6 Ideas For Taco Party Perfection
Want to throw a dinner party that will be a true crowd-pleaser? You can’t go wrong with a taco night–after all, everyone loves tacos!
Not only are tacos delish–but they are pretty versatile. By switching up the toppings, you can allow your guests to craft truly memorable meals. And since they get to call the shots, your job is easy–you can please even the pickiest of eaters!
As personal chefs and caterers, we have thrown a lot of taco parties. And we’ve summed up a few of our favorite ideas for a taco party that will be worthy of your dinner plate… and the ‘Gram.
But be warned. We’ve gone full steam ahead on the taco puns for this blog.
Spice up boring meats…
We love ground beef and shredded chicken as much as the next person… but the classic taco meats can feel so dull. Why not mix it up? Provide the classics, sure, but throw in some flavors that will surprise your guests. It is a lot easier than you might think…
We include blackened fish and braised beef in our signature gourmet taco bars. But if that sounds a bit overwhelming, you can still jazz up your basic meats!
For example, you can make your shredded chicken so much better by simply adding a homemade sauce, or even slow cooking it in a jar of your favorite salsa. Our clients love our Salsa Verde chicken meat - made using our homemade green salsa filled with roasted tomatillos, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
Let your guests spice it up… their way.
When we cater a Taco Party, we include made-from-scratch salsa. And we know that when it comes to spice levels, there’s simply no such thing as one-size-fits-all.
After all, some people think that the kind of ground pepper you shake on your baked potato is pretty spicey. Other people wonder what the big deal is about ghost peppers (they can really take it up a notch on that Scoville scale!).
So for your taco party, provide a number of salsas at varying spice levels. And be sure to label them! Otherwise, your guests might get a mouthful of waaaay more heat than they bargained for.
Get creative (and healthier!) with your taco fillings…
Toppings like jicama and pickled radishes don’t just add variation and color to your tacos–they add vitamins and nutrients too! Here are some of our favorite “alternative” taco toppings…
Getting creative with your toppings isn’t just a way to put a clever twist on your tacos–but they look oh-so-beautiful on a plate. Taco ‘bout toppings that are a work of art!
Get creative with your plating.
We have to re-iterate the viral saying here…
It’s ok to fall apart. Tacos fall apart, and we love them too?
Okay, okay… cheesy inspirational memes aside–the saying does state a culinary truth. Tacos are, by their very nature, messy. They need a little help to stay put together.
So get creative with your plating. Give your guests divided plates that are not only fun but have practical use as well.
If you don’t have room in your cupboard for taco plates, you can grab disposable ones like these–which makes clean-up even easier!
Time to get cheesy…
Cheddar cheese is the tried-and-true topping for tacos. But why not give your guests options? You’d be surprised at how much a simple change in cheese changes the entire flavor of a taco.
Why not try…
Cotija - This salty cheese is oh-so-crumbly and savory–and, if you ask taco purists, the cheese that is most closely aligned with tacos’ Mexican roots. You might find it similar to parmesan cheese in its flavor profile. But honestly, it is the perfect pairing for all Latino-inspired dishes, which is why you can find it sprinkled on everything from mole dishes to fajitas.
Swiss - You might associate swiss cheese with your deli sandwich. But its delicate flavor can be a great pairing with tacos, too!
Feta - This flavor combination is not for the faint of heart. But if you are into unique flavor combinations, feta on top of your tacos (especially paired with some pickled veggies) is a gourmet foodie heaven.
Don’t forget your side dishes…
Sure, sure. Tacos are the star of the show. But even the most fabulous taco needs a sidekick. Our favorite side dishes include…
Refried Beans
Beans are a must at any taco party. Choose from refried black or pinto beans–and if you want to give homemade beans a try, check out this recipe! They aren’t as hard to make as you might think, and the flavor is SO worth it.
Elote - If you haven’t tried elote, you are missing out! This traditional Mexican street food is the fall in love at first bite kinda thing. Recipes differ, but in general, elote is corn topped with a sauce full of lime, cotija cheese, spices, and creamy goodness. It is equal parts savory, sweet, spicey, and absolutely delicious.
Don’t forget your Gluten-Free options
So often, it is easy to forget your guests that might have a specific nutritional need or dietary restriction. Gluten-free, you think? They don’t need a taco shell–let them eat a salad without all those scrumptious tortillas!
But we must ask… what is a taco with the tortilla, folks?
Let’s be honest. You can’t really call that a taco!
That’s why whenever we host taco parties for our catering clients, we always ensure that gluten-free tortillas are on the menu. Because everyone wants a taco shell at their taco party!!!
How Did It Go?
A taco party offers so many ways to get creative. We’ve only shared a few of them here.
But the possibilities are endless. We invite you to explore them with us–and if we left something out, let us know! We’d love to see your own ideas at play on our Instagram page–where we celebrate all things culinary.
Of course, all things taco-related are ALWAYS welcomed!
Our catered Taco Parties are chock full of good things–from our homemade salsas to our Salsa Verde shredded chicken. Schedule yours before the summer is over!