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
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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!
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.
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.
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 these 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.
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
Festive Taco Bar
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced, about 1 1/4 cup
- 1 medium bell pepper diced, about 1 1/4 cup
- 4 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2/3 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
*Nutrition facts do not include tortillas or toppings
What to use in this recipe:
Meme
Doesn’t this recipe look good?! You should probably pin it for later
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