This post is sponsored by General Mills, but all opinions are my own.
Our summer schedule can get pretty chaotic with frequent travels, the kids’ summer camps, and now high school sports. So, I rely on simple meal solutions that I know everyone loves which includes Taco Tuesdays. Today I am sharing everything you need to make the BEST Taco Bar Menu, one that will please the whole family (plus, any friends or family that might be over). I am also sharing my crowd-pleasing guacamole and salsa recipes too!
The Best DIY Taco Bar Menu + Authentic Guacamole Recipe
Creating the perfect Taco Bar Menu is actually pretty simple. You start with a few protein options, a variety of veggie options (cabbage, lettuce, and onions are great), add some fresh salsa & guacamole (store-bought works in a hurry or try my homemade recipes below), shredded cheese, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt is a healthy swap).
I also like to add some sautéed veggies as well. Poblano peppers, bell peppers, and onions are a few of our favs. You can roast or grill them too depending on the taste and look you are going for. And, some fresh fruit can spice it up too! Try grilled pineapple, pomegranate pearls, or mango salsa.
If you are like me you are short on time, which is why I LOVE Walmart’s online order with FREE grocery store pick-up. Ordering is quick and easy- you can do it on your computer or on the Walmart app. Then all I have to do is schedule a pickup time. You can pick up the same day if you order before 1 pm or the next day after 1 pm. Grocery prices are NOT marked up and they’ll even load the groceries into your car for you- its fantastic!!
Our Favorite Taco Bar Menu Items
- El Paso Stand & Stuff Shells
- Ground Turkey Meat, Grilled Fish, Carnitas, Pollo or Carne Asado
- El Paso Traditional Refried Beans
- Shredded Lettuce or Cabbage
- Diced Onions
- Fresh Cilantro
- Salsa (try our homemade recipe below)
- Hot Sauce
- Jalapeno Slices
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt
- Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
- Guacamole (try our homemade recipe below)
- EXTRA- try roasted, grilled, or sautéed veggies!
- EXTRA- add some fruit grilled pineapple, pomegranate pearls, and mango salsa are a few of our favorites.
To make weeknight dinners more fun & exciting for the kids I started buying El Paso’s Stand and Stuff Shells. The kids loved this addition on our taco bar menu. They think they are super fun to fill and I love that they stand on their own allowing the kids to stuff their tacos all by themselves without all of the mess.
They are simple to prepare you just place all of the shells on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes (or until they are crisp).
We like to have a few options when it comes to protein in our taco bar menu because there are so many of us (we have a household of 7). We also like to switch it up because we have tacos so often. By switching up the proteins we don’t get bored. We have tried carne asada, ground turkey or beef, shredded chicken, crockpot salsa verde chicken, fish, shrimp, tofu, and butternut squash & black bean- ALL of which were a hit!
Next up is beans, we love the taste and texture of El Paso’s Traditional Refried Beans so that is a staple. You could opt for pinto or black beans too.
Then you have all of your veggies, the fresher the better. Which is another reason I love Walmart’s pickup service, it’s so easy to grab fresh veggies as you need them.
*Tip- if you have trouble getting your kids to eat fresh veggies try grilling, roasting or sautéeing them. My kids eat cooked veggies much more willingly than they do raw.
The rest of the accompaniments can be store-bought but, if you have 15-20 extra minutes I highly suggest you try our homemade salsa and guacamole recipes below.
Add these delicious homemade recipes to your Taco Bar menu.
Amber’s Homemade Salsa (medium heat)
Making homemade salsa is super easy and so much tastier than store-bought. The only piece of equipment you need is a good blender or food processor.
Ingredients:
- 1- 14.5 oz Canned Tomatoes (I buy the roasted variety)
- 1- 10 oz can of Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
- 1 ½ tsp. Minced Garlic
- ½ of one Onion (chopped)
- 1 Jalapeno (with seeds removed) *You could swap for an Anaheim Pepper if you prefer mild heat. This recipe is medium.
- ½ cup Cilantro
- ¼ tsp Himalayan Sea Salt
- Juice from ½ of one lime
Directions:
- Place the Garlic, Onion, and Jalapeno into your blender pitcher.
- Next, add the two cans of tomatoes.
- After that, you want to add your honey, salt, cilantro leaves and half of the juice from the lime (it can get a strong lime taste very quickly). You can always add more lime as needed after blending.
- Finally, you blend everything together. Usually, a good 30 seconds is good but you can blend until you reach your desired consistency. I find it easier to serve to the kids when it is well blended and they can’t tell which veggies they are eating- ha!
Amber’s Best-Ever Authentic Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 Ripe Avocados
- ½ a small Onion (diced)
- 2 Roma Tomatoes
- 3 TBSP Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
- 2 TBSP Deli-Style Tamed Jalapeno Slices (chopped)
- 1 tsp Garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp Himalayan Sea Salt
Directions:
- Slice avocados in half and remove the pits. Be sure to save the pits by reserving them on the side.
- Then add avocado flesh to a medium mixing bowl.
- Mash avocado with a fork until you reach your desired consistency. We like it a bit chunky.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended.
- Place the washed avocado pits back onto the top of the guacamole and cover with plastic wrap.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to chill then enjoy!
Does your family love taco night?
Amber is not only the dynamic CEO and founder of our team but also a dedicated mother of six and savvy entrepreneur. Her extensive travels with her family have not only created lasting memories but have also led to their tight-knit bonds. Helping you bring your family closer together and finding community with all of you is what gets her out of bed everyday (although her toddler plays a role in this as well).
Latest posts by Mama Munchkin (see all)
- Top 38 Family-Friendly Movies To Watch Together This Fall - October 4, 2024
- 21 Best Kauai Restaurants for Every Occasion - October 2, 2024
- 50 Amazing Disney World Tips (You’ll Actually Use & Love) - September 27, 2024
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment