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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish » Meat

    Festive Taco Bar

    Published: Aug 12, 2018 · Updated: Feb 9, 2024 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Festive Taco Bar is a delicious and fun way to get your kids helping in the kitchen. Easily customizable to fit dietary preferences and needs, these tacos are a complete meal in one. Great for serving a crowd

    Two girls and an adult cooking tacos

    Over the summer, I spent some time with a few of my favorite kiddos and filmed a video for how to make your own festive taco bar. We had a blast and everyone enjoyed dinner that night! All 11 of us 🙂

    Even my niece and nephew who were a little leery of me adding onions and bell peppers to their tacos loved them. I got a "Meme, these are as good as my dad's tacos!" and "these are the best tacos I've ever had!" ←gotta love kids haha!

    Tacos from Living Well Kitchen

    Why you should make this Taco Bar

    Because tacos are awesome, duh!! And what better way to enjoy tacos than with a festive taco bar that you can have your kids help you set up?!

    I also love this taco recipe because you don't need any special taco seasoning packets. This taco recipe uses ingredients already in your pantry plus some extra veggies to boost the nutrients in your meal and add more flavor.

    How to Make a Taco Bar

    It's easy!! Make your basic taco recipe; we used my favorite classic tacos made with ground beef but you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, tofu, or cooked lentils.

    Then prepare all your toppings, and make an assembly line. Everyone can make their tacos exactly how they like them.

    Plus, it's great for kids because they feel in change of what they are eating. And while they might not actually eat everything offered, you know they are getting a nourishing meal plus exposure to more foods.

    two young girls preparing tacos

    Tips for Making Homemade Tacos

    Make Ahead Tips

    You can prepare the taco filling ahead of time and reheat when ready to set up your festive taco bar.

    Some toppings can be prepared ahead of time like chopping tomatoes & lettuce and grating cheese. However, I wouldn't chop the avocados or heat the tortillas until right before adding to the table.

    Tacos from Living Well Kitchen

    Variations & Substitutions

    Like I mentioned before, you can use any type of ground meat or meat substitute for the taco filling. I personally prefer ground beef but love lentil tacos.

    Veggie substitutions:

    If you don't like onions or you avoid them, feel free to add extra peppers. Or skip the peppers and add a few extra onions.

    Or try adding some diced mushrooms or a can of rinsed & drained black beans for extra nutrients and fiber. Adding either (or both!) to the meat will help stretch your meat even more so you're serving size is larger or you can serve more people.

    Plus, cooked taco meat keeps well in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer (tightly wrapped) for up to one month. So it's great to make ahead for meal prepping.

    Tacos from Living Well Kitchen

    What to serve with this dish

    This is a complete meal with all the toppings, so no need to worry about extra sides. However, a taco night is made even better with a margarita if you ask me, so you could try ones of these: Grapefruit Margaritas, Mushroom Margaritas, or Jalapeño Margaritas.

    Final thoughts:

    Tacos are a family favorite and a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Even if they aren't able to help you cook on the stove, there is some activity they can help with: tearing the lettuce, plating the tortillas, setting the table, etc.

    Plus, everyone will be excited that they get to make their own tacos and enjoy their own personal creation.


    MORE KID FRIENDLY RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Easy Peanutty Pasta
    • Gluten Free Fish Sticks
    • Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
    • Pizza Casserole
    • Perfect Baked Fries
    • Ranch Burgers
    Two girls and an adult cooking tacos

    Festive Taco Bar

    This Festive Taco Bar is a delicious and fun way to get your kids helping in the kitchen. Easily customizable to fit dietary preferences and needs, these tacos are a complete meal in one.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 1 medium onion diced, about 1 ¼ cup
    • 1 medium bell pepper diced, about 1 ¼ cup
    • 4 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
    • ⅔ cup water
    • tortillas for serving
    • optional toppings: cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onions, and bell peppers over medium-high heat. Drain and add back to the skillet.
    • Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, sugar, cayenne pepper, and ground coriander. Stir well to coat ground beef & veggies.
    • Sprinkle cornstarch on the mixture and add water. Bring to a simmer, and reduce heat. Simmer until the liquid has thickened, about 15 minutes. Serve in tortillas with your choice of toppings, and enjoy!

    Notes

    *Based on my recipe for tacos
    *Nutrition facts do not include tortillas or toppings
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Meme

    Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Festive Taco Bar
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    193
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    6
    g
    9
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    70
    mg
    23
    %
    Sodium
     
    416
    mg
    18
    %
    Potassium
     
    579
    mg
    17
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    25
    g
    50
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    2060
    IU
    41
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    40.3
    mg
    49
    %
    Calcium
     
    30
    mg
    3
    %
    Iron
     
    3.9
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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