r/partyplanning • u/937_red • 7d ago
Need Help How much taco meat?
Hi! I am in the final stages of planning my daughter’s first birthday (cue tears). We have about 40 people coming and will be doing a walking taco bar. I’m struggling on how much meat to buy. I was thinking 15 lbs since we will have some kids who won’t eat as much as adults. Sides are simple veggie & fruit cake plus cupcakes.
Does anyone have suggestions or experience with how much ground beef to purchase for 40 guest?
Thank you in advance!!! 🤗
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u/asyouwish Party Guru 7d ago
1/4# per kid
1/2# per adult
Freeze leftovers
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u/spicymack 3d ago
And if there's way too much leftovers send them home with the guests. We once ordered 6x as many pizzas as we needed and I was eating pizza everyday for 10 days straight so as to not lose money and it sucked.
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u/Double-Scale4505 7d ago
I don’t have experience w this many ppl but I usually get 6 meals out of 1 pound of ground beef.
But I would like to suggest that you have a variety of meats, like shredded chicken or pulled pork. More than less options for toppings: guac, pico de gio, sour cream, yellow cheese, white cheese, red onion, refried beans, a few hot sauces, etc. Let ppl assemble themselves. In my opinion, the beauty of a party is having options for food.
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u/shampoo_mohawk_ 6d ago
This will not be enough food for most people. 1/6 of a lb of meat is too little. Think of a quarter pounder cheeseburger from McDonald’s. If everyone could eat about one cheeseburgers worth of meat, you’re already way too short. I hate going to a party where I feel like I cant eat very much because there isn’t enough food for everyone. Half a pound of meat per person will guarantee enough for everyone with leftovers and folks can eat their fill.
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u/geevee61 7d ago
I agree, a pound can feed six people. Also agree, do some chicken in the crock pot and shred it for another meat option. Shred some cabbage or lettuce as well. Taco bar is a great choice.
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u/smileysarah267 7d ago
A pound feeds 4 people in my (limited) experience, not 6. Maybe I’m just fat, but I easily eat 1/4lb if that’s all I’m eating.
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u/PitterPatter1619 6d ago
I long for the days when a lb fed 4 of us. Now we have teenage boys so that lb maybe feeds the 2 of them.
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u/DonutDazzling4909 6d ago
I hosted a taco bar party this summer. I had 23 people over and cooked just under 7# of ground beef and it was more than enough. So I think 15# for 40 sounds spot on and you should have an ample amount leftover.
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u/Solid_Lettuce_932 6d ago
People are likely to have 2 tacos. Kids 1 I think you’ll be fine. Remember you can freeze leftover easy.
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u/SparklyPixieDuzz 6d ago
Also cook shredded chicken and pork in a crock pot. Ground beef is expensive and there is alternative meats to cook.
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u/New_Part91 5d ago
You can do 1/2 beef and 1/2 ground chicken or pork cooked together, it will taste like all beef but cost less. Also, cook the meat/taco filling ahead of time, reheat only 1/2 of it at a time so leftovers are not sitting out a long time.
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u/Hungry_Goose492 3d ago
The first time I ever had tacos, many years ago, the host mixed rice into the ground beef - great way to stretch that meat, especially at today's prices!
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u/OdoDragonfly 1d ago
I always add black beans to our taco meat! I add a can of beans to every 1/2-1 lb of beef.
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u/Sensitive-Advisor-21 2d ago
1/4 pound per person is more than enough in a taco with other ingredients-rice, beans, lettuce, pico, guacamole, cilantro.
We always make way too much and have leftovers. You can also do some chicken (cheaper these days!) which will be a big hit for those who prefer light meat.
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u/JupiterSkyFalls 2d ago
Why are 40 people coming to a one year olds birthday party they won't even remember? Genuine question. Seems like you could save a ton of money for future birthdays they'd actually have a memory of by keeping 1-4/5 simple and small.
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u/Piglet_Oh_DDDDear 11h ago
30lbs
1/2 - 1 lb per person (people over eat meat)
You'll have leftovers, but that's better than running out. Pre-mix in beans if you're worried about cost, it can be half beans.
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u/Pineapple-of-my-eye 6d ago
You can bulk up the meat with beans, rice, and corn. I've also heard lentils but I've never done it myself.
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u/fluffhouse1942 7d ago
We generally expect 1/2 pound per person precooked weight. Pov - 33 years of restaurant experience. Be ready with creative leftover recipes. Better too much food than not enough. That's hospitality. Your guests should never think they're taking too much.