Mini Taco Salad Cups are easy appetizers made with baked wonton wrappers filled with lettuce, leftover taco meat and your favorite toppings. These individual taco cups are perfect for parties, game day or as a quick dinner for the family. Prep them ahead of time, and they come together fast!
I love taco salads, but I haven't had one in ages. For one thing, this salad is huge, and I can never finish the entire thing on my own. And, as much as I enjoy eating greens, my favorite part of this particular salad is the deep fried crunchy tortilla shell. Yep -- I'm bad. I admit it.
So, that's why I avoid eating them. But, I still like them! I thought it would be fun to try making mini taco salads, using wonton wrappers as the shell. It's practically time for Cinco de Mayo, and I feel like I'm seeing Mexican food everywhere I look. Plus, I love to use wonton wrappers any way that I can.
I use them to make mini pepperoni pizza dip wonton cups, avocado dip wonton cups, jalapeño popper cups and pollo fundido cups. My family and I enjoy having these finger foods for dinner every now and then. And all of these wonton cup appetizers are perfect mini foods for parties and game day!
How to Make Mini Taco Salad Cups
Usually, I place the wrappers in a muffin tin and add the filling before baking them. But for the mini taco salads, I baked the wrappers first. Lightly grease a muffin tin before adding the wrappers.
I use 2 wonton wrappers in each muffin cup. This makes them a little thicker and prevents the bottoms from getting soggy.
Next, bake the wonton wrappers for about 10 minutes or until they're golden brown. They come out crispy and slightly crunchy -- just like the real deal. Well, maybe not just like a fried tortilla, but they are definitely close.
Let the cups cool down a little bit before filling them. This part is easy to do ahead of time. You can fill them right before you need them so that the salad will be fresh!
And making the mini salads is a breeze. I make taco meat in the Instant Pot, and we always have leftover taco meat, so that's what I use. Be sure to warm it up before using, though.
If you're making these taco cups for a party or starting from scratch, you need to cook the beef first. Season it with homemade taco seasoning or your favorite brand of taco seasoning.
To assemble the taco cups, just add some chopped iceberg lettuce or green lettuce to each wonton cup. Then, add a spoonful or 2 of seasoned ground beef.
Next, add your favorite taco salad toppings. On a regular taco salad, you can pile on as many toppings as you want. But since these mini salads are smaller, I kept it pretty simple. I used Mexican blend cheese, sour cream, guacamole and diced tomatoes.
You can add salsa, pico de gallo, or diced avocado. Sliced or diced jalapeño peppers would be perfect if you like added heat. If you don't want to use ground beef, you can use ground turkey, shredded salsa chicken or skip the meat and use black beans.
Mini Taco Salad Cups
Ingredients
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 2 cups chopped ice berg lettuce or shredded lettuce
- 2 cups cooked taco meat
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar
- favorite taco toppings
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Grease a 12-cup muffin tin, and add two wrappers to each cup
- Bake for 10 minutes or until brown and slightly crispy
- Fill cooled wrappers with lettuce, beef, sour cream and any additional toppings
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
These mini taco salad cups were a big hit with the family. They were slightly messy, but they were a lot of fun to eat. And, the kids said that they enjoyed them more than tacos. Score another win for mom!
If you're hosting a party, these mini taco salad cups would make tasty appetizers. Or, you can just enjoy them for a quick and easy dinner like we did.
Recipe originally published in 2016 and updated in 2021
Veronica says
These mini taco salad cups were the top appetizers at my sister's surprise birthday party, every one was going back for a second or third serving, the recipe is absolutely divine!
Robin Hamilton @Wellness Wires says
I prefer healthy food! And I’ll definitely try these mini taco salad cups. My husband would love it! Thanks and kudos for this awesome recipe.
Dee says
It's such a fun appetizer. Thanks, Robin! 🙂
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy says
Absolutely love your creative idea with mini taco salad cups! Never seen something like this! Definitely, I will try to make it too! Thx, Dee for sharing!
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
These mini taco salad cups looks amazing! I'm also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it. Thanks for sharing! I used your suggestion and used 2 cups cooked seasoned ground beef.
Dee says
Hi Jill! I'm glad you liked them!
Stella says
The best thing about your recipe is the wonton cups and I have tried 2 times already but still can't figure out the best way. The shape just don't come out and they just look flat. I eventually had to carve cups out of Tortilla flats (that I made using my Rotimatic) and it was okay. But, I'd still like to do it exactly how you do it. any tips?
Dee says
Hi Stella. Here's another recipe using wonton cups, and it has a video that shows how I form them in the pan. This one bakes with the filling, but the idea is the same. Hope this helps. 🙂
Rose Atwater says
These are so cute and look super easy to make! Perfect for a quick dinner night when you still want to impress! Thanks for linking up with Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!
Dee says
Thanks so much for stopping by and for hosting! 🙂
Miz Helen says
We will love your Taco Salad Cups! Thanks so much for sharing them with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Anita says
This looks yummy!
Dee says
Thanks! We'll definitely be having them again soon. 🙂
Cathy Trochelman says
These are genius! What a perfect little appetizer cup or meal!
Dee says
Thanks, Cathy. The kids actually liked them more than regular tacos! 🙂
Michelle | A Latte Food says
Such a fun idea! Taco salad is a staple around here and this play on it is so fun!
Dee says
Thanks, Michelle! I love to have fun with food as much as the kids do. 🙂
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
These will surely disappear fast in our house! Awesome!
Dee says
Thanks, Andi. My family ate them right up!
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
Mini food means I always go back for seconds. I see thirds and fourths of this in my future!!
Dee says
I'm with you there. I love mini food! 🙂
Katerina @ Diethood says
These are my kind of TACOS… can I come over for dinner? 😉
Dee says
Thanks, Katerina. There's always room for one more here! 🙂
Stephanie, Somewhat Simple says
These look amazing! Spanish food is my love language! Thanks for linking up to Link Party Palooza!
Dee says
I completely agree! Thanks so much for stopping by, Stephanie. 🙂