Tasty Taco Bar Ideas For Your Wedding

Tacos are a beloved food worldwide, and a taco bar is a fun and unique way to add excitement and colour to your wedding. A taco bar is a great option for couples looking for an informal dining experience with a variety of options to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. It can be set up as a self-serve buffet or with an attendant creating made-to-order tacos. In this article, we will discuss the essentials of a taco bar, from the tortillas to the toppings, as well as offer tips on how to create a fun and functional setup for your wedding.

Choose a variety of proteins and vegetables

When it comes to choosing the proteins and vegetables for your wedding taco bar, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you'll want to ensure you have a variety of options to cater to different dietary restrictions and preferences. Here are some ideas to consider:

Proteins:

• Chicken: Grilled or shredded chicken is a great option that can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit different tastes.
• Carne Asada: Translated as "grilled beef", this is a classic choice for taco fillings and can be seasoned to perfection.
• Fish: Mahi Mahi, tilapia, or cod are all excellent choices for fish tacos, offering a lighter option for your guests.
• Beef: Ground beef is a popular and budget-friendly option, and with the right seasoning, it can be packed with flavour.
• Steak: For a more premium option, consider including steak as one of your protein choices.
• Seafood: For a unique twist, offer seafood options like shrimp or lobster tacos.
• Pork: Al pastor (spit-grilled pork) and lengua (beef tongue) are tasty pork options that will add variety to your taco bar.
• Jackfruit: As a vegan option, jackfruit can be seasoned and prepared to mimic the texture of meat, making it a great plant-based alternative.

Vegetables:

• Grilled Veggies: Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and zucchini are excellent choices for grilled vegetables that can be used as a filling or topping.
• Black Beans: Seasoned with cumin, oregano, and lime, black beans make a delicious and hearty taco filling, perfect for vegetarians and vegans.
• Refried Beans: Another bean option, refried beans can be a great side dish or filling, but be sure to offer vegan options made without lard.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or other veggies can add a depth of flavour and texture to your taco bar.
• Fresh Veggies: Offer an assortment of fresh vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, and avocados for guests to add to their tacos.

Remember to consider the number of guests you'll be serving and plan accordingly. It's a good idea to have a variety of options, but you don't want to overwhelm your guests with too many choices. Aim for a balance of proteins and vegetables that will cater to a range of dietary needs and preferences.

Pick your taco shell options

When it comes to picking your taco shell options, you can go for traditional choices like corn tortillas, flour tortillas, and hard shell tacos. Corn tortillas are a great gluten-free option and both corn and flour tortillas are usually available in 6 to 8-inch street sizes. If you want to offer something unique, multicolored hard shells, taco shells made of bacon, cheddar cheese shells, and lettuce wraps for a healthier option are some fun alternatives.

If you're making your own taco shells, you can cook them on a comal, a smooth, flat griddle used to heat tortillas, toast spices, and sear meat.

For a DIY taco bar, you can set up crock pots or slow cookers to keep the taco shells warm. A microwave tortilla and pancake warmer can also be used to keep your shells warm.

Have an abundance of toppings

A taco bar is a fun and colourful addition to any wedding, and a great way to ensure your guests have a delicious and satisfying meal. The key to a successful taco bar is variety, and that means having an abundance of toppings for your guests to choose from.

The first thing to consider is the type of toppings you will offer. The options are endless, but some guest favourites include:

• Pico de gallo (tomatoes, onions, cilantro, serrano or jalapeno peppers, and lime juice)
• Beans (black and pinto; whole and refried)
• Lettuce (or cabbage)
• Salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
• Pickled veggies (red onion, carrots, or radishes)
• Cheese (cotija, or shredded Mexican cheese)
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream
• Cilantro
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced onions
• Black olives

You can also offer a variety of sauces and condiments, such as hot sauce, taco sauce, or mild, medium, or hot salsa.

When planning your toppings, it's important to consider any dietary restrictions your guests may have. For example, offer vegan or vegetarian options such as black beans or refried beans, and make sure to use oil instead of lard in your refried beans. You should also provide gluten-free options, such as corn tortillas.

In addition to the variety of toppings, it's important to have enough of each option. A good rule of thumb is to plan for two to three tacos per person if the taco bar is one of several food options. If the taco bar is the main meal, you may want to plan for five or six tacos per guest.

To keep your toppings fresh and appealing, consider serving them in individual containers or bowls. This will also make it easier for your guests to serve themselves and reduce mess.

With a well-stocked and varied taco bar, your guests will be sure to enjoy creating their own delicious and unique tacos!

Serve complementary drinks, dessert and wedding favours

Now for the fun part: drinks, dessert, and wedding favours!

Drinks

Nothing goes better with a taco than a margarita or a crisp Mexican beer. Talk to your wedding bartender about what margarita flavours to serve—spicy pineapple or watermelon, for example. You could also serve Mexican beers, tequila, and housemade agua fresca. For something a little different, try gin and tonic, sangria, rum swizzle, El Diabolo, or an Old Fashioned.

Dessert

Churros, flan, and tres leches cake are all Mexican desserts that would be the perfect addition to a wedding taco bar. Or, for something a little different, fill churro-inspired flour tortillas or waffle-cone shells with ice cream and other sweet treats for an end-of-the-night snack. If you're feeling extra creative, you could even serve chocolate, s'mores, strawberry cheesecake, or apple pie tacos for dessert!

Wedding Favours

Give your guests a wedding favour they'll actually use, like a bottle of your favourite hot sauce, a miniature bottle of tequila, or a bag of chicharrones de harina (a crunchy, wheel-shaped Mexican snack).

Provide a variety of sides

When it comes to sides, you can go traditional or creative. Traditional options include rice, black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, corn salad, guacamole, and green salad.

If you want to get creative, you can serve roasted cauliflower al pastor, cumin-roasted vegetables, chipotle potatoes, paella, and fried avocado.

You could also offer a variety of drinks to complement the heat and smokiness of the tacos, such as margaritas, tequila, and housemade agua fresca.

Frequently asked questions