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!

Doritos Taco Salad Recipe

Name: Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
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)

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

Units Scale

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)

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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