This Doritos Taco Salad is a fun and tasty mix of crunchy Doritos, seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, and creamy dressing! It’s like a party in a bowl!
I love how colorful and easy this salad is to make. You can whip it up in no time, and everyone always wants seconds—good luck sharing! 🌮🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Nacho Cheese Doritos: This gives your salad a delicious crunch and cheesy flavor. If you’re looking for a healthier option, try using baked tortilla chips or even a different brand of nacho chips. A plain tortilla chip is a neutral option as well.
Ground Beef: Ground turkey can be a great, leaner alternative. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, consider using lentils or black beans as a protein substitute instead. Both options deliver great flavor and texture!
Taco Seasoning: A store-bought packet is convenient, but you can easily make your own with cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. This lets you adjust the spice level to your own taste.
Black Beans: If black beans aren’t your favorite, feel free to swap in pinto beans or kidney beans. Both will work well and add protein and fiber to your salad.
Cilantro: While I love the fresh flavor cilantro adds, some people don’t enjoy it. If that’s the case, chopped parsley or even green onions can be a nice alternative!
How to Brown Ground Beef Perfectly?
Browning ground beef needs a bit of attention to get the flavor just right. Here’s how to do it smoothly:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook without stirring too much during the first few minutes. This helps develop a nice brown color.
- Once it’s browned all over, drain any excess fat if there’s a lot.
- Adding salt once it’s browning helps to enhance its flavor.
Keep the heat steady and watch the meat carefully, so it doesn’t overcook or dry out. Once browned, it’s ready for seasoning!
How to Make Doritos Taco Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Salad:
- 1 bag (10-12 oz) of Nacho Cheese Doritos
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- Optional: Salsa for dressing
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 30 minutes to prepare this delicious salad. This includes 10 minutes for cooking the beef and about 20 minutes to assemble everything and get it ready to serve. It’s quick and perfect for a tasty meal!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Ground Beef:
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until it’s nicely browned, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to break it up with a spoon as it cooks. If there’s any excess fat, carefully drain it off once the meat is cooked.
2. Add Taco Seasoning:
Next, stir in the taco seasoning packet. Follow the instructions on the package, usually this means adding a bit of water and letting everything simmer together for a few minutes. Once done, remove the skillet from heat and let the meat mixture cool slightly.
3. Prepare the Salad Base:
Grab a large salad bowl and layer the chopped romaine lettuce at the bottom. This will be the fresh and crunchy base of your taco salad.
4. Layer the Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to build your salad! Start by adding the cooked ground beef mixture right on top of the romaine. Next, layer on the black beans, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced black olives, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro. Don’t be shy! Make it colorful!
5. Add the Crunch:
Just before serving, crush the Doritos into smaller pieces and sprinkle them generously over the top of the salad. This keeps them crunchy and adds a fun texture!
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Top your salad with a dollop of sour cream and, if you like, drizzle it with some salsa for extra flavor. Toss everything gently if you want to mix it all together, or leave it layered for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your delicious Doritos Taco Salad!
Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Ground Beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef. It’s a bit leaner and can help lighten up the dish. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly until it’s browned, just like you would with beef. You may want to adjust the seasoning slightly, as turkey can be milder in flavor.
How Can I Make This Salad Vegetarian?
To make this taco salad vegetarian, you can replace the ground beef with a can of drained and rinsed lentils or another bean variety like pinto or kidney beans. You can also add more veggies or your favorite meat alternative like crumbled tempeh or soy protein to maintain that hearty texture!
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep the Doritos crunchy, it’s best to store them separately and add them just before serving. If the salad starts to wilt, just give it a toss to refresh it!
Can I Prepare This Salad in Advance?
Yes! You can prepare the ground beef mixture, black beans, corn, and all veggies in advance. Just assemble everything together just before serving. Keep the Doritos and dressing separate until serving to ensure everything stays fresh and crunchy!
