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Easy Taco Salad Cups: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to a Fun and Flavorful Dish

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Say goodbye to boring salads and hello to these Easy Taco Salad Cups! Crunchy tortilla shells hold layers of flavorful taco meat, crisp veggies, and creamy toppings for the ultimate bite-sized delight. Perfect for beginners, this no-fail recipe makes taco night even more exciting.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cups

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up while you prepare the wonton wrappers.

Step 2: Prepare the Wonton Cups

Take a 12-cup muffin tin and carefully press one wonton wrapper into each cup, forming a small shell. Lightly spray the wonton wrappers with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.

Bake the wonton wrappers for 5 minutes until they are slightly golden. Remove them from the oven and set them aside.

Step 3: Cook the Meat

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a medium-sized sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add 1/3 cup of ground beef or turkey and break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning.

Once the meat is fully cooked (no pink remains), add 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning and stir well. Remove the pan from the heat and set the meat aside.

Step 4: Assemble the Taco Cups

Distribute the cooked meat evenly among the baked wonton cups. Sprinkle each with shredded cheese, letting the warmth of the meat slightly melt the cheese.

Next, add shredded lettuce, a small dollop of guacamole, and a spoonful of salsa. Finish with a touch of sour cream for a creamy contrast.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once assembled, serve the taco cups immediately while the wonton wrappers are still crisp.

Notes

Cooking Tips

  • How to Tell if the Meat is Cooked: Ground beef and turkey should be browned evenly with no pink spots. If you’re unsure, use a meat thermometer—beef should reach 160°F and turkey 165°F.
  • Preventing Soggy Wonton Wrappers: If you’re making these in advance, wait to add wet toppings (like salsa and sour cream) until right before serving.
  • Making the Wonton Cups Extra Crispy: If you prefer a crispier texture, bake the wonton wrappers for 7-8 minutes instead of 5 before adding the meat.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

  • If the wonton wrappers burn: Reduce the baking time slightly or lower the oven temperature by 10-15 degrees.
  • If the meat tastes too salty: Some taco seasonings contain a lot of sodium. If this happens, mix in a little extra ground meat to balance the flavor.
  • If the cheese doesn’t melt: Pop the assembled taco cups back into the oven for 1-2 minutes before adding cold toppings like lettuce and guacamole.
  • Author: Paula Susan
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes

Find it online: https://www.valerierecipes.com/easy-taco-salad-cups-a-beginner-friendly-guide-to-a-fun-and-flavorful-dish/