Description
This Doritos Taco Salad is a quick and flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish combining seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, black beans, cheesy crunch from Doritos, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a tasty weeknight dinner or casual gathering, it comes together in just 20 minutes and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
Salad Base
- 3 to 4 Romaine lettuce hearts, rinsed and chopped
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed
- 1 large tomato, chopped or 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Crunch and Dressing
- 1 ½ cups nacho cheese Doritos, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup Catalina dressing or your favorite salad dressing (ranch recommended)
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Brown and crumble the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and the amount of water called for on the seasoning packet. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the meat cool slightly.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, rinsed black beans, chopped tomato, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add the slightly cooled seasoned ground beef and gently toss everything to evenly combine. At this stage, you can cover and chill the salad until you’re ready to serve, but do not add the chips yet to keep them crunchy.
- Add Chips and Dressing to Serve: Just before serving, add the broken Doritos chips to the salad bowl along with the Catalina dressing (or your preferred dressing). Toss gently to coat the salad evenly. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the crispy, flavorful taco salad experience!
Notes
- Do not add the Doritos chips until right before serving to prevent sogginess.
- If you prefer, ranch dressing can be substituted for Catalina dressing for a different flavor profile.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked seasoned lentils or meatless crumbles.
- Feel free to add extra toppings like sliced jalapeños, avocado, or olives for added texture and flavor.
- Rinsing canned black beans helps reduce sodium and improves flavor.
