Description
A loaded taco salad with crunchy doritos topping is a hearty Tex-Mex style main course salad that marries hot seasoned taco meat with cool, crisp salad ingredients. Unlike standard garden salads that leave you feeling hungry an hour later, this satisfying recipe functions as a complete, nutrient-dense meal packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Taco Salad:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
- 6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned corn, drained
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup Doritos, lightly crushed
- ¼ cup sliced black olives, optional
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup salsa
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise, optional
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- Season: Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together sour cream, salsa, lime juice, taco seasoning, and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Build the salad: Add lettuce, tomatoes, corn, black beans, red onion, cheddar cheese, avocado, and olives to a large bowl.
- Add the beef: Spoon the warm or cooled seasoned beef over the salad.
- Add the crunch: Sprinkle the crushed Doritos over the top just before serving.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle with the taco dressing or serve it on the side. Toss gently and enjoy immediately.
Notes
For the best crunch, add the Doritos right before serving so they don’t become soggy. You can also use different Doritos flavors, add jalapeños for extra heat, or swap the beef for seasoned chicken or turkey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~450 kcal
Keywords: Doritos taco salad recipe, loaded Doritos taco salad, ground beef taco salad with chips