Description
Homemade crunchy taco salad delight merges zesty Mexican flavors with fresh ingredients. Crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, and crunchy tortilla strips create a delicious meal for weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 tbsps taco seasoning
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup corn (canned or from fresh/frozen)
- 1 cup diced onion (any color)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced green onion
- 1 small avocado (diced before serving)
- 2 cups Doritos
- Grated cheddar cheese (optional) to taste
- ¼–½ cup sour cream for topping
- ¼ cup salsa
- Optional: black beans
- Optional: pinto beans
- Optional: extra salsa or taco sauce
- Optional: guacamole
- Optional: jalapeños
- Optional: bell pepper
- Optional: black olives
- Optional: cilantro
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly breaking down the meat until completely cooked. Eliminate excess grease, then incorporate taco seasoning and salsa, simmering until the sauce clings perfectly to the meat.
- Vegetable Composition: Chop romaine lettuce into delicate fragments, dice tomatoes, and slice green and white onions. Integrate whole kernel corn and crushed Doritos into the fresh vegetable ensemble, creating a vibrant and textural base.
- Layering and Assembly: Carefully combine the seasoned meat with the vegetable mixture, ensuring each ingredient is evenly distributed. Transfer the dynamic salad into individual serving vessels, allowing the ingredients to intermingle harmoniously.
- Finishing Touches: Crown the salad with a generous cascade of shredded cheddar cheese. Artfully garnish with creamy avocado cubes and a luxurious dollop of sour cream. For adventurous palates, introduce an extra drizzle of zesty salsa or taco sauce to elevate the flavor profile.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent a greasy salad and ensure a lighter, healthier dish.
- Customize Protein Choice: Ground turkey offers a leaner alternative to beef without compromising on robust taco flavors.
- Layer Textures Strategically: Crush Doritos just before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
- Balance Seasoning Carefully: Adjust taco seasoning and salsa quantities to control spice level and overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg