I’m a fan of anything Mexican food, we eat plenty of white queso dip and burrito bowls in my house! This hearty taco salad is a family favorite, it’s colorful, fresh and super easy to make.
We eat a LOT of Mexican food around here – it’s typically quick to make and easy to customize to the kids’ taste. We kind of got into a burrito rut and I was trying to think of something to change it up a bit which is how I came up with this taco salad. This salad is absolutely loaded with toppings, and everyone can mix and match the ingredients which makes this recipe perfect for picky eaters. This is one of my favorite hearty salads. If you want more hearty salads you should try my antipasto salad, panzanella salad or Mexican Caesar salad. There are plenty of salad options for every meal!
How do you make taco salad?
This recipe starts with ground beef which is browned in a pan and coated in taco seasoning. The ground beef goes into a bowl of lettuce along with tomatoes, avocado, corn, beans, cheese and tortilla strips. Everything gets tossed together in a tangy dressing, then you’re ready to eat.
Tips for taco salad
I use pre-made crispy tortilla strips in this recipe, which are sold in most grocery stores near the croutons. If you can’t find them, feel free to use crumbled up tortilla chips instead. I use 90% lean ground beef for this salad, it’s got plenty of flavor without all the grease. You can use fresh, frozen or canned corn, they all work great. I like to dice all my ingredients to about 1/2 inch size pieces, it makes the salad easier to eat.
What kind of dressing do you put on taco salad?
This particular recipe calls for catalina dressing, which is a sweet and tangy tomato based dressing. If you’re not a fan of catalina dressing, I recommend using classic ranch dressing instead. You can also mix your salad with red or green salsa as a dressing to save a few calories.
Taco salad variations
There are so many different ways to customize your taco salad to your preferences.
Protein: Use ground turkey or grilled chicken breast instead of beef. Cheese: Use pepper jack or a Mexican 4 cheese blend instead of cheddar. Avocado: Omit the diced avocado and instead add a scoop of guacamole on top. Lettuce: Try iceberg lettuce, butter lettuce or shredded cabbage instead of romaine. Beans: Use pinto beans, or add a layer of refried beans at the bottom of your salad bowl.
I love to set up a taco salad bar at parties. Simply put out bowls of chopped lettuce, meat and all the toppings, and let your guests assemble their own creations. Add a few choices of salad dressing at the end of the buffet and you’ve got a simple yet satisfying meal to feed a crowd!
More Mexican food recipes
Chicken Taquitos Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa Carne Asada Tacos Chile Relleno Casserole Mexican Chicken Casserole
