Looking for Healthy Tailgating Food? Try a Taco Bar 

Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD

| 2 min read

Tailgating taco bar
Tailgating food doesn’t have to be unhealthy, enter – taco bar. Hosting a taco bar for a tailgate can mean a mix of purchasing pre-prepared ingredients and making a few easy recipes at home. The key to a successful healthy taco bar is to offer a variety of lean proteins and vegetables in a tasty way.
The size of street tacos make them excellent for portion control. Consider offering mixed greens for guests who prefer a to make their tacos deconstructed in a salad format. These easy and delicious options will pack in nutrients for everyone at your next taco bar:
  • Black beans
  • Two-ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken (recipe below)
  • Mixed greens for salad
  • Salsas
  • Fajita vegetables
  • Chilled creamy cilantro lime cabbage salad (recipe below)
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced onions
  • Pickled jalapeños or banana peppers
  • Low-fat shredded cheese
  • Avocados
  • Guacamole
  • Diced pineapple
  • Lime slices
For University of Michigan and Michigan State fans, flaunt your team colors with an "A-maize-ing" Pineapple Salsa with blue corn chips and a State Salsa Verde with white tortilla chips.
State Salsa Verde recipe

State Salsa Verde

Check out this Spartan-friendly recipe and serve with tortilla chips.

Recipes

Another fantastic recipe to consider incorporating into your tailgate is this grilled shrimp tacos with avocado and chili lime chimichurri recipe.
Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan
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