Do you have any ideas for Mexican side dishes or appetizers I can serve with tacos?

Question

I am hosting a high school graduation party for my grandson and two of his friends in my back yard following the graduation ceremony, which will be attended by family and friends. The boys want tacos, which is fine, so I will set up a "make-your-own-taco-bar." However, I would also like to serve other dishes, as well, and stick with the Mexican theme. I am looking for something relatively easy to make and serve in an outdoor setting. Any ideas? Thank you.

Answer 1

"Spanish Rice"

When you cook your rice, for the liquid use 1/2 chicken broth, 1/2 V8 juice. Add some taco seasoning, and some onion, garlic and vegetables such as green peppers, tomatoes or zucchini. (I cook them in the water with the rice). You can keep this warm in a crock pot for serving.

Nachos
Also nice is nachos, and kids love them. Melt some cheese, have a bag of tortilla chips nearby, and they can use the meat and lettuce and tomatoes from your taco buffet. But most kids like just chips and cheese.

Fruit!
I also suggest a BIG tray of cut fruit. Orange sections, melon slices, whole fresh strawberries, sliced kiwis, fresh blueberries. I find teenagers especially won't touch whole fruit but they will demolish fruit if it's cut up. You could put a simple dip out for the fruit if you like.

How lucky your grandson is to have you, and how nice of you to do this for him! Hope it's great.

Answer 2

Guacamole is often a hit. You just mash up ripe avocados, add a little lemon juice and salt, and leave some of those big seeds in because that keeps the guacamole from turning brown. Or you could do some nachos, just get some chips, melt cheese over em and spoon on some salsa. Maybe some chopped cilantro and some chopped onions on the side as well. Sounds like a nice party and you are nice for hosting it, enjoy!

Getting ripe avocados can sometimes be hard at the last moment so buy 4 or 5 hard ones about 6 days before the event and put em inside a paper bag and they ought to get ripe in time.

Answer 3

It's not really a Mexican dish more of a South American or Cuban dish but it is of Spanish descent. How about sweet plantains? It's sorta healthy since it's bananas. The recipe is quick and simple.

Recipe:
- 2 very ripe plantains or as many as needed (the skin of the plantain should be brownish black)
- oil
- salt (optional)

Heat approximately 1/4" oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
Peel the plantain, and cut at an angle, making slices about 3/4" thick.
Brown plantain in oil, approximately 2 minutes a side, or until both sides are brown.
When browned, remove from skillet and place on a paper towel covered plate to drain the excess oil off.
Serve hot.

The traditional way is to serve plain, but I like to sprinkle them with a little bit of salt for a nice, salty sweet taste.

Answer 4

A platter of a 7 layer dip or the like.
I use layered in this order bottom to top:
Sour Cream mixed with taco seasoning
Refried Beans
Salsa
Shredded Lettuce
Shredded Cheese
Black olives

Or a Dorito Taco Salad
Mix together with dressing on last
Taco flavored Doritos crumbled a bit
Shredded Lettuce
Shredded Cheese
Black Olives
Catalina Dressing

Answer 5

I would say do rice and black beans, try doing it with mojo it adds a good flavor. A cheese dip will almost always be a hit too. You could also do chicken and steak not just ground beef. i wouldnt worry too much about side dishes since tacos cover most of the bases with foods. if youre going to have adults maybe some simple margaritas would keep them entertained too. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I have a great and easy one thats perfect for grownups

Chop up the following into bite sized pieces:
3 cooked white or red beets
1 cucumber peeled
1 peeled Jicama
3 Jalapenos
1 medium red onion
Carmelize the chopped onion and jalepenos on medium low with lots of salt and grape see oil (very healthy)
Then, "de-stalk" 2 ears of corn and saute the kernels until brown
Add to the onions and corn: cooked black beans (rinsed), tobasco, red chilli flakes and black pepper (to taste)
Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool and add the chopped up ingredients. Serve with chips or as a side salad on the side of your taco bar. Ole! (Oy vey)

Answer 7

7 Layer dip. they can put it on top of the tacos or eat it as a dip with chips. don't do the 7 layer dip with lettuce and salsa because that recipe tends to get runny. this is our recipe from bottom to top:

refried beans
avocado (they sell it in the packaged vegetable aisle at walmart)
sourcream (mix in a pkg of taco seasoning)
cheese
tomatoes (w out seeds)
green onions
chopped olives

fix it the night before and put it in the fridge and it will set and all the flavors will come together. this is really easy and it's always a hit at parties!

Answer 8

Easy crockpot taco dip!!

Brown 1lb. meat with 1 packet taco seasoning
drain, add to crockpot
one can "diced tomatoes with green chillis"
1/2 small block origional velveta
1/2 small block pepperjack velveta

put everything in the crockpot and heat untill mixed
serve with "scoops" tortilla chips

easy, fast, and yummy

Answer 9

Fresh Tomato Salsa 3 tomatoes, chopped 1/2 cup finely diced onion 5 serrano chiles, finely chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons lime juice In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, onion, chili peppers, cilantro, salt, and lime juice. Chill for at least one hour and up to 3 days in the refrigerator before serving. ``````````````````````````````````````... Mexican Ceviche 5 large lemons, juiced 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, or to taste tomato and clam juice cocktail 2 white onions, finely chopped 1 cucumber, peeled and finely chopped 1 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped 3 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced 1 bunch radishes, finely diced 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced tortilla chips Place shrimp in a bowl (You may either coarsely chop the shrimp, or leave them whole, depending on your preference.) Add lemon, covering shrimp completely. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until opaque and slightly firm. Add tomatoes, onions, cucumber, radishes, and garlic; toss to combine. Gradually add cilantro and jalapenos to desired taste (jalapeno will grow stronger while marinating). Stir in tomato and clam juices to desired consistency. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve chilled with tortilla chips. ``````````````````````````````````````...

Answer 10

Quesidillas chicken or just cheese, nachos with salsa, Spanish rice, and whole kernel corn chilled with diced red peppers and a light vinaigrette.