Big Game Mini Tacos (Printable)
Enjoy these bite-sized mini tacos, packed with vibrant flavors. Ideal for parties, game nights, or any friendly gathering.
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Taco Filling
01 - 12 ounces ground beef (or ground turkey)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 1/4 cup water
→ For the Mini Taco Shells
11 - 12 small (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas
12 - Olive oil cooking spray
→ Toppings
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
14 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
15 - 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1/4 cup sour cream
17 - 1/4 cup guacamole
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
19 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Using a 2.5-inch round cutter, carefully cut two mini circles from each tortilla, yielding 24 rounds. Lightly coat both sides of each tortilla round with olive oil cooking spray, then press them into the cups of a mini muffin tin to form small taco shells.
02 - Bake the prepared tortilla shells for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
03 - While the shells bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon. Introduce the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in the taco seasoning, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Incorporate the tomato paste and water, then continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
05 - Once the taco shells are cooled, fill each with a spoonful of the savory beef mixture. Generously top with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a small dollop of sour cream, and a dollop of guacamole. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
06 - Serve the mini tacos immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side for an added zest.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These little bites are an absolute crowd-pleaser; you'll be surprised how quickly they disappear at any get-together.
- They make entertaining feel so much more relaxed because most of the prep can be done ahead of time.
02 -
- I learned the hard way that if you overfill the muffin tins, the shells can lose their shape, so be gentle and don't cram them.
- Letting the shells cool completely before filling is a game-changer; it keeps them wonderfully crisp instead of soggy.
03 -
- If you're making a large batch, prep the shells and the meat filling a day ahead, storing them separately, then assemble just before serving.
- For perfectly uniform rounds, stack 2-3 tortillas and cut them all at once; it saves so much time!