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Ben's Galley Build Your Own Taco Bar: Crew Favorite Dinner

Updated: Jun 7

When you want to guarantee happy faces at dinner, set up a taco bar. Boat crews love the customization, and you'll love how easy it is to prep and serve. From mild to spicy, everyone builds their perfect taco combination.



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Why Taco Bars Work on Boats

Taco bars are perfect for feeding ship crews with different spice tolerances and dietary preferences. The interactive build your own taco bar setup gets everyone involved and creates a fun, social dinner atmosphere after a long day of work.


The galley advantage: One prep session feeds 15+ people, accommodates all tastes, and the setup keeps crews moving efficiently through the line.


Build Your Own Taco Bar Setup (Serves 12-15)

Protein Station:

  • 3 lbs ground beef, seasoned and cooked

  • 2 lbs carnitas (slow cooker pork)

  • 2 cans refried beans, warmed

  • 1 can black beans, warmed


Shell & Base Station:

  • 2 packages hard taco shells

  • 2 packages soft flour tortillas

  • 1 package corn tortillas



Cheese & Dairy:

  • Shredded Mexican cheese blend

  • Shredded cheddar cheese

  • Sour cream


Fresh Toppings:

  • Shredded Lettuce

  • 6 large tomatoes, diced

  • 2 large onions, diced

  • 4 limes, cut into wedges

  • 2 avocados, sliced (add fresh)

  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped


Salsas & Sauces:

  • Mild salsa

  • Medium salsa

  • Hot salsa

  • Pico de gallo

  • Guacamole

  • Hot sauce varieties

Sides:

  • Spanish rice

  • Mexican street corn

  • Tortilla chips

  • Warm dinner rolls


Setup Instructions

  1. Cook proteins: Prepare all meats in advance and keep warm in slow cookers or chafing dishes.

  2. Prep vegetables: Dice, slice, and chop all fresh ingredients. Store covered until service.

  3. Warm shells: Keep taco shells and tortillas warm in covered containers or warming trays.

  4. Arrange stations: Set up in logical order - shells, proteins, cheese, toppings, salsas.

  5. Provide serving tools: Spoons, tongs, and ladles at each station.

  6. Keep it organized: Clear labels help crews move through efficiently.


Chef's Tips

  • Season proteins well - cumin, chili powder, and garlic make all the difference

  • Keep shells warm - cold taco shells break easily

  • Prep extra guacamole - it always goes fast

  • Set up napkin stations - tacos can get messy

  • Have backup tortillas - soft shells are always popular

  • Keep proteins at safe temperatures - use chafing dishes or slow cookers


Popular Taco Combinations

Crew Favorites:

  • Classic Beef: Ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream

  • Chicken Supreme: Grilled chicken, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo

  • Carnitas Special: Slow cooked pork, onions, cilantro, lime, hot salsa

  • Veggie Power: Black beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, guacamole



Ben's Gadgets

Divided Serving Tray with Lid and Handle

Perfect for organizing smaller taco toppings like diced onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. The compartments keep everything separated and fresh, while the lid protects ingredients during setup.








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