Description
This Dorito Taco Salad is a flavorful and crunchy American main course perfect for quick lunches or casual dinners. Ground beef seasoned with taco spices is combined with fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, beans, cheese, and crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos for a satisfying blend of textures and tastes, finished with a zesty Catalina or French dressing. This recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and ideal for serving a small group, offering a crowd-pleasing, festive option that’s both filling and fun to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
Vegetables and Salad Base
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
Cheese and Chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed slightly
Dressing
- 3/4 cup Catalina or French dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is thoroughly browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to crumple the meat evenly. Once browned, drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning mix along with the recommended amount of water as indicated on the packet. Simmer the mixture for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat well. Remove the skillet from heat and allow the beef to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped iceberg lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, drained kidney or black beans, sliced black olives if using, and chopped red onion. Mix these ingredients gently to blend flavors.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled seasoned beef to the salad bowl and carefully toss all ingredients together to distribute the meat evenly without mashing the vegetables.
- Add Chips and Dressing: Just before serving, sprinkle the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos over the salad and pour the Catalina or French dressing on top. Toss the salad lightly to coat all ingredients uniformly, ensuring the chips maintain some crunch.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad right away to enjoy the contrasting textures and fresh flavors at their best, preventing the chips from becoming soggy.
Notes
- Consume the salad fresh to maintain the Doritos’ crunchiness, as they soften over time.
- Feel free to substitute ranch dressing or salsa for a different flavor profile according to your taste preferences.
- Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles are excellent alternatives to ground beef to modify the recipe for different dietary restrictions or preferences.
- To keep the recipe gluten-free, ensure the taco seasoning and Doritos are labeled gluten-free.
