Tacos for 30 teens

[KJB]

I am making dinner for dd's youth group. How much hamburger would you buy to make tacos for 30 teenagers. This will be dinner for them on a weeknight.

 

I am making tacos with trimmings, beans, chips and salsa, and brownies.

 

Do you think figuring each kid will eat 3-4 oz of taco meat and around two (soft shell) tacos each is about right?

 

Thanks!

[Impish]

I'd double the amt of tacos. Tazzie can eat 3 of them, so I don't doubt teen boys could inhale a stack!

 

As for ground beef, just get the whole cow.

 

Did I mention I have 3 brothers? Like a swarm of locusts in their teens, I swear!

[KJB]

I'd double the amt of tacos. Tazzie can eat 3 of them, so I don't doubt teen boys could inhale a stack!

 

As for ground beef, just get the whole cow.

 

Did I mention I have 3 brothers? Like a swarm of locusts in their teens, I swear!

 

Hmmmm....the whole cow, you say? :001_huh: Can you convert that to ounces? LOL

[keptwoman]

I've catered for Scouts and Venturers (14-18s) the Venturers inhale food. I would say 200g or 8oz of ground beef per teen. So that makes 6kg or 13lbs of ground beef. I'd probably go with 3.5-4 tacos per teen. Don't forget LOTS of salad and cheese to bulk them out.

[Carrie12345]

I've catered for Scouts and Venturers (14-18s) the Venturers inhale food. I would say 200g or 8oz of ground beef per teen. So that makes 6kg or 13lbs of ground beef. I'd probably go with 3.5-4 tacos per teen. Don't forget LOTS of salad and cheese to bulk them out.

 

Yes, definitely go heavy on the less expensive toppings!

My family (6 eaters) will sometimes empty 2lbs of taco meat for dinner, and only one is a (12yo) rapidly growing boy. Based on his habits, I'd go with the 8oz/boy. Any potential leftovers can be frozen.

[KJB]

Yes, definitely go heavy on the less expensive toppings!

My family (6 eaters) will sometimes empty 2lbs of taco meat for dinner, and only one is a (12yo) rapidly growing boy. Based on his habits, I'd go with the 8oz/boy. Any potential leftovers can be frozen.

 

 

Wowsers. 8 oz per teen? 15lbs of meat? :willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

 

I'm going to need to make another run to the store!

 

:auto:

 

Thanks!

[Carrie12345]

Wowsers. 8 oz per teen? 15lbs of meat? :willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

 

I'm going to need to make another run to the store!

 

:auto:

 

Thanks!

 

Lol. Well, you *could* always use beans as a filler!

I also still have the meatloaf thread in my head, so that could be influencing me. ;)

[Snickerdoodle]

Wowsers. 8 oz per teen? 15lbs of meat?

 

You did say "teen". I think 8oz sounds about right.

 

In addition to your meal you could also make some red rice.

[MamaT]

Wowsers. 8 oz per teen? 15lbs of meat? :willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

 

I'm going to need to make another run to the store!

 

:auto:

 

Thanks!

 

Yes, that's about right. I end up feeding a group of teenagers just about every weekend. Go to the store. :001_smile:

[Margo out of lurking]

I'd plan for 10 lbs. of meat.

 

Better yet, if YOU prefill the taco shells with the meat, you can control how much meat is in each taco. The kids can top off with their own choices. I think many teens don't have a good eye for a regular "portion" and can't judge how much to leave for the next person.

 

Have FUN!

[SailorMom]

My teen sons will eat about 1/2 lb minimum of ground beef in tacos.... they are getting more expensive by the day!

[amydavis]

I agree with the 8oz. per teen. I also agree that you should make the tacos yourself. I would also plate the food as they come down the line. I'd start with 2 tacos on the plate with the sides, and let it be known they could come back up for another taco (or 2) if they wanted. That would cut down on waste.

[Julie in CA]

I frequently have a houseful of teenage boys eating dinner at my house.

I would figure 8 oz. per person, and I would also buy canned chili beans (not canned chili, just beans in seasoned sauce) and I'd add that to the cooked taco meat. I'd also make rice & refried beans to help stretch everything. If you end up with leftovers you can always freeze them for later.

 

Just in case you want it, we love this big batch rice recipe. You can double the recipe if you want more, halve it if you want less, and it freezes beautifully. It doesn't have a lot of veggie "bits" in it that some kids shy away from. ;)

 

In a large stock pot, saute the following ingredients:

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 cups rice

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons cumin

 

Add the following ingredients:

4 teaspoons garlic salt

1/2 cup dried minced onion

2 cups tomato sauce

8 cups chicken broth

 

Bring to a brisk boil, stirring occasionally, then put on the lid and reduce the heat to simmer. Let rice cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Fluff with a fork, and serve.

 

Have fun! It's such happy chaos when there's a crowd of teenagers in the house! :)

[Pretty in Pink]

Yep, I'd go with 8 oz. per person. You could also pre-fill the tacos with meat filling, line them up in pans, and let the kids just add their own toppings.

 

We do a delicious filling that is half meat, half refried beans, seasoned with taco-style seasonings.

[Stacia]

I think you should just move into your local Taco Bell. ;)

 

(Agreeing w/ getting more for a group of teens.)

[AndyJoy]

I wouldn't pre-mix the meat with beans because I know quite a few people who don't like beans and get ill at the thought of having to eat them.

 

I would definitely fill the tacos with meat for them!

[Elisabeth in IL]

Yesterday, I fed 30 kids Taco's in a Bag and I used 5 lbs of ground beef with 1 can of Beans mixed in. There was enough for every one to have one bag taco with the fixing with a little meat left over - maybe enough for 3 or 4 more tacos.