Name: Taco Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 1/2 lbs lean ground beef; 2 tablespoons taco seasoning; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; Salt and pepper; 1/4 cup water; 3 romaine hearts (washed and chopped); 12 oz. tortilla chips; 8 oz Colby jack cheese (shredded); 1/2 red onion (halved and sliced); 3 medium tomatoes (diced); 1 1/2 cups chipotle ranch dressing; Optional toppings: diced avocado (cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, etc.)

All of your favorite taco flavors, in salad form! This Taco Salad is a taco lovers favorite, and it an easy weeknight meal. It’s also great to set out buffet style so everyone can top their salad with their own favorites!

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If you love taco-inspired recipes like we do, also check out this Taco Casserole, Taco Skillet, Taco Soup, or Taco Pie.

bowl filled with taco salad with lots of toppings

I love eating salads. But I always say – if I’m going to be eating a salad, it better be loaded up with all of the good stuff.

(Loaded like this Italian Chopped Salad!)

And this Taco Salad is definitely loaded up with all of the good stuff.

We do taco Tuesday quite often, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up. And this Taco Salad is a great way to do that. All of those same flavors, but served up in a big, beefy salad – taco style.

I like to serve this buffet style – everyone gets to make their own and add what they like. It’s the best way to avoid any complaining!

But for me? Give me all of the toppings!

Ingredients

Ground Beef: I like to use a lean ground beef so that I don’t have to drain it. I do have olive oil to get it started – I will sometimes skip this, though. You could also use ground turkey or ground chicken.
Taco Seasoning, Chili Powder, and Cumin: These are all for the flavoring! You can use a store bought taco seasoning or homemade. I add in extra chili powder and cumin, though, because I really like those flavors to pop in this salad.
Lettuce: I always go for romaine hearts for my salads because I like the crunch. But a good spring mix would work, or even iceberg!
Tortilla Chips: These really bring in the taco flavors, but can be skipped if you are wanting a healthier salad.
Cheese: I like to use colby jack, but pepper jack would be great. Or even just shredded cheddar.
Toppings: This is when you can get creative and use all of your favorite taco toppings! I like red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and lime. But you could also add black beans, corn, salsa, guacamole – really, anything you love here!
Dressing: I use my Chipotle Ranch Dressing for this salad. You get the great Tex-Mex flavors and a little bit of heat. Feel free to use another dressing, or no dressing at all!

Making taco ground beef for taco salads.

How to Make Taco Salad

This is so easy, and can be done in 30 minutes or less!

1: Start by cooking the ground beef in a large skillet. Once it is cooked through, add your spices, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

2: Pour in the water. Let this cook until it has thickened up slightly. This only takes about 5 minutes.

3: While the meat is cooking, prep all of your salad ingredients and toppings – chop the lettuce, grate the cheese, crush the chips, etc.

4: Then it’s time to assemble!

Adding lettuce, chips, and taco meat to a Taco Salad.

You can do this in any order that you like, but this is how I do it:

1: Lettuce
2: Crushed Tortilla Chips
3: Seasoned Ground Beef

Assembling a taco salad with cheese, tomatoes, and onions.

4: Cheese
5: Onions
6: Tomatoes
7: Salad Dressing
8: Any Extra Toppings

Tips and Tricks

Like it spicy? Add some hot sauce to the meat, or sprinkle it over the top of your salad.
The taco meat can be frozen, but the rest of the ingredients would need to be fresh.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. I like to store everything separate, then throw together a quick salad for lunch the next day with the leftovers.

Taco Salad topped with lots of toppings and tortilla chips

More Easy Mexican-Inspired Dinner Ideas

Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Taco Pizza
Southwest Chicken Salad
Green Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Burrito Recipe
Beef Tostadas
Chicken Chilaquiles

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