Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes.
- Perfect for Parties: Easy to grab and eat with your hands.
- Customizable: Fill them with your favorite taco toppings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare components ahead and assemble when ready.
- Crispy and Delicious: Wonton wrappers create a crunchy base without frying.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 12 wonton wrappers
- Cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup ground beef or turkey
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup finely shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought guacamole
- 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought salsa
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the wonton wrappers in a 12-cup muffin pan and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake the wonton wrappers for 5 minutes, then remove from oven and set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-low heat.
- Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, mix well, and remove from heat.
- Divide the seasoned ground meat evenly among the wonton cups.
- Top each cup with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, a dollop of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
- Serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 taco salad cups
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Different Proteins: Use ground chicken, carnitas, or carne asada.
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute meat with seasoned black beans or lentils.
- Cheese Choices: Try queso fresco, cheddar, or pepper jack for different flavors.
- Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or spicy salsa to turn up the heat.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store meat and toppings separately. Assembled cups are best enjoyed fresh.
- Reheating: Reheat meat filling separately and reassemble fresh for best texture.
FAQs
Can I make these taco cups ahead of time?
Yes, bake the wonton cups and prepare the fillings in advance. Assemble just before serving.
Can I use phyllo dough instead of wonton wrappers?
Wonton wrappers are best for crispiness, but phyllo could work with slight adjustments.
How can I prevent the wonton cups from getting soggy?
Assemble the cups just before serving to keep them crisp.
What else can I fill these with?
Try beans, roasted veggies, shredded chicken, or even shrimp.
Are these taco salad cups gluten-free?
No, but you can look for gluten-free wonton wrappers if available.
Can I bake the wonton cups longer for extra crispiness?
Yes, bake for an extra 2-3 minutes if you prefer them even crispier.
What dipping sauces go well with these?
Salsa, queso, guacamole, and spicy ranch are great dipping options.
Can I use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of ground meat?
Absolutely, just season it lightly with taco seasoning.
How spicy are these?
They are mild as written, but you can adjust the spice level with toppings.
Can kids help make these?
Definitely! Kids will enjoy assembling and adding their favorite toppings.
Conclusion
Easy Taco Salad Cups are a fun and festive way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic taco salad in a crunchy, bite-sized form. Perfect for parties, game days, or casual family meals, these taco cups are endlessly customizable and always a hit. Make them once and they’ll become a new favorite!
Print
Easy Taco Salad Cups
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy Taco Salad Cups are a fun, bite-sized appetizer made with crispy baked wonton wrappers filled with seasoned meat, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Quick to make and perfect for parties or casual gatherings, these mini taco cups are delicious, customizable, and guaranteed to be a hit!
Ingredients
12 wonton wrappers
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup ground beef or turkey
2 teaspoons taco seasoning
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 cup finely shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
1/2 cup guacamole (homemade or store-bought)
1/2 cup salsa (homemade or store-bought)
1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Arrange wonton wrappers in a 12-cup muffin pan and spray lightly with cooking spray.
-
Bake for 5 minutes; remove from oven and set aside.
-
Heat vegetable oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-low heat.
-
Add ground meat and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through.
-
Stir in taco seasoning; mix well and remove from heat.
-
Divide seasoned meat evenly among baked wonton cups.
-
Top each with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
-
Serve immediately.
Notes
Prepare wonton cups and filling separately ahead of time; assemble just before serving.
Swap the meat with black beans for a vegetarian version.
Add jalapeños, spicy salsa, or hot sauce for a spicier version.
Bake the wonton cups a few extra minutes for extra crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican