Quick Answer
For 20 people, you will need about 10-12 pounds of ground beef to make taco meat. The general rule of thumb is 1/2 pound of meat per person when serving tacos. This allows for 2-3 tacos per person. To be on the safe side, get 12 pounds of ground beef so you have extra just in case.
Calculating How Much Taco Meat Per Person
When figuring out how much taco meat to make for a group, the typical recommendation is:
- 1/2 pound of ground beef per person
- This will give 2-3 tacos per person
So for 20 people you would need:
- 20 people x 1/2 pound per person = 10 pounds of ground beef
Getting 12 pounds of meat instead of just 10 pounds gives you a little extra buffer in case people are hungrier than expected. It’s always better to have leftover taco meat than not enough!
Taco Meat Recipe Per Pound
Here is a basic taco meat recipe per 1 pound of ground beef:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 pound |
| Taco seasoning | 1 packet (1.25 oz) |
| Water | 1/2 cup |
To make enough taco meat for 20 people, you would multiply the ingredients by 12 pounds of ground beef.
So the ingredient amounts would be:
- Ground beef: 12 pounds
- Taco seasoning: 12 packets (15 oz)
- Water: 6 cups
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here is a step-by-step guide for making taco meat for a crowd:
- Brown the ground beef – Cook 12 pounds of ground beef in a very large skillet, breaking it up into crumbles as it browns. Cook until no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat – Drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef. Leave a little bit of fat for extra flavor.
- Add taco seasoning and water – Add 12 packets of taco seasoning and 6 cups of water. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer – Allow the taco meat to simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken up.
- Adjust seasonings – Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You may want to add more taco seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.
- Keep warm – Keep the taco meat warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish until ready to serve.
- Serve – Provide the taco meat along with tortillas, taco toppings, chips and salsa, and all the taco fixings!
Taco Bar Setup for a Crowd
When serving tacos for 20 people or more, it’s best to set up a taco bar so guests can customize their tacos how they like. Here are some tips:
- Have guests line up cafeteria-style to fill their tacos.
- Use large serving dishes and utensils to easily scoop out the taco meat and toppings.
- Keep the taco meat, beans, salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. in separate dishes so they don’t get soggy.
- Include both hard and soft taco shells so people can choose.
- Have extra serving utensils on hand so you can replenish dishes as needed.
- Consider keeping some ingredients (like guacamole and sour cream) in the refrigerator until serving time.
- Set up a service area with napkins, extra plates, forks, etc. nearby.
A taco bar makes it easy for guests to build their perfect tacos without congestion. It also prevents the meat and toppings from getting overcrowded on one plate.
Leftover Taco Meat Ideas
Leftover taco meat can be used in so many ways! Here are some ideas:
- Taco salads – Top salad greens with taco meat, cheese, beans, salsa, etc.
- Burritos – Wrap taco meat and fixings into flour tortillas.
- Taco dip – Layer taco meat, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. and serve with chips.
- Breakfast tacos – Wrap taco meat with scrambled eggs in warm tortillas.
- Taco bowls – Layer taco meat over rice in a bowl.
- Quesadillas – Fill tortillas with taco meat and cheese then grill until crispy.
- Nachos – Top tortilla chips with taco meat, beans, salsa, cheese, etc.
- Taco soup – Simmer leftover taco meat in chicken broth with beans and veggies.
- Taco pasta – Toss leftover taco meat with pasta, salsa, and cheese.
The possibilities are endless! Leftover taco meat will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
Meat Alternatives for Vegetarian Tacos
If you need to accommodate vegetarians, here are some excellent taco meat substitutes:
- Soy crumbles or textured vegetable protein (TVP) – Rehydrate TVP with taco seasoning for a meaty texture.
- Lentils or black beans – Season cooked lentils or beans with taco seasoning.
- Mushrooms – Saute chopped mushrooms with taco seasoning.
- Tempeh – Pan-fry seasoned cubes of tempeh.
