Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Doritos Taco Salad combining seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, black beans, cheddar cheese, and crunchy nacho cheese Doritos chips, all tossed in your choice of salad dressing. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal with a delightful Tex-Mex twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- Water amount as called for on taco seasoning packet (approximately 2/3 cup)
Salad
- 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
Toppings and Dressing
- 1 ½ cups nacho cheese Doritos, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup Catalina dressing OR your favorite salad dressing (ranch dressing works well)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain the excess grease from the pan. Add the taco seasoning and the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet (about 2/3 cup). Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat and allow the meat 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 to the bowl. Gently toss all ingredients together to evenly distribute the beef and veggies. You can serve the salad immediately or refrigerate it until ready to eat, but do not add the Doritos chips yet to prevent sogginess.
- Add Chips and Dressing: When ready to serve, add the broken Doritos chips and your choice of salad dressing (such as Catalina or ranch) to the salad bowl. Toss gently to coat the salad evenly with the dressing and to combine the chips throughout. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve immediately to enjoy the crunch.
Notes
- Do not add the Doritos chips until just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- You can customize the salad dressing based on your preference; ranch is a popular alternative.
- For extra freshness, add chopped avocado or sliced jalapeños if desired.
- This salad can be prepared ahead but add chips and dressing at the time of serving.
- Leftovers should be stored without the chips and dressing to maintain texture.
