Tacos are a fun crowd-pleasing way to feed a hungry bunch. But figuring out how much taco meat you need for around 40 people can be tricky. You don’t want to run out of that tasty seasoned beef before everyone gets their fill of tacos. Yet you also don’t want to be stuck with piles of leftovers.
So how much ground beef should you buy for tacos for 40? Let’s break it down.
Figuring Out Taco Meat for a Crowd
When making tacos for 40 here are some key numbers to keep in mind
- Adults will eat 2-3 tacos each on average
- Kids ages 2-10 will eat about 1-2 tacos each
- Teens and big eaters can be counted as adults
Based on these serving estimates, you can calculate the total number of tacos needed Then use a handy taco meat calculator to determine how much ground beef to buy.
Using a Taco Meat Calculator
Rather than doing messy math, use an online taco meat calculator like the one found here:
https://mykitchenescapades.com/ground-beef-per-person-for-tacos/
Just plug in the number of adults and kids, and it will automatically tell you how many pounds of ground beef to get.
For example, for 40 people consisting of:
- 30 adults
- 5 teens
- 5 kids ages 5-10
You would need 9-10 pounds of ground beef.
This amount accounts for around 115 tacos, plus a little extra.
Key Tips for Taco Meat for a Crowd
When cooking taco meat for a big group, keep these tips in mind:
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and texture
- Cook in batches to get nice browning
- Allow 1/8 pound or 2 ounces raw meat per taco
- Season generously with homemade taco seasoning
- Keep warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish
Figuring Out Taco Toppings for 40
Once you know how much taco meat you need, estimate toppings. Here is a simple guide per taco:
- 1 taco shell or tortilla
- 2 oz refried beans
- 1.5 oz shredded cheese
- 1 oz lettuce
- 2 oz diced tomatoes
- 1.5 oz salsa
- 1.5 oz guacamole
- 1.5 oz sour cream
- 0.5 oz black olives
Adjust amounts based on preferences.
Handy Serving Tips
Here are some bonus tips for taco success:
- Make extra meat and freeze leftovers
- Keep shells and toppings stocked during serving
- Offer tortilla chips, rice, beans as sides
- Bake a taco-themed cake for dessert
Satisfy the Crowd!
Planning tacos for 40? Use a handy calculator to determine the right amount of ground beef. Cook up some flavorful taco meat, pile on the fixings, and get ready for a fun, delicious taco fiesta! Your crowd will be satisfied with these tasty homemade tacos.
How To Make: Ground Meat for Tacos with Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
FAQ
How much taco meat do I need for a party of 40?
How much ground meat do I need for 40 people?
How many pounds of ground beef for tacos for 50 people?
How many tacos will 10 pounds of ground beef make?
How much ground beef per Taco?
Our calculator simplifies the process of determining how much ground beef you need. The general rule of thumb is 1/8th of a pound (about 2 ounces) of taco meat per taco. This estimation considers the shrinkage of meat during cooking and the addition of seasonings and other ingredients.
How much taco meat to prepare per person?
To determine how much taco meat to prepare per person, consider that the average guest will consume about 2 tacos. Each taco typically requires 2 ounces of cooked meat, totaling 4 ounces per person. Since raw meat reduces in weight when cooked, start with approximately 5.33 ounces of raw meat per person.
How much ground beef should be in a taco shell?
The rule of thumb is four ounces of meat fillings per taco shell for the average person. This will calculate to about eight tablespoons or a 1/2 cup per taco. It is also helpful to consider how much ground beef you will need by thinking through how hearty of an appetite your guest might have.
How much meat do you need for a taco event?
You will need ½ pound of meat per person. 1 pound makes around four servings of taco filling. Guests will likely consume two tacos per event. 3-4 oz of cooked meat will be used for each taco. Each attendee will eat about four ounces of taco meat.