Doritos Taco Salad is an absolute game-changer for anyone who craves big, bold flavors but doesn’t have time for complicated cooking. This salad brings together all the best parts of taco night—seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, melt-in-your-mouth cheese, and of course, those irresistible nacho cheese Doritos. Finished off with a tangy Catalina dressing, every bite is a burst of crunchy, cheesy, savory goodness. And the best part? It comes together in just 20 minutes, making it the ultimate quick dinner, crowd-pleasing potluck dish, or weeknight lifesaver.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- So Fast and Easy: From start to finish, you’re done in about 20 minutes. Seriously, you’ll spend longer scrolling for a show to watch than making this salad.
- Layered Flavors and Textures: Every bite delivers savory beef, cool lettuce, creamy cheese, zippy tang from the dressing, and that signature Dorito crunch.
- Total Crowd-Pleaser: There’s not a soul who can resist this combination—kids love it just as much as adults.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead and Parties: Simple to batch up for gatherings, and it stands out at the potluck table.
- Customizable: Swap ingredients, switch the cheese, or try a new dressing. It’s the taco salad that bends to your cravings.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need and why you should use each one:
- Lean Ground Beef: A great base that soaks up all that taco seasoning, bringing heartiness and protein to the salad.
- Reduced Sodium Taco Seasoning: All the bold, zesty flavor you expect—with less salt. If you’re feeling creative, blend your own spices!
- Iceberg Lettuce: The king of crunch. No other lettuce brings quite the same crisp bite or freshness.
- Tomato: Brings juicy brightness and balances all those savory flavors.
- Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese: You need that sharp edge to cut through the dressing and ground beef. The lower fat keeps things a bit lighter.
- Nacho Cheese Doritos: The magic ingredient. Salty, cheesy, zippy, and fun—they make this salad impossible to resist.
- Light Catalina or French Dressing: Adds a tangy, sweet-savory zip that ties it all together. Catalina is classic, but French works too.
Tip: Chop your lettuce into sturdy bite-size pieces so it stands up to the toppings and dressing without wilting!
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.
Variations
- Change the Protein: Swap out beef for ground turkey or grilled chicken. For a vegetarian twist, try black beans or a plant-based meat substitute.
- Try a Different Cheese: Pepper jack or Monterey Jack bring a little heat, or use a Mexican blend for extra cheesiness.
- Mix up the Chips: Cool Ranch Doritos totally change the salad’s vibe, or try tortilla strips for a lighter crunch.
- Switch Up the Dressing: Ranch or chipotle ranch add a creamy angle, while salsa-sour cream blends bring in a cool tang.
- Add More Veggies: Diced red onion, bell pepper, or sliced avocado layer in color and freshness.
How to Make Doritos Taco Salad
Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook your lean ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it up until it’s fully browned. Sprinkle on the taco seasoning and stir until every morsel is well coated and super flavorful. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Build Your Salad Base
In a large bowl, toss together your chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheese, and that perfectly seasoned ground beef. Don’t worry about perfection here—just make sure everything is roomy and easy to toss.
Step 3: Add Doritos and Dressing
Right before serving (so nothing gets soggy!), scatter in your Doritos pieces and pour over your Catalina or French dressing. Give the whole salad a gentle but thorough toss so every leaf, chip, and cheese strand gets coated.
Tip: Serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Hold the Chips and Dressing Until the Last Second: For maximum crunch, add these just before serving—no soggy salad allowed!
- Go Generous with the Cheese: Shred your own for best melt and flavor, but bagged works in a pinch.
- Chop Lettuce Just Before Serving: Freshly chopped lettuce is perky and crisp.
- Taste as You Toss: You control the dressing! Add a little, toss, and taste. More can always go in, but you can’t take it out.
How to Serve
Doritos Taco Salad is colorful and party-ready on its own, but here are a few ways to make it a complete meal:
- Top It Off: Add sliced green onions, a dollop of sour cream, avocado slices, or sliced jalapeños for extra personality.
- Sides: Warm up some black bean soup or serve with a scoop of Mexican rice.
- For Potlucks: Keep the beef warm in a slow cooker and set out chips, lettuce, and toppings so everyone can build their own salad.
- As a Main or a Side: It’s hearty enough for dinner but still shines alongside grilled corn or quesadillas.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store the salad (without Doritos or dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Fresh lettuce and tomatoes can lose their bite, so assemble only what you’ll eat.
Freezing
This one is better fresh—lettuce and chips don’t freeze well, but you can make and freeze the cooked seasoned beef for an easy meal starter.
Reheating
Simply reheat the cooked beef in a skillet or microwave until hot, then build your salad fresh. Don’t try to reheat the assembled salad—it’s best enjoyed cool and crunchy.
FAQs
-
Can I make Doritos Taco Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely—just keep the lettuce, beef, cheese, and tomatoes in the fridge, and add the chips and dressing right before serving. It’s great for prepping the night before a party!
-
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken both work beautifully and lighten up the dish. Just cook and season as you would the beef.
-
Will the salad get soggy if I store leftovers?
If you dress and add chips too soon, it will! Store chips and dressing separately, then toss fresh each time for the best crunch.
-
What dressing is best for Doritos Taco Salad?
Catalina is a classic choice because its sweet-tangy note matches the nacho cheese chips, but French or even Ranch work too—go with your favorite!
Final Thoughts
Doritos Taco Salad is the answer to every too-busy-to-cook night and potluck question mark. It’s so simple, so full of flavor, and just plain fun to eat. Break out a bag of Doritos, get creative with your toppings and dressing, and watch this dish disappear. Dive in—you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with boring salads. Enjoy every colorful, crunchy bite!
Print
Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 14 cups 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Doritos Taco Salad is a flavorful, crowd-pleasing main-course salad that combines seasoned lean ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, and a zesty light Catalina or French dressing. Perfect for gatherings and quick dinners, this healthier version delivers indulgent flavor with fewer calories.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
- 1 (1.25 oz) packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
- 1 medium-large head of iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium-large tomato, diced
- 4 oz 50% less fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (such as Cabot)
- 4 oz nacho cheese Doritos, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup light Catalina or French dressing (such as Kraft Lite Catalina)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until fully browned. Add the packet of taco seasoning to the beef and stir thoroughly until all the meat is well coated with the seasoning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and the seasoned ground beef. Toss these ingredients together until evenly distributed.
- Add Doritos and Dressing: Just before serving, add the broken-up nacho cheese Doritos to the salad bowl, followed by the light Catalina or French dressing. Toss the salad well to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing and distribute the Doritos throughout.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the crunch of the Doritos and the freshness of the salad. If possible, let guests add the dressing and Doritos to individual portions to prevent sogginess if the salad will be sitting out for a while.
Notes
- Add the Doritos and dressing just before serving to keep the chips crispy.
- Try ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to beef.
- Use your favorite reduced-fat cheese or salad dressing to suit your preferences.
- Customize with additional toppings like sliced olives, chopped onions, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers without Doritos or dressing to maintain freshness for later servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
