Best 10 How To Make Taco Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the tantalizing symphony of flavors presented by Taco Salad, a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly blends the vibrant essence of Mexican cuisine with the convenience of a quick and easy meal. This versatile dish caters to a myriad of dietary preferences, offering both traditional and vegetarian variations to suit every palate.

Embark on a culinary journey with our Traditional Taco Salad recipe, a harmonious blend of crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, crunchy tortilla chips, tangy salsa, velvety sour cream, and a symphony of shredded cheese. Customize your salad by adding your favorite toppings, such as diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, or a dollop of guacamole, creating a personalized flavor haven.

For those seeking a meatless alternative, our Vegetarian Taco Salad beckons with a vibrant array of fresh ingredients. Tender black beans, roasted sweet corn, and sautéed bell peppers unite to create a symphony of textures and flavors. A zesty dressing, crafted from tangy lime juice, fragrant cilantro, and a hint of cumin, elevates this salad to new heights of culinary excellence.

But the culinary adventure doesn't end there. Discover the secrets of our Layered Taco Salad, a visual masterpiece that enchants both the eyes and the palate. This architectural marvel features distinct layers of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, crisp lettuce, and a medley of toppings, all harmoniously arranged in a transparent serving bowl. Each spoonful unveils a new dimension of flavor, making this salad a feast for the senses.

For those with limited time, our Quick and Easy Taco Salad emerges as the culinary savior. This streamlined recipe utilizes pre-cooked ground beef and store-bought salsa, ensuring a speedy preparation without compromising on taste. In just a matter of minutes, you can relish a delectable taco salad that satisfies your cravings without sacrificing convenience.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, our collection of Taco Salad recipes promises an extraordinary culinary experience. Dive into the vibrant flavors and textures of this versatile dish, and let your taste buds embark on a joyous fiesta.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

TACO SALAD FOR A LARGE CROWD



Taco Salad for a Large Crowd image

I made this huge taco salad to bring to a party and people were scrambling to figure out who made it. Needless to say I only brought home an empty bowl and the guests went home with a full stomach! Everyone loves this taco salad recipe. -Lisa Homer, Avon, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 35m

Yield 26 servings (1-1/3 cups each).

Number Of Ingredients 13

1-1/2 pounds ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasoning, divided
1 medium head iceberg lettuce
1 package (10 ounces) nacho-flavored tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1-1/2 cups Thousand Island salad dressing
1-1/3 cups salsa
1/3 cup sugar

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef with 1 envelope plus 2 tablespoons taco seasoning until no longer pink; drain. , In a very large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, chips, tomatoes, beans, olives, cheese, onion, chilies and beef mixture., In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, salsa, sugar and remaining taco seasoning; pour over salad and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 696mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

TACO SALAD



Taco Salad image

This fresh-tasting salad is the perfect accompaniment to the zippy burritos. It's really quick to toss together.-Kathy Ybarra, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 to 1 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium tomato, chopped
4 cups nacho tortilla chips
1/2 cup Thousand Island salad dressing

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, layer the first five ingredients in order listed. Just before serving, add chips and salad dressing; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 405 calories, Fat 24g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 663mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

EASY GROUND BEEF TACO SALAD



Easy Ground Beef Taco Salad image

Every time I have to bring a dish to a party, friends ask for my taco salad. Even players on my son's football team ask for it. -Lori Buntrock, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound ground beef
1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
1 medium head iceberg lettuce, torn (about 8 cups)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups broken nacho-flavored tortilla chips
1/4 cup Catalina salad dressing

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-6 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly., In a large bowl, toss lettuce with cheese. Top with beef mixture and chips; drizzle with dressing and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 416 calories, Fat 27g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 86mg cholesterol, Sodium 830mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

MAKE-YOUR-OWN TACO SALAD



Make-Your-Own Taco Salad image

Enjoy this Mexican taco salad made with ground beef, beans and avocados - your flavorful hearty dinner!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 6h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 envelopes (1 1/4 ounces each) taco seasoning mix
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) pinto beans, drained
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper, if desired
12 cups shredded lettuce
4 cups corn chips
4 medium tomatoes, chopped (3 cups)
2 medium avocados, pitted, peeled and chopped
3 cups shredded American or Cheddar cheese (12 ounces)
1 1/2 cups salsa

Steps:

  • Cook beef and onion in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat about 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown; drain.
  • Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix beef mixture, taco seasoning mix, beans, tomato sauce and pepper in cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
  • To serve, place lettuce and corn chips on individual plates. Top each with beef mixture, tomatoes, avocados, cheese and salsa. Beef mixture will hold on low heat setting up to 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 505, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 12 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1240 mg

MEATLESS TACO SALAD



Meatless Taco Salad image

This colorful entree combines popular taco ingredients-minus the ground beef. And you won't miss the meat at all! I top each serving with a creamy guacamole dressing, crunchy corn chips and cheese. -Kimberly Dray, Pflugerville, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/3 cup guacamole
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon prepared Italian salad dressing
1 tablespoon chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
3 cups shredded lettuce
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1/2 cup crushed corn chips
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, beans and olives. Arrange lettuce mixture on 2 serving plates; top with guacamole mixture. Sprinkle with corn chips and cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 486 calories, Fat 33g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 849mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

TACO SALAD I



Taco Salad I image

Put a twist on the conventional taco salad with this quick and easy recipe for a delicious salad meal. And it's fun for the children to help make.

