Description
This Doritos Taco Salad is a quick and flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish combining seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, and crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, all tossed with Catalina or your favorite salad dressing. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, this salad offers a satisfying crunch and bold flavors in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
Salad Components
- 3 to 4 Romaine lettuce hearts (rinsed then chopped)
- 1 cup black beans (rinsed)
- 1 large tomato, chopped or sliced cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups nacho cheese Doritos (broken into bite-size pieces)
Dressing and Garnish
- 1 cup Catalina dressing or your favorite salad dressing (ranch works well too)
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to keep the salad from becoming greasy.
- Season the Meat: Add the taco seasoning packet along with the amount of water specified on the packet to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes to absorb flavors. Remove from heat and allow the beef to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, rinsed black beans, chopped or sliced tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add the slightly cooled seasoned ground beef and gently toss everything together to mix evenly.
- Chill or Serve Later: You can serve the salad immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. Important: Do not add the Doritos chips until just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- Add Chips and Dressing: When ready to serve, add the broken Doritos and drizzle the Catalina or your favorite salad dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat and mix well. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- For added freshness and flavor, consider adding diced avocados or sliced jalapeños.
- To keep the Doritos chips from getting soggy, always add them right before serving.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Feel free to swap Catalina dressing for ranch or any dressing of your preference.
- This salad is best enjoyed immediately after adding chips but can be prepared ahead by keeping components separate.
