Easy Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
Introduction
Looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dish for your next gathering? This Easy Doritos Taco Salad is a perfect choice! It combines seasoned ground beef, crunchy Doritos, and fresh veggies for a fun and flavorful meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20 lean for best flavor)
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 16 fl oz Catalina dressing (e.g., Annie’s Organic Catalina Dressing)
- 1 bag nacho cheese tortilla chips (crushed just before serving)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
- Step 2: Return the skillet to the heat and stir in the taco seasoning along with the amount of water directed on the packet. Simmer until the seasoning is fully incorporated, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooled seasoned beef with chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, finely diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well to evenly distribute all ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Step 4: Just before serving, toss the salad with Catalina dressing until all ingredients are coated. Add crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos and mix gently to preserve some chip crunch. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute iceberg lettuce with romaine, mixed greens, or chopped cabbage for a different crunch.
- Swap Catalina dressing for French dressing, Thousand Island, or a ranch-taco sauce mix to change the flavor.
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option, or try black beans or plant-based meat for a vegetarian version.
- Change the cheese to Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for added spice.
- Try Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho Doritos instead of Nacho Cheese for variety.
- If dressing the salad in advance, add the chips just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Storage
Keep the cooked seasoned beef, chopped vegetables, and shredded cheese stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Prepare the beef and seasoning up to 2 days ahead, but add chips and dressing only right before serving to maintain crunch and freshness. Leftover dressed salad with chips should be eaten within a few hours as the chips will soften and lettuce will wilt.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
What type of ground beef is best for this taco salad?
An 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio ground beef is ideal for flavor and moisture without making the salad greasy. If you prefer leaner beef, 85/15 works but may yield slightly less flavor.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground beef with black beans or a plant-based ground meat alternative. Season and cook them similarly to keep the flavor profile.
PrintEasy Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
This Easy Doritos Taco Salad is a quick, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any casual gathering. Featuring seasoned ground beef, crunchy Nacho Cheese Doritos, crisp iceberg lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese, all tossed in flavorful Catalina dressing, this salad combines textures and tastes loved by both kids and adults. Ready in just about 30 minutes, it travels well and can be customized easily to suit dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
For Seasoning and Dressing:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 16 fl oz Catalina dressing (e.g., Annie’s Organic Catalina Dressing)
- 1 bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed just before serving
Instructions
- Cook the Hamburger: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until thoroughly browned, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks for even browning. Drain excess grease thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
- Season the Meat: Return the skillet with the drained beef to the heat. Add the taco seasoning packet along with the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet. Simmer until the seasoning is fully absorbed and the mixture is well combined. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooled, seasoned ground beef with shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, finely diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss everything well to distribute ingredients evenly. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Final Assembly and Serving: Just before serving, remove the salad bowl from the fridge. Pour the Catalina dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Finally, add the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos and gently mix to incorporate the chips without crushing them too finely. Serve immediately to enjoy the best crunch and freshness.
Notes
- Keep all components separate until serving to prevent soggy chips and wilted lettuce.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to avoid greasy salad.
- Break Doritos into bite-sized chunks rather than pulverizing for better texture.
- Start with half the dressing and add more if desired to avoid overpowering the salad.
- You can substitute romaine, mixed greens, or chopped cabbage for iceberg lettuce.
- The recipe is easily doubled for larger crowds or potlucks.
- Ground turkey or chicken can replace beef for a lighter version. Vegetarian versions can use black beans or plant-based meat substitutes.
- Store leftovers without chips and dressing separately, and add chips/dressing only when ready to eat.
Keywords: Doritos taco salad, taco salad recipe, ground beef salad, Catalina dressing salad, easy party salad, crunchy taco salad
