Taco bar fiestas are fun, easy to host, and so delicious!
Hosting a taco bar fiesta allows you to accommodate to even the pickiest of guests and sit back and relax! Most foods can be made ahead or simply served cold. It’s super simple, just serve meat and/or beans, taco shells, condiments, and drinks; and let guests pick their “flavor fiesta” of choice and make their own tacos!
Here’s a quick breakdown to get this fiesta started:
Decorate!
- Grab plates, forks, and other colorful décor from your local party store!
Display some Colorful Serveware
- Perfect for entertaining! Spice up your Cinco de Mayo taco bar selection with colorful pinch bowls or granite pinch bowls (these are the perfect size for serving seasoning options).
- Salsas, guacamole, etc. look great in larger, authentic-looking serving platters such as this molcajete.
- Condiments and toppings look great served in larger colorful plastic-type bowls; found at your local party store, dollar store, etc.
Taco Fillings Bar/Buffet
- Give options for a base: chips, tortillas.
- Give options for a protein: ground beef, fish, shredded chicken steak or pork.
- Give additional topping options: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, fresh cilantro, etc.
- Add additional options (store-bought or homemade as time permits): salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, sautéed peppers or onions.
- Add options for those with dietary restrictions as needed: non-dairy cheeses (for dairy-free), cilantro cauliflower rice (for paleo/keto), corn chips or tortillas (for gluten-free), and/or beans (for vegan).
Taco Seasonings & Spices
- Three simple seasonings can help you throw a flavorful taco bar ¡fiesta! Fiesta Taco Seasoning, Southwest Spice Blend, Adobo Spice Blend, make the perfect trio. Just serve with spoons, so guests can season their meat or beans to their flavor preferences 😊.
Fiesta-Inspired Beverages
- Break away from the mundane and serve up some of the fabulously-flavored margaritas!
- Frozen Mexican Hot Chocolate (kid-friendly) adds a unique spiced chocolate touch to your Cinco de Mayo drink selection! See below for recipe.
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Mexican Hot Chocolate Ganache (use as a base for the drinks below)
serves 4
Ingredients
From The Spice & Tea Exchange®
2 Tbsp. Spiced Cocoa Mix
½ – 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper Powder
2 tsp. Cinnamon Ground – Korintje
½ tsp. freshly grated Nutmeg
From the Grocer
4 squares 100% dark cacao
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
¾ cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Preparation
PLACE dark cacao squares and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on high for 2 minutes, in 30 second intervals, stirring each time. Whisk to incorporate chocolate fully in cream. You will have a frosting like consistency. Add condensed milk and evaporated milk and whisk until smooth. Add Spiced Cocoa Mix and remaining spices and whisk until fully dissolved. Add vanilla extract and stir well.
LINE a silicone or metal mold of your choice with baking parchment or plastic wrap, then spray lightly with cooking spray. Pour mixture into mold and freeze for at least 4 hours.
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Mexican Hot Chocolate
serves 4
Ingredients
1 recipe Mexican Hot Chocolate Ganache, before freezing (see above)
2 cups milk
Preparation
WHISK mousse and milk together in a pot over medium high heat until hot. Pour into 4 serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream.
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Mexican Frozen Hot Chocolate
serves 4
Ingredients
1 recipe Mexican Hot Chocolate Ganache, frozen (see above)
1½ cups milk
1½ cups ice
Preparation
BLEND all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into 4 serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream.
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