Because Wednesday is the new Saturday
1: Keep the decorations bright and colorful. I happened to find this metallic cactus in the photo above at a Michael’s store while I was picking up ribbon a few weeks ago. It was pure luck since we were hosting a taco party that night! I haven’t had any luck finding it online, but I bought it recently, so highly recommend stopping by your nearest one to see if they carry them. We paired it with an authentic blanket and cactus cocktail napkins (HomeGoods find).
2: Make it a casual evening. Break out the espadrilles, linen, and ponytails. I’ve shared before how much I love hosting weeknight dinner parties, and this is one of the reasons why. The pressure is much lower since you’re hosting in the middle of a workweek and, because of that, your guests will appreciate a relaxed dress code. I know I’m always glad to trade in my pumps for something more foot-friendly after the workday.
3: It’s all about the toppings. Yep, that’s right. The more toppings you have for your tacos, the better. We always make sure we have the following ones on-hand for these parties:
- Cheddar cheese (grated from the block is best)
- Mexican blend cheese (you can never have too much cheese)
- Shredded iceberg or Romaine lettuce (make sure you have plenty in case your guests prefer to go taco-shell-less and opt for a salad instead)
- Diced tomatoes
- Pico de gallo (so simple: diced white onion, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a good squeeze or two of lime)
- Taco sauce
- Sour cream (you can substitute Greek yogurt – just make sure it’s plain)
- Sliced jalapenos (fresh or pickled)
- Cilantro
- Diced pineapple (if you want to add an “al Pastor” flair)
Don’t forget about the shells. We aim to have enough taco shells for each guest to have 3-4 regular-sized tacos. Chances are good that your guests will likely have 2-3 each, but this way, you’re guaranteed to have enough for everyone. Make sure you have a good mix of soft taco shells and hard taco shells. It never hurts to buy more than you think you’ll need (hello, leftovers). Pro tip for your taco salad guests: crushed taco shells add a fabulous crunch texture to a salad.
The only trying part of this kind of party is that you’ll have a hefty amount of dishes in the end, so it’s best to use dishwasher-safe items. We serve our toppings in ramekins and clear glass bowls (nesting bowls are fabulous for this).
4: Margaritas, please. They’re a classic pairing for a reason, but you don’t have to stick with the same old classic margaritas. Spice things up with pineapple and jalapeno or sweeten things with a splash pomegranate juice and seeds. Another favorite pairing? Grapefruit and jalapeno.
Serve your margs in glass or acrylic margarita glasses – just make sure you have enough space for salt on the rim and crushed ice in the glass. We have these exact acrylic glasses and love them.
Pro-tip: Make sure you have an alcohol-free option for your guests. Sparkling water with different fresh sliced fruit options (pineapple, watermelon, lemon, etc.) and fun paper straws are always a hit.
Cheers!
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