This Taco Salad is a fiesta in a bowl! It’s a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and all your favorite taco toppings. This salad is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, a fun lunch, or a crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks and gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Satisfying: This salad is packed with the bold flavors of tacos, making it a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and minimal cooking, this salad comes together in just 20 minutes.
- Versatile: You can customize this salad with your favorite taco toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or shredded cheese.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious salad:
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- Avocado oil: Or any oil of your choice, for browning the ground beef.
- Taco seasoning: Store-bought or homemade, this adds a blend of spices for that classic taco flavor.
- Romaine lettuce: Chopped, for a crisp and refreshing base.
- Grape tomatoes: Halved, for juicy sweetness.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded, adds a cheesy flavor and texture.
- Avocado: Cubed, for creaminess and healthy fats.
- Green onions: Chopped, adds a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Salsa: Adds a zesty kick and freshness.
- Sour cream: Adds a creamy and tangy element.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Taco Salad
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
Heat the avocado oil (or your preferred oil) in a skillet over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and the moisture has evaporated.
Step 2: Season the Beef
Stir in the taco seasoning until well combined. If desired, you can add ¼ cup of water to the skillet and simmer for a bit to create a saucier filling.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
While the beef is cooking, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed avocado, and chopped green onions in a large bowl. Add the cooked ground beef to the bowl and toss everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the taco salad immediately with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use a large bowl: Make sure your bowl is large enough to comfortably toss all the ingredients together.
- Customize the toppings: Feel free to add other toppings, such as black olives, shredded lettuce, or a squeeze of lime juice.
- Make it a meal prep option: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving.
How to Serve Taco Salad
- Quick and Easy Meal: This Taco Salad is a perfect quick and easy meal for busy weeknights.
- Lunchbox Friendly: Pack it in a container for a delicious and satisfying lunch.
- Party Food: Serve it as a crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks or gatherings.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the ground beef and add black beans, lentils, or a plant-based meat substitute.
Can I use a different type of lettuce?
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite lettuce, such as iceberg lettuce, spinach, or a spring mix.
How can I make this salad spicier?
Use a hotter taco seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the ground beef while cooking.
There you have it! A delicious and easy-to-make recipe for Taco Salad that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
Print
Taco Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
This Taco Salad is a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual lunch. It’s loaded with fresh ingredients, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy dressing, making it a satisfying and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil (or any oil of choice)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 ounces romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 1/3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium avocado, cubed
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 1/3 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Brown and Season Beef: Heat avocado oil in a skillet over high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, for 7-10 minutes, until browned and moisture has evaporated. Stir in taco seasoning until well combined. (Optional: Add ¼ cup water and simmer to create a saucier filling.)
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed avocado, and chopped green onions.
- Assemble Salad: Add the seasoned ground beef to the bowl with the vegetables and cheese. Toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve: Drizzle with salsa and sour cream, or serve them on the side for individual portions.
Notes
- You can use any type of ground meat you prefer, such as ground turkey or chicken.
- If you don’t have avocado oil, you can use any other oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil or canola oil.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorites, such as black olives, shredded lettuce, or a dollop of guacamole.
- For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
