Description
Spicy Dorito Taco Salad brings Mexican-inspired flavors to life with crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and fresh vegetables. Layers of zesty ingredients create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Seasoning and Liquid:
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Vegetables and Salad Base:
- 6 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black beans (optional)
- 1/2 cup corn (optional)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
Cheese and Crunchy Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup Catalina or ranch dressing
Instructions
- Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned and crumbly.
- Eliminate excess grease by carefully draining the meat, then introduce taco seasoning and required liquid.
- Allow the seasoned meat mixture to simmer gently, stirring intermittently, until flavors meld and liquid reduces.
- Transfer meat to a cooling surface and let temperature decrease slightly.
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel with crisp, chopped lettuce as the foundational layer.
- Scatter vibrant cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, hearty black beans, sweet corn kernels, and sliced olives across the lettuce base.
- When ready to serve, introduce crunchy, broken Doritos and warm taco meat to the vegetable medley.
- Generously cascade Catalina or ranch dressing over the salad, then delicately fold ingredients to ensure uniform coating.
- Present the taco salad immediately while ingredients maintain optimal temperature and texture, guaranteeing a fresh, zesty experience.
Notes
- Swap lean ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein option that reduces saturated fat content while maintaining delicious taco flavor.
- Crush Doritos just before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy texture, ensuring each bite delivers a satisfying crisp.
- Prepare ingredients separately and assemble salad right before eating to keep vegetables fresh and chips crispy, preventing potential wilting or sogginess.
- Create a low-carb version by replacing Doritos with crushed pork rinds or keto-friendly tortilla chips, maintaining the signature crunchy element for those following specific dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg