Touchdown Taco Bar with Fixings (Printable Version)
A crowd-pleasing taco bar with seasoned meats and fresh toppings. Perfect for game day gatherings or any family feast.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
05 - 1/4 cup water
→ Tortillas
06 - 12 small flour tortillas
07 - 12 small corn tortillas
08 - 12 crunchy taco shells
→ Toppings and Fixings
09 - 2 cups shredded lettuce
10 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
12 - 1 cup diced red onions
13 - 1 cup sliced black olives
14 - 1 cup salsa
15 - 1 cup sour cream
16 - 1 cup guacamole
17 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
18 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
→ Optional Additions
20 - 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
21 - 15 ounce can corn, drained
22 - 1 cup crumbled queso fresco
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Add half of the taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons of water to the beef. Stir well and simmer for 2 minutes. Transfer the seasoned beef to a serving dish.
02 - In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until lightly browned and thoroughly cooked through, which should take approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons of water; stir to combine and simmer for 2 minutes. Transfer the seasoned chicken to a separate serving dish.
03 - Wrap the flour and corn tortillas in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Alternatively, heat tortillas individually in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Warm the crunchy taco shells in the oven according to their package instructions.
04 - Place the prepared proteins, warm tortillas, and taco shells in separate serving dishes. Arrange all the toppings and fixings in small bowls for easy access. Set out serving utensils, plates, and napkins for your guests.
05 - Invite guests to build their own custom tacos with their preferred choice of fillings and toppings.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get to be the architect of your own culinary adventure, mixing and matching to your heart's content.
- It takes all the pressure off you as the host, turning mealtime into a delightful, interactive experience for everyone.
02 -
- Prepping all your toppings ahead of time is an absolute game-changer; it turns chaotic last-minute chopping into a relaxed setup.
- Properly warming your tortillas, whether flour or corn, prevents them from tearing or becoming stiff, ensuring a pliable, delightful bite every time.
03 -
- To keep your seasoned meats perfectly warm and ready for a long gathering, transfer them to a slow cooker on the "warm" setting after cooking.
- When cooking the chicken, don't overcrowd your skillet; work in batches if necessary to ensure it browns nicely instead of steaming.