Don't Forget These Two Ingredients When Creating A Build-Your-Own Taco Bar

Getting the opportunity to host friends and family for a festive occasion is always a treat, but it also requires careful planning. When deciding what to serve, it is never a bad idea to follow Guy Fieri's number one tip on hosting a party by creating a build-your-own station that allows guests to customize their plates. Tacos are usually a crowd-pleaser, but make sure you have the best ingredients available when you lay out your spread.

Marc Marrone, the Executive Chef at Arriba Abajo in Houston, Texas, gave us some suggestions as ot what you should include in your array. Some ingredients, like proteins and cheeses, are obvious, but according to the chef of the festive rooftop cantina, there are others that give your taco bar a wow factor. "Nopal and charred green onions are two ingredients that are a personal favorite and can bring an elevated feel to any spread," Marrone said.

For those unfamiliar with nopal, it is the pads of prickly pear cactus that are a staple of Mexican cuisine and which can often be found in your local supermarket or Latin American grocery. The texture is similar to okra, with an earthy, citrusy flavor that lends a bright element to any taco. Green onions — also known as scallions to those trying out TikTok's viral scallion latte trend — impart a little sweetness and smokiness when charred. Both of these ingredients take tacos to another level, but if you really want to impress, consider swapping out the sour cream on your taco bar for something more authentic.

Nopal and charred green onions aren't things you see on every taco bar, but something any spread worth its salt has sour cream available. The tangy richness is just what you need to balance spicier elements on the table. However, according to Marrone, there is a better ingredient that does all that and still allows all the interesting flavors in your meal to shine. He said, "Mexican cream makes a great alternative topping to sour cream as it is a bit thinner with a mellow flavor that doesn't overpower the taco."

If you are going to the trouble to char green onions and find nopales for your taco bar, you wouldn't want those tastes to be muted by a rich sour cream. Mexican cream (or crema) is less tangy than sour cream. The texture is also more liquid than sour cream (which is an ingredient that can level up mashed potatoes as well as tacos). Ultimately, creating a build-your-own taco bar is all about balancing flavors and textures. Choosing the right ingredients to put out as part of your spread can be the difference between lackluster and superb.