Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe

The Best Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe for Flavor-Packed Snacking

Comfort meets creativity in these delightful taco biscuit cups that bring a zesty twist to your dinner table.

Packed with bold flavors and easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe turns ordinary biscuits into an extraordinary meal.

The golden, flaky cups cradle seasoned ground beef and melted cheese in a handheld delight.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crispy biscuit edges and savory taco filling.

Kids and adults alike will devour these tasty morsels faster than you can say “dinner’s ready.” Forget complicated dinner preparations and embrace this simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that promises to become a weeknight favorite.

Prepare to be amazed by how quickly these taco biscuit cups disappear from the plate.

FAQs

  • Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative to beef. Simply follow the same cooking method and seasoning instructions.

  • Do I need fresh cilantro or can I use dried?

Fresh cilantro provides more vibrant flavor, but dried cilantro works fine if that’s what you have on hand. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried cilantro.

  • What type of biscuits work best for this recipe?

Refrigerated canned buttermilk biscuits are perfect. Use the regular-sized biscuits, not the jumbo or mini versions, for the best cup shape.

  • Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prepare the meat mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the biscuit cups just before serving to maintain their crispy texture.

Taco Biscuit Cups: Why They’re Crowd-Pleasers

  • This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a quick and tasty solution.
  • Versatile biscuit cups allow endless topping variations, letting you add personal touches like sour cream, salsa, or additional herbs to suit everyone's taste preferences.
  • Handheld biscuit cups make mealtime fun and interactive, encouraging children to enjoy their food while providing a balanced combination of protein and carbohydrates.
  • Beginner-friendly recipe requires minimal cooking techniques, making it an excellent option for home cooks wanting to build confidence in the kitchen without complicated steps.

Biscuit Cup Ingredients for Taco Night

Main Ingredients:
  • Ground Beef: A protein-packed base that provides the savory taco filling for the biscuit cups.
  • Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Forms the crispy, golden cup that holds the taco mixture.
  • Shredded Cheese: Adds a melty, creamy topping that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Seasoning and Herbs:
  • Taco Seasoning: Delivers a classic Mexican-inspired spice blend that gives the meat its signature taco flavor.
  • Cilantro: An optional herb that brings a fresh, bright note to the meat mixture.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures the biscuit cups don't stick to the muffin tin.
  • Water: Helps dissolve and distribute the taco seasoning evenly through the meat.

Taco Cup Essentials: Tools & Pans

  • Muffin Tin: Essential for creating individual biscuit cups and baking them perfectly.
  • Large Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and mixing in taco seasoning.
  • Cooking Spray: Ensures biscuit cups don't stick to the muffin tin.
  • Spatula: Helps stir beef and transfer meat mixture into biscuit cups.
  • Measuring Spoon: Useful for adding taco seasoning and water accurately.
  • Cutting Board: Optional surface for preparing ingredients.

Making Taco Biscuit Cups at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F.

Give your muffin tin a quick spritz of nonstick spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Sizzle the Beef

Toss ground beef into a large skillet and cook it until it’s beautifully browned and fully cooked.

Make sure to drain away any extra grease for a cleaner dish.

Step 3: Spice Things Up

Ingredients:
  • Taco seasoning
  • Water
  • Cilantro (optional)

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and pour in water.

Let it simmer until the liquid vanishes into the meat.

If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chopped cilantro for an extra flavor kick.

Step 4: Shape the Biscuit Cups

Grab your biscuit dough and gently press each piece into the muffin tin.

Stretch and shape the dough up the sides, creating little edible cups that will cradle your tasty filling.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Fill each biscuit cup with the seasoned beef mixture.

Shower the tops with a generous layer of cheese.

Slide the muffin tin into the oven and bake until the cups turn a gorgeous golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.

Tips for Biscuit Cup Crunch & Flavor

  • Gently stretch and press refrigerated biscuit dough into muffin cups, ensuring even coverage and thin sides for crispy edges.
  • Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent soggy biscuit cups and reduce unnecessary fat content.
  • Sprinkle cheese during the last 3-4 minutes of baking to achieve perfectly melted, golden-brown cheese topping.
  • Swap biscuit dough with large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortilla cups for a lighter, gluten-free alternative.
  • Add diced jalapeños, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream after baking to enhance overall taste and texture.

Biscuit Taco Cups: Mix-In Inspiration

  • Gluten-Free Taco Biscuit Cups: Replace regular biscuits with gluten-free biscuit mix or almond flour-based dough for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground beef with black beans, lentils, or crumbled plant-based meat alternative for a meatless option.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Cups
  • Spicy Southwest Upgrade: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture for extra heat and flavor.

Plating and Serving Taco Biscuit Cups

  • Festive Party Poppers: Transform these taco biscuit cups into bite-sized appetizers perfect for game day or movie nights. Serve with mini salsa and sour cream dipping stations.
  • Taco Night Extravaganza: Create a build-your-own taco biscuit cup bar with additional toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced jalapeños, and chopped green onions.
  • Family-Style Fiesta Platter: Arrange the biscuit cups on a large platter, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve alongside Mexican-style rice or a crisp green salad for a complete meal that everyone will love.

Keeping Taco Biscuit Cups Fresh

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual taco biscuit cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
  • Warm individual cups on medium power for 30-45 seconds. Check temperature and add 10-15 seconds if needed. Avoid overheating to prevent tough biscuits.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Place cups on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through and cheese melts.
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Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe

Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe


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4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Delightful taco biscuit cups combine Mexican-inspired flavors with flaky biscuit bases for a quick weeknight dinner. Hearty filling and crispy edges make this recipe a crowd-pleasing favorite you’ll want to add to your regular meal rotation.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) refrigerated biscuits
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese

Seasoning and Liquid:

  • 1 ounce (28 grams) packet taco seasoning
  • 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water

Garnish:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and coat a muffin tin thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains.
  3. Drain excess fat from the skillet, then return meat to the pan and sprinkle with taco seasoning.
  4. Pour water into the skillet and simmer the seasoned meat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid completely absorbs.
  5. Gently fold chopped cilantro into the meat mixture for added freshness, if desired.
  6. Separate individual biscuits and carefully press each into the prepared muffin tin, stretching the dough to cover bottom and sides completely.
  7. Evenly distribute the seasoned beef mixture into each biscuit cup, ensuring a consistent portion in each.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over the meat-filled biscuit cups.
  9. Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until biscuit edges turn golden brown and crispy.
  10. Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before carefully removing taco biscuit cups from the tin.

Notes

  • Customize the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning to match your spice preference.
  • Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish.
  • Create make-ahead meals by preparing the meat mixture and biscuit cups separately, then assembling and baking just before serving to maintain crispness.
  • Enhance nutrition by adding finely chopped bell peppers or diced onions to the meat mixture for extra vegetables and flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 390
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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