Easy Taco Salad Cups are the perfect bite of tacos and salad for a healthier appetizer for game day, parties, and holidays.

Taco Salad Mini bites on a plate with text overlay for Pinterest

Now, don’t those look so good!? These tasted just like the larger taco salads at your favorite restaurant but healthier. These taco shells are made from corn tortillas, not flour, plus they’re baked, not fried. 

When thinking about game day eats, making something portable and easy to eat is important. Also, it must be easy to make because no one wants to be stuck in the kitchen missing all the game-day action!

A close-up of Taco Salad Mini bites with more in the background on a plate

Cook’s Note:

  • Warning: this recipe is spicy!
  • These are super customizable. Just fill them with your favorite toppings.
  • If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, substitute the meat for re-fried beans. When heating up the beans, add a Tablespoon of El Yucateco hot sauce to add big, bold flavors.
  • I used thick corn tortillas for my mini taco shells. If you use regular, thinner ones, chances are you won’t have to use the pie weights like I did to keep the tortillas from popping out of the pan.

How to Make Mini Taco Salad Cups

Taco Salad Mini Bites on a plate

A close-up of Taco Salad mini bites
5 from 4 votes

Taco Salad Mini Bites

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
24 mini bites
Taco Salad Mini Bites are the perfect bite of tacos and salad for a healthier appetizer for game day, parties, and holidays. 

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 6- inch corn tortillas
  • ½ Pound lean ground beef
  • 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning
  • ¾ Cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons El Yucateco Black Label Reserve hot sauce found exclusively at Walmart

Toppings:

  • ½ Cup Romaine lettuce chopped
  • 24 cilantro leaves
  • ¼ Cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons diced avocado
  • 24 black olive slices
  • 3 Tablespoons sour cream

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

To make the tortilla shells:

  • Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut 3 rounds out of each tortilla for a total of 24 rounds. Discard scraps. Place a tortilla round into the well of a mini muffin pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the tortilla shells are light golden brown on the edges. Place pan on a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes.

For the taco meat:

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain. Add the taco seasoning, water, and El Yucateco hot sauce. Bring the mixture up to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 5-8 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

To finish:

  • Fill the tortilla shells with the ground beef mixture & top with lettuce, cilantro leaves, shredded cheese, tomatoes, avocados, black olives, and sour cream. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1taco salad bite | Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 74mg | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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Rows of Taco Salad mini bites on a serving plate

Looking for another awesome Game Day Eat? Then check out one of my most popular posts: Chicken & Waffle Sliders

Chicken & Waffle Sliders

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14 Comments

  1. Frenchell says:

    These Look incredibly delicious!! This will be perfect to make for Sunday football watching at our house! Can’t wait to try it.

    1. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy this recipe! 🙂

  2. Thalia @ butter and brioche says:

    How cute are these little taco bites! I definitely think I could devour a couple right now.. they look great!

  3. ami@naivecookcooks says:

    Girl this is so brilliant!! My family loves mexican food so I am sure these will be a hit!

    1. Thanks, Ami. You’re so sweet, enjoy! 🙂

  4. gingerlemonandspice says:

    sooooo cuuuuuute!!! I want one, or two, or three…. PLEASE!! 😀

    1. They’re my new favorite game day snack!

  5. mommyhoodsdiary says:

    Looks amazing and they are a great idea for game day!! Thanks #client

  6. veenaazmanov says:

    I would love to try these for my parties. These look so cute and a very healthy way of enjoying a Salad.

  7. Would it be wrong if I made an entire meal out of your taco mini bites? Pretty sure I could mow through a whole bunch!

  8. Sarah Holt says:

    These are so cute! Such a great party appetizer

  9. Katherine says:

    These are just the cutest ever appetizers! Such a great idea.