HollyDay Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Dd wants a taco bar for her birthday party. Can I cook the meat ahead of time and put it in the crockpot so I can enjoy my guests? I'm planning: hard and soft taco shells shredded cheese shredded lettuce salsa sour cream avocado (if I can find some that are not hard as bricks) chopped onion Anything else come to mind? I'm toying with refried beans and/or rice. But, I want things pre-prepared so I can spend time in the pool with our friends. Bean dip? Anyone have an easy recipe? I'll have various sodas, iced tea, water, cake and ice cream of course. What am I missing?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Yes, you can make taco meat in a crock pot. I do mine with a can of diced tomatoes so it doesn't dry out at all. If you have a rice cooker it works really well for this- mine keeps rice hot for 12 hours. What about some pico de gallo? Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 My neighbor in Hawaii and I hosted a big party a while back with a taco bar. We did everything ahead of time and used a bunch of crockpots to keep everything warm. We did shredded beef, using pot roasts. I put two of them in my crockpot, they cooked all day, we shredded them and added seasoning. I did boneless chicken thighs in another crockpot with verde sauce and shredded it after it was done cooking. I made the beans and Mexican rice ahead of time and kept them warm in the crockpot. I used 2 tortilla warmers, rotating them in the oven to keep them warm. It all worked out really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 We did a taco bar at my son's graduation and my Creative Memories consultant does them frequently at crops. I would add a thought that many folks are not eating carbs, but will instead make a salad out of the taco meat. ( guilty) Just be sure to have lots of lettuce and sometimes folks use more than you had planned on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 corn beans sounds yummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmith Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 We did this for my son's birthday last year. We used the crockpot for the meat, and put a bowl of sour cream in a larger bowl filled with ice. The only topping I would add to your list is tomato. We also served refried beans baked with cheese and onions on top as a side, along with some Mexican rice and jalapeno cheddar corn muffins. Many of the adults went the taco salad route, so make sure you have enough lettuce. For dessert dh did some churros in the deep fryer, along with birthday cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Absolutely, you can make the meat ahead of time. You can make it the day before. It can even be frozen. Just add some extra water if it starts to dry out. Other nice additions: + Chopped tomato + Black beans (just open can, drain/discard about half the juice, dump rest into small pan, toss in some salsa, simmer for 10 min) + "roasted" corn. Just toss a can of corn kernels (drained) into a skillet with some butter, saute for a few minutes, toss in a spoonful of salsa, saute for another few minutes. Serve warm or cool. Mmmmm. + Guacamole. Mmmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Layered bean dip: 1 can refried beans (I use the fat free kind) salsa small can green chilies sour cream shredded cheese diced olives diced green onions. Layer all this on a plate and have a bowl of tortilla chips available. Chill dip until ready to serve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdie Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 I just did this tonight for my dd's sleep over party. I added refried beans from a can since my dd is a vegetarian. I also had chopped tomatoes and guac. The guac. was a big hit. No onion, but these were middle schoolers. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 I do have a great recipe for fresh corn and black bean salsa. I could make that up ahead of time too Great tip on the extra lettuce. One of our guests is diabetic, so I better have some extra lettuce and protein (cheese and meat) on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristyND Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 We frequently have taco parties for large gatherings because it is so easy to maintain during the party. Our roaster has an insert with 3 warming trays and that is what we use to keep the beef, refried beans and tortillas warm, we put water in the bottom of the roasting pan. I agree on having a large amount of lettuce available as a number of people do end up making salads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cshell Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Just to clarify....;) Do you all pre-cook the meat with seasonings etc.... & then just keep it warm in the crockpot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 You could mix black beans and corn and diced tomato - it is great on tacos hot or cold. Otherwise it sounds great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Just to clarify....;)Do you all pre-cook the meat with seasonings etc.... & then just keep it warm in the crockpot? If I make shredded beef I cook it in the crock pot. If ground beef I cook it on the stove and then keep it warm in the crock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Taco meat left in the crock pot all day is the best! It is so, so good. A taco bar sounds very yummy. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Dd wants a taco bar for her birthday party. Can I cook the meat ahead of time and put it in the crockpot so I can enjoy my guests? I'm planning: hard and soft taco shells shredded cheese shredded lettuce salsa sour cream avocado (if I can find some that are not hard as bricks) chopped onion Anything else come to mind? I'm toying with refried beans and/or rice. But, I want things pre-prepared so I can spend time in the pool with our friends. Bean dip? Anyone have an easy recipe? I'll have various sodas, iced tea, water, cake and ice cream of course. What am I missing?? When you say "taco shells," are you meaning actual corn or flour tortillas, or those pre-made crispy thingies like you get at Taco Bell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 If I were doing this, I might use flat tostada shells instead of crispy taco shells, simply b/c I find the crispy shells difficult to fill. With a buffet, people might be slowed down trying to fill the crispy shells. I always have refried beans for tostadas - they are the "glue" that holds the meat on! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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