Provided by Denise Williamson

Categories     Salad     Taco Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (16 ounce) bottle French dressing
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 (14.5 ounce) package tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped tomatoes
4 tablespoons sour cream
½ cup prepared salsa

Steps:

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning, chili beans and French-style dressing. Fill the dressing bottle 2/3 full of water and add to the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Crush the bag of chips, open the bag, and toss the broken chips into a large bowl with the lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. When the meat mixture is done, combine it with the lettuce, tomatoes, chips and mix well. Then, add salsa and sour cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 846.4 calories, Carbohydrate 59.6 g, Cholesterol 70.2 mg, Fat 56.5 g, Fiber 6.6 g, Protein 26.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.4 g, Sodium 1579.6 mg, Sugar 14.2 g

EASY TACO SALAD



Easy Taco Salad image

This salad goes over well at any social function. (Teenagers just love it!) I usually double the recipe because it disappears so fast.-Faye Shaw, Medicine Hat, Alberta

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound ground beef
1 package (1-1/4 ounces) taco seasoning
1 medium head lettuce, shredded
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup bottled Catalina dressing
4 to 5 cups corn chips, crushed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a skillet, brown ground beef; drain well. Stir in taco seasoning. Combine beef, lettuce, tomatoes, dressing, corn chips and cheese in a large serving bowl; toss well to mix. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts :

SIMPLE TACO SALAD



Simple Taco Salad image

Taco salad comes together quickly when crisp lettuce is topped with seasoned ground beef and beans, cheese, tortilla chips and zesty tomatoes

Provided by Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings (1 salad each)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound ground round beef (85% lean)
1 can (16 oz each) beans in chili seasoned sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained, liquid reserved
6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups broken tortilla chips

Steps:

  • 1. Cook beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink, stirring occasionally; drain. Add chili beans, chili powder and reserved liquid from tomatoes. Cook 2 minutes or until hot; set aside.
  • 2. Divide lettuce between 4 serving plates. Spoon meat mixture evenly over lettuce. Top evenly with cheese, broken chips and drained tomatoes.

MAKE-YOUR-OWN-TACO-SALAD BAR



Make-Your-Own-Taco-Salad Bar image

Fill those little compartments on the Tupperware Serving Center with some or all of these ingredients. Diners make-their-own salad--and no one has to pick out the stuff they don't like! Great to take along on a picnic or tailgate party or potluck, too. See Recipe #217644 for directions in how to prepare the BEST-EVER (and easy) Taco Meat. Measurements given here are APPROXIMATE...make enough to comfortably fill the compartments on the Serving Center.

Provided by Debber

Categories     Greens

Time 30m

Yield 1 salad, 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) bag lettuce, bite size
1 (16 ounce) bag tortilla chips (plain or flavored)
2 cups sour cream
3 -6 green onions, sliced (tops included)
1 1/2 cups guacamole, sauce
1 cup black olives, sliced
1 -2 cup tomatoes, deseeded, diced
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups salsa, sauce (or picante)
2 -3 cups taco meat, seasoned

Steps:

  • Dump lettuce in a large serving bowl (or the lid of Tupperware Serving Center).
  • Dump chips in another serving bowl (or the lid of the Serving Center if you didn't put the lettuce in it).
  • Mix sour cream and green onion slices; place in center compartment of serving center.
  • Place each of remaining ingredients (except chips) into one compartment of the serving center--being artistic in your arrangement so the colors look "nice."
  • BRIGHT IDEA #1: Heat up a can of refried beans, slather some on a burrito skin, and use to wrap around a hard-taco shell, then fill shell with fav ingredients--it won't crack!
  • BRIGHT IDEA #2: Mix everything up in a bowl, drizzle with Western Salad Dressing, and call it Western Taco Salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 566.9, Fat 36.8, SaturatedFat 15.2, Cholesterol 55, Sodium 999.4, Carbohydrate 48.1, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 4, Protein 15.5

DORITOS® TACO SALAD



Doritos® Taco Salad image

I love this dish! It reminds me of potlucks and summertime. It's full of every texture--warm, cool, crisp, soft, crunchy. It has a touch of sweetness and tanginess from the dressing, and the lovely nacho cheese flavor from the chips, with the taco-seasoned meat. It all works together deliciously and is a quick and easy meal that's ready to go anytime.

Provided by Rebekah Rose Hills

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, finely diced
salt and ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup water
1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained
½ (12 ounce) bag nacho cheese-flavored corn chips (such as Doritos®), crushed
1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 ½ medium tomatoes, diced
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste
½ cup Catalina salad dressing, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat and saute ground beef, diced onion, salt, and pepper together until ground beef is browned and no longer pink and onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and taco seasoning to the meat. Stir to coat and allow to simmer for 1 minute to thicken. Set aside to cool while you prep the salad.
  • Add kidney beans, crushed chips, lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, and dressing to a large bowl. Top with meat mixture and toss gently to evenly combine. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 509 calories, Carbohydrate 39.7 g, Cholesterol 64.8 mg, Fat 28.9 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 24.6 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 833.1 mg, Sugar 8.4 g

Tips:

  • Use a variety of fresh, crisp vegetables for crunch and flavor.
  • Choose a flavorful ground beef, such as 80/20 ground chuck.
  • Season the ground beef well with a variety of spices, such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder.
  • Use a flavorful salsa, such as a medium or hot salsa.
  • Top the salad with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and Pico de Gallo.
  • Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

Taco salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover ground beef. With a variety of fresh vegetables, flavorful ground beef, and your favorite taco toppings, taco salad is a surefire crowd-pleaser. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give taco salad a try!

Related Topics