Pack these fun taco jars for your next picnic

Summer is almost here and the call of the outdoors is coming through loud and clear. We are daydreaming of days by the pool, heading to the beach, and packing up a basket with delicious food to enjoy a picnic with friends and family. There is a challenge with putting together a picnic meal away from home, though. You need to plan food and drinks that are easily portable and keep well outside until you’re ready to sit and eat. Usually, this means packing something simple like sandwiches and chips.

But, we found a food idea that can turn a plain picnic into a Mexican fiesta! Imagine enjoying tacos while basking under the sun on a blanket. What? Tacos are messy, right? And how do you pack all the fixings you need to build the perfect taco? Better Homes and Gardens got inspired by the mason jar trend and came up with a way to make taco jars that are perfect for a picnic.

We’ve seen mason jars used to make yummy snacks, salads, and even an ingenious bar in a jar. So, why not use these handy glass containers to make tacos on the go?

Sure, these are probably more like taco salad, but who are we to quibble about names when you get tasty tacos instead of blah sandwiches?

The prep time to make the taco jars is only 20 minutes. Then, if packed in an insulated cooler, they will stay fresh for up to two hours. It doesn’t get much easier than that. Plus, we like that taco meat is seasoned with fresh spices. There’s nothing in this recipe that comes from a pre-packaged kit.

You will need some basic taco ingredients, including:

• Ground beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Ground cumin
• Pepper
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped tomato
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Tortilla chips
• Salsa

You can get the specific ingredient amounts and the method on the Better Homes and Garden recipe page.

Plus, there’s a helpful video that shows how to cook and build the best taco jar possible. You won’t believe how simple it is.

Of course, once you’ve got this idea in your head, you can change it up by adding whatever ingredients you like on your tacos, from sour cream and guacamole to different proteins and vegetables.

Once these taco jars are done, simply tuck them into an insulated cooler, put them into your picnic basket, and get out and enjoy the day. Your spicy meal will be ready and waiting for you after some time in the water, playing games, or just sitting outside and enjoying the gorgeous weather.