Best 7 Southwestern Taco Salad Recipe By Tasty Recipes

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Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with our tantalizing Taco Salad. This delectable dish combines a medley of fresh ingredients, zesty seasonings, and crunchy textures, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. From the crisp romaine lettuce base to the savory ground beef or tofu, and the tangy pico de gallo, each component of this salad is carefully chosen to create a harmonious balance. Topped with a dollop of creamy avocado, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of tangy dressing, this Taco Salad is a fiesta of flavors that will transport you to the heart of the Southwest.

In addition to the classic Taco Salad, this article also offers variations to cater to diverse preferences and dietary restrictions. For a vegetarian option, swap the ground beef for protein-packed black beans or lentils. Craving a spicier kick? Add a dash of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the dressing. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and opt for lean ground turkey or chicken. With so many customizable options, this Taco Salad is a versatile dish that can be tailored to suit every palate. So, gather your ingredients, let your creativity shine, and embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant Southwest with our delightful Taco Salad recipes.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

TORTILLA BOWL SOUTHWESTERN SALAD RECIPE BY TASTY



Tortilla Bowl Southwestern Salad Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: vegetable oil, large flour tortillas, romaine lettuce hearts, tomatoes, red onion, avocados, corn, black beans, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper

Provided by Gwenaelle Le Cochennec

Categories     Lunch

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 large flour tortillas
2 romaine lettuce hearts
2 tomatoes
½ red onion
2 avocados
1 cup corn, canned, rinsed and drained
1 cup black beans, canned, rinsed and drained
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
⅛ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Pour the vegetable oil (1 teaspoon per bowl) into medium (1.2 quart) oven-proof bowls and rub around to coat the surface. Press each tortilla into a greased bowl.
  • Bake for about 10 minutes, until golden brown. Let the tortilla bowls cool.
  • Make 3 cuts lengthwise on each of the romaine hearts, remove the stems, and chop into smaller pieces. Rinse, drain, and place in a large salad bowl.
  • Dice the tomatoes and add them to the bowl with the romaine.
  • Dice the onion and add it to the salad.
  • Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and dice. Add to the salad.
  • Add the corn and black beans.
  • In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
  • Fill each tortilla bowl with the salad.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 530 calories, Carbohydrate 54 grams, Fat 32 grams, Fiber 13 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 6 grams

SOUTHWESTERN CRISPY FISH TACO SALAD



Southwestern Crispy Fish Taco Salad image

Provided by Tregaye Fraser

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

3/4 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegan or regular mayonnaise
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo
Kosher salt
One 19-ounce bag frozen fish sticks, such as Gorton's
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup diced jicama
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
One 5-ounce container mixed spring greens
1 English cucumber, sliced
Shredded Mexican blend cheese, for topping
Sour cream, for topping
Sliced avocado, for topping
Tortilla strips or crumbled tortilla chips, for topping

Steps:

  • For the dressing: In a blender, add the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, mayo, cumin, honey, chipotle pepper and 1 teaspoon salt and blend until smooth.
  • For the salad: Cook the fish sticks according to the package directions.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the black beans, jicama, corn, cherry tomatoes and red onion with half the dressing. Add the romaine, mixed greens and cucumber to the bowl and toss to coat.
  • Divide the salad among 4 bowls. Top with the fish sticks, cheese, sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips. Serve with the remaining dressing on the side.

SOUTHWESTERN-FLAVORED GROUND BEEF OR TURKEY FOR TACOS & SALAD



Southwestern-Flavored Ground Beef or Turkey for Tacos & Salad image

With Southwestern-Flavored Ground Beef, you can simultaneously make tonight's dinner and tomorrow's lunch. Just save out and refrigerate some of the taco meat and fixings such as shredded cheese and lettuce, plus chopped scallions and tomatoes. A good-looking salad like this will draw potential lunch traders. More likely than not, they'll be out of luck.

Provided by Ben S.

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup cornmeal

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet until shimmering. Add onion; saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef or turkey and cook, stirring often, until it loses its raw color. Stir in tomatoes; simmer to blend flavors, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in cornmeal; cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens, almost instantly. Cool and refrigerate (or serve warm for dinner as tacos or taco salad).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 248 calories, Carbohydrate 7.9 g, Cholesterol 84.4 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 30.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 344.6 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

SOUTHWESTERN TACO SALAD



Southwestern Taco Salad image

I came across this recipe while spending a winter in Arizona. Now as soon as we return home each spring, our grandchildren are waiting for me to make these refreshing salads. To save time, bake the salad shells in the morning. Cool: store in an airtight container.-Betty Johnson, Olympia, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 packages (5.6 ounces each) refrigerated taco salad shells
3 bacon strips, diced
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 large onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin, optional
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
8 cups shredded lettuce
Toppings: chopped tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, olives

Steps:

  • Prepare taco salad shells according to package directions; set aside. , In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. In the drippings, cook beef, onions, garlic and seasonings over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Stir in tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in beans; heat through., Spoon about 1/3 cup meat mixture into each salad shell. Top with the lettuce and remaining meat mixture; sprinkle with bacon. Serve with toppings of your choice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 313 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 732mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

SOUTHWESTERN SALAD



Southwestern Salad image

My mother gave me this recipe several years ago, and we have prepared it often ever since. It can be a meal in itself...or serve it along with a Mexican meal. I often take it to potlucks and watch it disappear in no time!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 bunch green onions with tops, sliced
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
1 bottle (8 ounces) Catalina salad dressing, divided
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium head lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
4 cups corn chips

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, toss together the beans, green onions, tomato, avocado and half of the Catalina dressing. Top with cheese and then lettuce. Refrigerate. Just before serving, add corn chips to salad and toss. Serve with remaining dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 calories, Fat 23g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 543mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

SOUTHWEST TACO SALAD



Southwest Taco Salad image

Ranch dressing and fresh chopped cilantro lend Southwest flavors to this fast and tasty taco salad recipe.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 10m

Yield Makes 1 serving.

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 small grilled boneless skinless chicken breast (1/4 lb.), chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onions
1/4 cup ATHENOS Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Lite Ranch Dressing
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
12 tortilla chips

Steps:

  • Toss romaine with next 4 ingredients.
  • Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with cilantro.
  • Stand chips around edge of bowl.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540, Fat 23 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 130 mg, Sodium 970 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 47 g

SOUTHWESTERN TACO PASTA SALAD RECIPE - (4.5/5)



Southwestern Taco Pasta Salad Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by SemiDomesticatedMama

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 box penne pasta, cooked
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 carton grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup diced green pepper
1 jar (16oz) chunky salsa, medium
1 pkt taco seasoning
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Steps:

  • In large bowl, toss together pasta, beans, corn, tomatoes, 1 cup cheese, and green peppers. Sprinkle taco seasoning over top; mix well. Pour salsa over pasta and mix well. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese before serving.

Tips

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe ingredients.
  • If you don't have taco seasoning, you can make your own by combining chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt.
  • Be careful not to overcook the beef. Cook it until it is just browned.
  • If you want a vegetarian taco salad, you can use black beans or tofu instead of beef.
  • To make a vegan taco salad, use vegan cheese and sour cream.
  • Serve the taco salad with your favorite toppings, such as guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

Conclusion

Southwestern taco salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover taco meat. With its combination of fresh, flavorful ingredients, Southwestern taco salad is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.

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