Easy Taco Salad Recipe
This Easy Taco Salad recipe combines seasoned ground beef with fresh lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, and a zesty dressing, making for a quick, flavorful meal that’s perfect as either a side or main course. Topped with tortilla strips, cheese, and customizable toppings like lime wedges and jalapeños, it offers a satisfying and vibrant Tex-Mex inspired dish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings as main course, 6 servings as side salad 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
For the Taco Meat:
- 1 lb lean ground beef, 90/10
- 3 Tbsp Taco Seasoning, or 1 packet*, plus 1/2 cup water
For the Taco Salad:
- 1 medium head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, or Pico de Gallo
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese blend, or to taste
- 1/2 cup tortilla strips or chips
- 1/2 cup sour cream, or Taco Salad Dressing*
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Toppings as desired: lime wedges, jalapenos, guacamole, salsa, olives
For the Taco Salad Dressing* (optional):
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains and fat is released. Spoon out excess fat. Add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water, and cook while stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes until well combined. Remove from heat and let cool to lightly warm or room temperature.
- Make the Dressing (optional): In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and garlic powder. Stir well to blend. Refrigerate to allow flavors to meld while preparing other components. The dressing can be stored refrigerated for up to one week.
- Prepare the Salad Base: Chop the iceberg lettuce and distribute it evenly into serving bowls. This recipe serves 6 as a side salad or 4 as a main dish.
- Assemble the Salad: Divide the cooked ground beef over the lettuce in each bowl. Top with sliced avocado, diced tomatoes or pico de gallo, Mexican cheese blend, and tortilla strips or chips.
- Garnish and Serve: Add desired toppings such as cilantro, sour cream or prepared taco salad dressing, lime wedges, jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, and olives. Serve immediately, squeezing lime wedges over the salad for extra zest.
Notes
- The nutrition label excludes optional tortilla taco salad shells.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure taco seasoning is certified gluten-free.
- Taco Salad Dressing is optional and enhances salad flavor, can be refrigerated for up to one week.
Keywords: taco salad, ground beef salad, easy taco recipe, Mexican salad, taco seasoning, dinner salad, quick taco meal
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/easy-taco-salad-recipe/