- Jackfruit – Shred green jackfruit and cook it with taco spices.
- Seitan – Use chopped seitan sautéed in taco seasoning.
For the vegan option, be sure to use vegan cheese, sour cream, etc. Lentils, beans or crumbles make excellent taco meat fillings for vegetarians and provide protein.
Cost Comparison of Ground Beef vs. Meat Alternatives
Here is a cost comparison of using 12 pounds of ground beef vs. some popular meat alternatives for tacos for 20 people:
| Meat Option | Cost Estimate* |
|---|---|
| 12 lbs ground beef | $36 |
| 12 lbs soy crumbles | $72 |
| 12 lbs cooked lentils | $24 |
| 12 lbs canned black beans | $36 |
| 10 lbs mushrooms | $40 |
*Cost estimates based on average U.S. grocery store pricing.
As you can see, ground beef is generally the most budget-friendly option for feeding a crowd. Lentils and canned beans are other inexpensive meatless options.
Non-Beef Meat Options
If you want to use a different type of meat besides ground beef, here are some good options for tacos:
- Ground turkey or chicken – Substitute 1 pound for 1 pound of beef.
- Shredded pork carnitas – Cook and shred 12 pounds of pork shoulder.
- Grilled steak – Grill flank steak or skirt steak, then slice thinly.
- Ground bison or elk – Use instead of beef for a leaner option.
- Chorizo sausage – Cook and crumble Mexican chorizo.
- Shrimp – Saute 12 pounds of peeled shrimp.
- Fish – Pan-fry or grill firm white fish like cod or tilapia.
Any of these meats can be seasoned with taco seasoning. Getting 12 pounds will provide enough for 20 people when served taco-style.
Making Tacos for 20 on a Budget
Here are some tips for making tacos for a crowd while keeping costs down:
- Buy ground beef when on sale or in bulk packages. Pre-freeze in portions to save money.
- Use less expensive cuts of meat like pork shoulder or chuck roast. Slow cook then shred.
- Substitute half the meat with beans, lentils, or TVP crumbles.
- Make your own taco seasoning instead of using packets. Use dried spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and salt.
- Set up build-your-own style to avoid unused toppings. Provide just the essentials.
- Buy tortillas, shells, and chips at bulk/warehouse stores like Costco.
- Use store-brand ingredients like shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.
- Make inexpensive homemade salsas and guacamole.
- Keep it simple. Tacos don’t require fancy expensive ingredients to taste amazing.
With some planning and smart substitutions, you can make delicious tacos for a crowd without spending a fortune. The key is buying in bulk, choosing economical ingredients, and allowing people to customize their own so there’s no waste.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some suggestions to make your taco feast go smoothly when serving 20 people:
- Set up a taco bar for easy self-serve access to all ingredients.
- Have guests line up cafeteria-style to prevent congestion and allow space for toppings.
- Use disposable plates, napkins, and serving utensils to make cleanup easy.
- Keep ingredients that can cause sogginess (lettuce, tomato, sour cream) separate from meat and shells.
- Provide both hard and soft taco shells so people can choose.
- Make sure you have extra servings of meat, shells/tortillas, beans, rice, etc. Better to have too much than run out.
- Replenish ingredients as needed so the food stays fresh. No one wants wilted lettuce or soggy tortillas.
- Consider having a server or two to refill dishes, bus tables, etc. so guests can focus on eating, talking, and having fun.
With a well-organized taco bar setup and extra servings on hand, you’re sure to keep your hungry crowd happy and satisfied. ¡Buen provecho!
Conclusion
Figuring out how much taco meat to make for a party is easy using the 1/2 pound per person guideline. For 20 people, aim for 10-12 pounds of ground beef. Cook the meat with taco seasoning, set up a build-your-own taco bar with plenty of shells and fixings, and prepare for a phenomenal taco fiesta. With the taco meat recipe, tips, and suggestions in this article, you’ll be ready to feed a crowd of 20 people or more with ease.