Chalupa Party (How to Host This Easy Dinner Party)
Chalupa Party is an easy dinner party idea any time of year! If you’re hosting a crowd of people, this is the dinner party idea you’ve got to try!
Have you heard of Chalupa Party?!
It’s a fun and EASY dinner party that everyone loves — I usually describe it as “Taco Tuesday’s Dream Taco Night.”
You’ll make up my delicious Pulled Pork Chalupa that you serve over Fritos or tortilla chips and lay out a mess of taco toppings.
Start the evening with a salsa bar, and end the night with ice cream sundaes!
This is one dinner party you can make everything a head of time, lay it all out, and enjoy your party with your guests!
Let’s get started.
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What is Chalupa?
I grew up watching my parents host chalupa parties for their friends. It was a kid-free night for a host of their friends; my parents and their friends would eat and laugh around all of the tables in our home.
We have a basement where my brothers and I would hang out while my parents had “adult parties,” I remember sitting down there thinking, “I cannot wait to host my chalupa parties! This is so fun.”
Fast forward, and I’m now hosting my Chalupa parties.
This recipe came from my grandmother and her best friend, Betty. They lived in Orange, Texas, together and got the recipe from their community. It is Tex-Mex food at its finest!
While the original handwritten card has way more steps, this is what I found written on it: “No need to make individual chalupas. Serve over tortilla chips or our new favorite, Fritos, and let people top their own bowls.”
I never knew it was supposed to be close to traditional chalupas! ((Side Note: I’ve only had a U.S. Taco Bell chalupa! Ha!!))
This is not a traditional chalupa recipe. If you’d like to read What Is a Chalupa, do it! It sounds delish!
I have seen chalupa shells in the grocery store, and I’ve wanted to make one of the traditional Mexican recipes to see the difference.
How we make chalupa is pulled pork (either roasted in the oven or slow cooker, or you pick up pulled pork from your local BBQ joint!), pinto beans, green chiles, onions, and spices. The spices are cumin, chili powder, and oregano.
You can make this up to six months in advance. Just thaw it out and plop it into a slow cooker to reheat. ((I told you this party was easy!!)) We also reheat it on the stovetop. Whatever is easiest for you!
You’ll make your chalupa bowls by adding crispy chips to the bottom and topping with the pork mixture. You can also add cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, hot sauce, and guacamole.
This is why I love serving a big salsa board for the appetizers! Those can also be transferred to the toppings bar!
How to Host a Chalupa Party
Get ready, friends! You’re quickly going to learn why this party is so great. It’s economical, easy to host, and everything can be made ahead or bought!
This easy dinner party idea is the perfect way to get your guests involved and spread the cost of the dinner.
Since this pork and bean mixture is topped with taco toppings, ask your friends and family to bring a taco topping.
I have loved serving the chalupa out of these compostable bowls. They’re a fantastic size, and while I usually like to use real plates, this saves a lot of time after the party with cleanup!
Party Break:
One Week Ahead:
- Make your chalupa, freezing until 2 days before the party.
- Purchase the chips, salsas (if buying jarred), paper products, liquor, drinks, etc.
Two Days Ahead of Time:
- Thaw your chalupa in the fridge.
- Wash and prep your lettuce, onions, etc.
- Set your table (if you can)
- Corral all the serving pieces you’ll need and label them with sticky notes
Day Before:
- Prepare the Mexican Layer Dip
- Set up your serving stations
Day of the Party:
- Reheat the chalupa in a slow cooker
- Fill up the toppings bar
- Set up the salsa bar
- Set up a drink station
- Enjoy your party!
Recipes to Serve at a Chalupa Party
You’ll need to make the Quick and Easy Pulled Pork Chalupa. That post has instructions for making it in a slow cooker or with a bone-in pork loin roast.
I lay out Fritos and Tortilla Chips for the base of your bowls. But dear friends and I have experimented with Doritos (currently the clear winner) and pork rinds. Lay out different “crunchy” options and see what your people like the best!
I love serving this Mexican Layer Dip on the salsa board. Everyone loves it, too! It’s a classic. The layers of beans, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and cheese? Delish!
Boat Dip is another fantastic option for the salsa and toppings bar!
For the salsa bar, these are some options of what I layout:
Restaurant-Style White Queso
- Jarred Salsa
- Mexican Layer Dip
- A “fun” dip from the store. This Pineapple Jalapeno dip was from Sam’s Club and was a hit!
- Lots of “dippers.” These can also be used for your chalupa bar when the time comes!
- Storebought or homemade Guacamole is always nice, too!
Taco Toppings I Put Out for the Chalupa:
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Diced Onions
- Cheese
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Green Onions
- Fresh Jalapenos
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Salsa
- Hot Sauces
Sometimes, I add lime wedges if anyone wants to squeeze lime juice over their bowl. I use the limes for the margaritas!
When are you hosting your chalupa party??
