10 Best Taco Dinner Party Ideas for Kids and Adults

taco dinner party ideas

Last updated on April 21st, 2024 at 03:41 pm

10 Best Taco Dinner Party Ideas for Kids and Adults

There’s a reason why Taco Tuesday exists.  What’s the reason, it’s one of the best taco dinner party ideas! 

However, tacos are not just for Tuesdays!  If you are looking for taco party ideas, you have come to the right spot.  

How to Host the Ultimate Taco Night 

Taco parties are perfect for so many occasions such as birthday parties, graduation parties, and of course, Cinco de Mayo parties.  Moreover, taco parties are perfect for both kids and adults.

When it comes to tacos, there are so many options from taco salad to taco dinner boards.  The beauty of a taco night is the ability to customize each taco when serving. Moreover, tacos can be self-serve stations where you build your own taco or they can be made to order.

Listed in this article are 10 best taco dinner party ideas for all occasions.

Taco Bar Party Ideas

You will love these taco bars ideas because they are delicious and easy. 

#1 DIY Ultimate Taco Bar Night

Setting up a DIY Taco Bar menu is a great way to have all of your guests customize their own tacos.  There are lots of taco bar ideas that you can use to be able to have a colorful and tasty taco night. 

First, we need the meat and protein option.  

Here are a few starters:

  • Set up a slow cooker with the protein options to keep them warm.  
  • Ground beef is the most common meat option.
  • However, it is great to have refried beans as a plant-based protein option as well. 

Next, you will want to make sure to have the tortillas and tortilla chips ready to go.  Tortillas can be soft corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or taco shells.

Finally, the toppings are the best part of all!  Here is a list of toppings and taco fillings for your taco dinner party ideas:

  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Sour Cream
  • Black Beans
  • Black Olives
  • Fresh Salsa

Here is a Taco Bar Checklist

taco dinner party ideas, taco bar checklist

Use this checklist as an easy guide to creating the ultimate Taco Bar.  It doesn’t have to be complicated.  Keep it simple with all of your favorite taco essentials.

#2 Taco Nacho Bar

Similar to a taco bar, you can have basically the same ingredients with the exception is you will need lots of tortilla chips for this one. 

Be sure to have your protein and lots of tangy taco toppings.  

Easy Taco Dinner Party Ideas

Like most moms, getting the family together or having a party with friends can be a lot of work.  Instead of adding stress with a complicated menu, keep it simple with these easy taco dinner party ideas.

#3 Fish Tacos

A tasty light alternative to a traditional taco is fish tacos.  Fish tacos can be made of a variety of fish such as cod, tilapia, salmon, catfish, and halibut. 

For a lighter eating experience, bake, grill, or broil the seasoned fish.  Fish tacos are generally served on a soft tortilla. Garnish with a lime for freshly squeezed lime juice on the fish.

#4 Pork Carnitas

Want a taco with big flavor? Try making pork carnitas.  Pork carnitas are a traditional Mexican food which allows pork to be marinated and cooked slowly using citrus and seasonings.

Once the pork is cooked, it is pulled apart and shredded.  This delicious meat is used as the protein filling for tacos.

#5 Beef Tacos

Known as the most common taco staple ingredient, ground beef is the perfect taco meat for taco dinner party ideas. 

It is relatively easy to prepare ahead of time for both large and small groups.  It is easy to keep warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish. 

#6 Chicken Tacos

It is amazing that when chicken is seasoned with Mexican spices such as chili powder and cumin, it can create a delicious taco blend.  

Chicken can be used as the taco protein for any of your traditional types of tacos.  Additionally, the same types of toppings are still perfect pairings with chicken tacos as well.

Taco Dinner Party Ideas for a Crowd

When you are expecting a larger crowd for a taco dinner party, it’s a good idea to plan something easy for people to grab and walk around.  A taco board and street tacos are the perfect pairing for a crowded dinner party. 

#7 Taco Board

Similar to a charcuterie board, think of a taco board as a charcuterie for taco lovers!  Your crowd will love this idea of all of the taco fixings on a board.  

Be sure to have a large board because all of the toppings will need plenty of room.  Use lots of colorful toppings to create an epic taco board.  

Here is a great example of a taco charcuterie board.

#8 Street Tacos

When there is a crowd at a party, guests are generally walking around.  One of the best types of tacos for walking around is a street taco.  

Street tacos are small tacos that are the perfect hand held meal.  You can find small flat corn or flour tortillas made for street taco size.

Taco Recipe Ideas

Are you an adventurous taco maker?  You might be looking for something more hands-on.  These recipes are perfect for getting creative in the kitchen while preparing a delicious dish. 

#9 Wonton Taco Cups

This is a non-traditional favorite – especially for kids.  Using a crispy wonton, you can create an amazing taco eating experience.  Here is a recipe for Crunchy Wonton Taco Cups. 

#10 Homemade Tortilla Tacos

If you have never eaten a fresh homemade taco, you are about to have an epic experience.  Here is a homemade flour tortilla recipe.

How to Serve Tacos at a Party

With a full list of fun ideas for a taco dinner party, the only main question now is when will you host your taco dinner party?

Serving tacos is one of the least stressful menus out there. The main ingredient to keep hot is the protein. The tortillas and the toppings are mostly either shelf stable or cold items. 

Serve tacos on boards, taco bar, or already put together.

What to Serve with Tacos at a Party

One of the best qualities of a taco is that it has a variety of components: meat, cheese, vegetables, tortilla for grain.  

That is what makes it easy for a meal solution.  However, if you are looking for more items to pair with tacos, here are a few ideas:

  • Mexican Rice
  • Homemade Salsa
  • Refried Beans
  • Guacamole
  • Plantain Chips
  • Chopped Salad

You can also pair tacos with some of these appetizers for pizza party.

When I think of tacos, it makes me think of quesadillas as well.  If you enjoyed these taco dinner party ideas, you will love these creative quesadillas with cheese.  These quesadilla ideas are perfect for party celebrations.

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Creative Quesadillas with Cheese

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