Can I make taco salad vegetarian?

Yes! You can substitute the ground beef with black beans, corn, or a plant-based meat alternative. Just ensure to use a good taco seasoning for flavor.

How do I keep Doritos crunchy in the salad?

Add Doritos just before serving to keep them crunchy. If they sit too long in the salad, they will become soggy.

Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely! Feel free to use any cheese you prefer, such as pepper jack, cojita, or even a vegan cheese option.

Is taco salad healthy?

Taco salad can be quite healthy, depending on your ingredients. You can control the portion sizes, use lean proteins, and load up on vegetables.

What can I do with leftovers?

Leftover ingredients can be stored separately in the fridge. You can use them to make a wrap, a taco, or another salad the next day!

Taco Salad

Name: Taco Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 package taco seasoning; 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 bell pepper, diced (any color); 1 small red onion, finely chopped; 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 bag (9.75 oz) Doritos (Nacho Cheese or your preferred flavor), lightly crushed; 1 cup salsa; 1 cup sour cream; Sliced black olives; Sliced jalapeños; Fresh cilantro, chopped

Description

Taco Salad is a vibrant and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, fresh veggies, crunchy Doritos, and creamy toppings like sour cream and salsa. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game-day gatherings, it delivers all the bold flavors of a taco in salad form.

Ingredients

Scale

Essential Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag (9.75 oz) Doritos (Nacho Cheese or your preferred flavor), lightly crushed
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream

Optional Garnishes:

Sliced black olives
Sliced jalapeños
Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside.
Prep the Veggies: While the beef cooks, chop the lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell pepper, and finely chop the onion.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, layer the chopped lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, seasoned ground beef, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Add the Crunch: Gently crush the Doritos and sprinkle them on top just before serving to keep them crispy.
Top It Off: Add dollops of sour cream and salsa. Garnish with olives, jalapeños, and cilantro if using.
Serve Immediately: Toss the salad if desired and serve right away to maintain the crunch of the chips.

Notes

To make this ahead, prep all ingredients separately and combine just before serving to avoid sogginess.
Substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Use ranch dressing or a mix of salsa and ranch for a zesty twist.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop, Assembly
Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 large bowl
Calories: 470
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: undefined
Trans Fat: undefined
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: taco salad, Doritos taco salad, ground beef salad, Tex-Mex salad, party salad, taco salad with chips