Appetizers & Snacks

Mini Tacos with Salsa Verde

Mini Tacos with Salsa Verde are a fun, flavorful twist on the classic taco — bite-sized, vibrant, and packed with authentic Mexican taste. These little tacos combine juicy, seasoned meat (or your favorite filling) wrapped in soft mini tortillas, topped with crisp veggies, and finished with a zesty homemade salsa verde (green tomatillo sauce).

They’re the perfect combination of tangy, spicy, and savory — everything you love about tacos, in a smaller, party-friendly form!

Whether you’re hosting a fiesta, preparing game-day snacks, or craving something unique for dinner, these mini tacos are guaranteed to be the star of the table.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it delivers all the bold, authentic flavors of Mexican street food in a fun, bite-sized format. Every mini taco bursts with freshness — tender meat, crunchy toppings, and tangy salsa verde that ties everything together beautifully. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile — you can use beef, chicken, fish, or even beans for a vegetarian version.

What makes these mini tacos extra special is the homemade salsa verde — it adds a refreshing tang that perfectly balances the savory filling. It’s one of those dishes that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make, and it always disappears fast at gatherings!

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Mini Tacos with Salsa Verde are a must-try because they bring big flavor in a small package. They’re:

  • Perfect for parties, appetizers, or family dinners.
  • Customizable — everyone can build their own with different toppings.
  • Easy to prepare yet visually stunning.
  • Packed with fresh, zesty, and spicy notes from the salsa verde.

They’re a true crowd-pleaser — kids love the size, adults love the flavor, and everyone loves going back for seconds!

Recipe Overview

  • Preparation Time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Servings: 6 (about 3–4 mini tacos per serving)
  • Calories: ~280 kcal per serving
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Course: Appetizer / Main Course / Snack

Ingredients

For the Mini Tacos:

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, chicken, or turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 12–15 mini corn or flour tortillas
  • ½ cup shredded lettuce
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or cotija cheese
  • ¼ cup sour cream or Mexican crema (optional)

For the Salsa Verde:

  • 6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • 2 jalapeño peppers (adjust to spice level)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt to taste

Simple Cooking Directions

  1. Prepare the salsa verde by blending roasted tomatillos, jalapeños, and seasonings until smooth.
  2. Cook the meat filling with onion, garlic, and spices until browned and flavorful.
  3. Warm the mini tortillas and assemble the tacos with meat, toppings, and salsa verde.
  4. Serve fresh with lime wedges and optional crema drizzle.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Make the Salsa Verde

  1. Place tomatillos and jalapeños in a small saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil.
  2. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened, then drain and cool slightly.
  3. Transfer to a blender with onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
  4. Blend until smooth and taste for seasoning. Set aside to chill.

Step 2: Prepare the Taco Filling

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic, followed by ground meat. Cook until browned.
  4. Season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes.
  5. Once cooked, remove from heat and keep warm.

Step 3: Warm the Mini Tortillas

  • Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  • Warm each mini tortilla for about 20–30 seconds per side until pliable.
  • You can also keep them wrapped in a damp towel to stay soft.

Step 4: Assemble the Mini Tacos

  • Place a spoonful of cooked filling onto each tortilla.
  • Top with lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and a drizzle of salsa verde.
  • Add a touch of sour cream or crema if desired.
  • Garnish with cilantro leaves or lime wedges.

How to Serve

Serve Mini Tacos with Salsa Verde immediately while warm. Arrange them on a platter for parties or serve in taco stands for an authentic touch. They pair wonderfully with Mexican rice, refried beans, or guacamole. A side of margaritas or agua fresca makes the meal complete!

Additional Recipe Tips

  • For extra flavor, roast tomatillos and jalapeños in the oven for 10 minutes before blending.
  • Use mini tortillas (4-inch size) for the perfect bite-sized tacos.
  • You can also make mini taco shells by baking tortillas on an upside-down muffin tin.
  • Double the salsa verde — it’s addictive and stores well!
  • If using store-bought salsa verde, add a squeeze of lime juice for freshness.

Variations

  • Vegetarian Mini Tacos: Replace meat with black beans, corn, and sautéed peppers.
  • Mini Fish Tacos: Use grilled white fish or shrimp for a lighter option.
  • Spicy Chipotle Version: Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for smoky heat.
  • Cheesy Beef Mini Tacos: Mix shredded cheese directly into the meat filling for an oozy bite.
  • Breakfast Mini Tacos: Use scrambled eggs, bacon, and avocado — topped with salsa verde, of course!

Freezing and Storage

  • Storage: Store leftover meat filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Salsa Verde: Can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Freezing Tacos: If assembled, freeze unbaked mini tacos on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Blender or food processor (for salsa verde)
  • Non-stick skillet or griddle
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Mixing bowls
  • Serving platter

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I make the salsa verde ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend.

2. What type of tortillas should I use?
Corn tortillas give an authentic flavor, but mini flour tortillas work great too.

3. Can I make these tacos vegetarian?
Absolutely — replace meat with beans, lentils, or grilled veggies.

4. Is salsa verde spicy?
It’s mildly spicy, but you can adjust by using fewer jalapeños or removing the seeds.

5. Can I serve these cold?
They taste best warm, but the salsa verde can be served chilled for a refreshing contrast.

Conclusion

These Mini Tacos with Salsa Verde are everything you want in a Mexican-inspired meal — flavorful, colorful, and fun to eat! The combination of juicy filling, tangy salsa, and warm tortillas creates a fiesta of flavor in every bite. Perfect for parties, family nights, or a creative dinner idea, they’re easy to make, deliciously satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

Mini Tacos with Salsa Verde

Recipe by Rhonda AndersonCourse: AppetizersCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Total time

45

minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Mini Tacos:

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, chicken, or turkey

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • ½ teaspoon cumin

  • ½ teaspoon paprika

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 12–15 mini corn or flour tortillas

  • ½ cup shredded lettuce

  • ½ cup diced tomatoes

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or cotija cheese

  • ¼ cup sour cream or Mexican crema (optional)

  • For the Salsa Verde:

  • 6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed

  • 2 jalapeño peppers (adjust to spice level)

  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped

  • 1 clove garlic

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Salt to taste

Directions

  • Step 1: Make the Salsa Verde : Place tomatillos and jalapeños in a small saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened, then drain and cool slightly. Transfer to a blender with onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth and taste for seasoning. Set aside to chill.
  • Step 2: Prepare the Taco Filling : Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add minced garlic, followed by ground meat. Cook until browned. Season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes. Once cooked, remove from heat and keep warm.
  • Step 3: Warm the Mini Tortillas : Heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium heat. Warm each mini tortilla for about 20–30 seconds per side until pliable. You can also keep them wrapped in a damp towel to stay soft.
  • Step 4: Assemble the Mini Tacos : Place a spoonful of cooked filling onto each tortilla. Top with lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and a drizzle of salsa verde. Add a touch of sour cream or crema if desired. Garnish with cilantro leaves or lime wedges.