Taco salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover taco meat, and it can also be made with fresh ingredients. This article provides three different recipes for taco salad, each with its own unique flavor. The first recipe is a classic taco salad with ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream. The second recipe is a vegetarian taco salad with black beans, corn, avocado, and salsa. The third recipe is a grilled chicken taco salad with a creamy ranch dressing. All three recipes are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences.
This article also includes a recipe for homemade ranch dressing, which is a perfect complement to taco salad. The dressing is made with buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, herbs, and spices. It is creamy, tangy, and flavorful, and it adds a delicious touch to any taco salad.
Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a fun and festive party dish, taco salad is a great option. With its endless variations, there is sure to be a recipe that everyone will enjoy.
BEST TACO SALAD RECIPE
Taco Salad is a show-stopper dinner, if you do it right. Plus it's healthy! I'll show you all my tips (and the best ingredients) for Taco Salad, Done Right. Plus two taco salad dressing recipes to choose from!
Provided by Karen
Categories Salad
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 31
Steps:
- Start with the taco meat.** Brown 1 pound ground beef in a skillet on the stove, over medium heat. Break up the meat into small pieces. Once it is no longer pink (3-5 minutes), remove from heat. Tilt the pan and scoop the grease into a foil-lined bowl (then refrigerate and toss when solidified). Return the pan back to the stove and set over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup Premium McCormick's taco seasoning. (Or a regular taco packet will do. See notes for a homemade recipe.) Add 3/4 cup water to the pan. Let the mixture come to a simmer. Turn off the heat when there is still thickened liquid at the bottom of the pan. If you cook until all the liquid has evaporated, you will have dry taco meat; no thanks. Set aside and keep warm, covered.
- Prep the lettuce and herbs. Chop the romaine into bite size pieces and dry in a salad spinner (or dry off with paper towels). Add 1/2 cup chopped green onions and 1 bunch of chopped cilantro. Spin to mix, or add to a large bowl and toss together.
- Prep your toppings. Grate 1 and 1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Chop 1 and 1/2 cups tomatoes. Thinly slice 8 radishes. Dice half a red onion. Chop 2 avocados (or make a quick guacamole with them by adding a bit of lime and salt). Thaw out 1 cup of frozen corn (I usually stick it in the microwave for 20 seconds and then let it finish thawing on the counter). Slice 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers. Crush some Juanitas or Fritos, but leave some whole for garnishing.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.5 g, Calories 1186 kcal, Fat 94 g, SaturatedFat 33 g, Cholesterol 181 mg, Sodium 2193 mg, Carbohydrate 55 g, Fiber 17 g, Sugar 13 g, Protein 40 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 52 g
TACO RANCH SIDE SALAD
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 5m
Yield 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Add the ranch dressing and taco seasoning to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Pile the lettuce into individual bowls. Sprinkle over the cheese, diced tomato and taco chips. Drizzle over the dressing and serve.
COOL RANCH TACO SALAD
This is a yummy taco salad with a really great ranch flavor. Perfect for a light summer dinner and easy to double or triple to use as a crowd pleaser at summer BBQ's!
Provided by CycloneMommy
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Brown ground beef with onion until cooked.
- Add taco seasoning per directions on packet, let meat mixture cool.
- Combine lettuce, tomato, and cheese in large mixing/salad bowl, refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prior to serving, crush doritos and add to lettuce mixture.
- Add meat mixture, stir.
- Toss entire salad with ranch dressing until well blended, serve cold.
EMILY'S DRESSING FOR TACO SALAD
I'm not a fan of dry taco salad but couldn't ever find a dressing I was a fan of. So I threw together a few things, and voila! A delicious dressing that is worthy of taco salad.
Provided by Emily Johnson
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Salad Dressing Recipes Sour Cream Dressing Recipes
Time 5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Mix sour cream, ranch dressing, picante sauce, and chili powder in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 144.2 calories, Carbohydrate 3.5 g, Cholesterol 16.7 mg, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 342 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
Tips:
- Choose the Right Lettuce: Use a sturdy lettuce like romaine or iceberg that can hold up to the other ingredients and won't get soggy easily.
- Make Your Own Taco Seasoning: It's easy to make your own taco seasoning at home, and it's often healthier than store-bought alternatives. Plus, you can adjust the flavors to your liking.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients always taste better than processed or pre-packaged ones. If you can, try to use fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs in your taco salad.
- Don't Skimp on the Toppings: Toppings are what make taco salad so delicious and customizable. Don't be afraid to load up your salad with your favorite toppings, such as cheese, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
- Make it a Meal: Taco salad can be a complete meal on its own, or it can be served as a side dish. If you're serving it as a main course, be sure to add some protein, such as grilled chicken or beef, or black beans.
Conclusion:
Taco salad is a delicious, versatile, and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for any occasion. With its endless variations, there's a taco salad recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give taco salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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