Description
A zesty, crunchy taco salad that brings a fun twist to a Tex-Mex classic. This salad features seasoned ground beef, crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, hearty black beans, sweet corn, and a generous layer of crunchy Doritos, all tossed with a tangy salsa and sour cream dressing. Perfect as a filling lunch or dinner with a festive, satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
For the Seasoned Beef:
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
For the Salad Base:
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn (frozen or canned, drained)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Crunch & Toppings:
1 cup Doritos (Nacho Cheese flavor works great), roughly crumbled
1 avocado, diced (optional)
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Dressing & Garnish:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
-
Prepare the Beef:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water, and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
-
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Gently fold in the seasoned beef and, if using, the diced avocado and red onion.
-
Add the Crunch:
- Just before serving, sprinkle the crumbled Doritos over the salad for an extra layer of crunch.
- Optionally, add chopped cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor.
-
Dress & Serve:
- Drizzle the sour cream and salsa evenly over the salad. Toss lightly to combine all the flavors.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for an added zing.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, mix the sour cream and salsa to create a unified dressing before tossing with the salad.
- To keep the Doritos crunchy, add them just before serving.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the beef with extra black beans or crumbled tofu seasoned with taco spices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: ~450 kcal
- Sugar: ~8 g
- Sodium: ~750 mg
- Fat: ~25 g
- Saturated Fat: ~10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~15 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~30 g
- Fiber: ~7 g
- Protein: ~20 g
- Cholesterol: ~60 mg