells, and hard taco shells. 

The bar also has different filling options that you put next to the tacos such as pulled pork, shredded chicken, ground beef, etc. 

Next, you have sauces and fillings of all kinds that round up the bar.

How to Set Up a Taco Bar

When it comes to setting up a taco bar, you want to start with the base and then move forward with the fillings, sauces, and toppings.

You can keep things simple and frill-free or go crazy with different toppings and sauces.

It all depends on how many people you plan on serving and the occasion. Just keep the following things in mind:

• Set up the taco shells – hard and soft tortillas, Tostado shells, and tortilla bowls.
• Put out the fillings – ground beef, flaked fish fillet, chopped up bacon, pulled pork, shredded chicken, etc in individual bowls. We highly recommend disposable chafing dishes.
• Get the sauces and salsa out – chipotle sauce, guacamole, tomato salsa, sour cream, etc.  
• Have fun with the toppings – chopped tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, beans, lettuce, mango salsa, veggie salsa, lime wedges, corn, and crumbled feta cheese.

What Do You Put on a Taco Bar?

There are just so many foods that you can put on a taco bar. Let’s just explore some of them by dividing them into fillings, sauces, and toppings:

Fillings

For fillings, here are the best taco bar ideas:

Spicy Ground Beef With Chopped Up Smoked Sausages

We all love tacos with traditional ground beef. However, you can step it up by simply adding some chopped smoked sausages into the mix. 

Pulled Pork

Another great taco bar filling is pulled pork. It’s juicy and delicious, which makes it an ideal taco filling.

Shredded Chicken With Bacon Bites

Prepare some shredded chicken with your favorite seasoning and sauces. Toward the end, add some crispy bacon bits into the mix for a delicious filling.

Sauces, Dips, and Salsa

Here are the best taco bar ideas for sauces:

Chipotle Sauce

Chipotle truly has to be my favorite sauce thanks to its wide range of flavors. It’s spicy and smoky, with a touch of sweetness. It also has hints of a lemony tanginess and zest.

Queso

So queso is a must-have for any respectable taco bar. We like to use queso fresco and half and half for ours. However, we have been known to pick up a jar of it at the grocery store as well.

Guacamole

Another classic taco salsa— you just can’t go wrong with the trusty old guacamole. It is rich, creamy, and flavorful. Make sure to add some spice to your guacamole by adding some chopped jalapenos and some lime juice into the mix.

Tomato Salsa

Ah, the tanginess of this salsa deserves all the praises ever. Tomato salsa is just so refreshing and light, which makes it the perfect addition to a taco that has a heavy beef filling in it.

Sour Cream

My love for sour cream knows no bounds. I can add it on top of everything. It’s just so versatile and has such a unique tangy and creamy taste, which goes well with many toppings and fillings. This is why it tastes exceptionally well with a taco.

Toppings

Here are the best taco bar ideas for toppings:

Mango Salsa

This has to be my favorite taco topping. The sweetness of the mangoes, combined with the tanginess of the lime juice, makes this salsa oh-so-delicious.

Mixed Veggies

Shredded veggies, such as carrots, lettuce, beets, red, green, and yellow bell peppers, mixed in a bowl together act as the perfect topping for tacos.

Pickled Jalapenos

I love my tacos to be spicy and the best way to spice them up is to top them with some pickled jalapenos.

Crumbled Feta Cheese

How can I talk about taco toppings and not mention cheese anywhere? It’s just not possible!

Feta cheese is such a perfect taco topping, thanks to its rich, tangy, and salty taste. If you don’t have feta at hand, try crumbled goat cheese or even shredded cheddar. 

Tips and Tricks

When preparing a taco bar always think of the scale of your party and your guests. If it’s for kids, then it’s best to stick to traditional fillings and some fun toppings. However, if it’s for adults, then you can increase your range of toppings, fillings, spicy sauces, and even taco shells. 

The Bottom Line

I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on taco bar ideas. When making your own taco bar, remember the number of guests and the occasion and then plan accordingly. Use creative toppings to add some fun to your bar.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and prepare for your taco party!