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Easy Budget Taco Bar for 30 Guests

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A simple, customizable, and affordable taco bar recipe designed to feed 30 guests with minimal stress and budget-friendly ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 pounds ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
  • 2 large onions, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 60 hard taco shells
  • 30 small flour or corn tortillas
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
  • 4 large tomatoes, diced
  • 2 cups chopped cilantro
  • 3 cups diced onions (red or white)
  • 4 cups sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 2 cups sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges
  • 2 cups salsa or pico de gallo
  • 1 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) corn kernels, drained (optional)
  • 1 cup guacamole or sliced avocados (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onions, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until beef is browned and onions are translucent, about 10-12 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Pour in beef broth or water and reduce heat to low. Let simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. While meat simmers, chop lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Shred cheese and slice jalapeños and limes. Rinse and drain beans and corn if using.
  5. Warm hard taco shells and soft tortillas according to package instructions just before serving.
  6. Arrange meat, shells, tortillas, and toppings in separate bowls or trays. Label items if desired.
  7. Encourage guests to build their own tacos. Provide plates and napkins nearby.

Notes

Prep toppings a day ahead and keep chilled to save time. Warm taco shells just before serving to maintain crispness. For gluten-free, use only corn tortillas and check taco shells for gluten-free labels. Ground beef can be swapped with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary needs. Leftover meat can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco bar, budget-friendly, ground beef tacos, party food, easy taco recipe, crowd-pleaser, Mexican food, taco toppings

Find it online: https://islatable.com/easy-budget-taco-bar-for-30-guests-complete-shopping-list-made-simple/