Description
Zesty Dorito Taco Salad brings Mexican-inspired flavors dancing across your plate with crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, and fresh vegetables. Cool, creamy dressing ties these bold ingredients together for a quick meal that delights you with each colorful, crunchy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 15 ounces (425 grams) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Fresh Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
- 1 15 ounces (425 grams) can corn, drained
Seasonings, Cheese, and Dressing:
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Catalina dressing (or ranch dressing)
- 1 9.75 ounces (276 grams) bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, lightly crushed
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef, systematically breaking it into smaller pieces while cooking.
- Drain accumulated fat from the meat, then integrate taco seasoning and allow it to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until flavors meld together.
- Transfer seasoned beef to a cooling surface and let it rest momentarily to prevent wilting delicate salad ingredients.
- Select a spacious mixing vessel and combine crisp romaine lettuce, vibrant cherry tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, protein-rich black beans, sweet golden corn kernels, and zesty red onion pieces.
- Gently incorporate the slightly cooled seasoned ground beef into the vegetable medley, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Drizzle Catalina or ranch dressing across the salad, carefully tossing to achieve uniform coating without saturating the components.
- Immediately prior to serving, introduce roughly crushed Doritos, providing a dynamic textural contrast and signature crunch.
- Elevate the presentation by artfully garnishing with creamy diced avocado and aromatic fresh cilantro leaves.
- Serve promptly to maintain optimal temperature and textural integrity of the salad components.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by selecting mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning based on personal preference.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the salad.
- Crush Doritos right before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy chips.
- Prepare components separately and store in airtight containers to create a make-ahead friendly meal that stays fresh for 1-2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg