Description
A vibrant and crunchy Doritos Taco Salad combining seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, black beans, and a zesty dressing topped with crunchy nacho cheese Doritos for a flavorful and satisfying meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
Salad
- 3 to 4 Romaine lettuce hearts, rinsed and chopped
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed
- 1 large tomato, chopped or 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings and Dressing
- 1 ½ cups nacho cheese Doritos, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup Catalina dressing or preferred salad dressing (ranch recommended as alternative)
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Brown and crumble the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease to keep the salad from becoming greasy. Add the taco seasoning along with the amount of water indicated on the seasoning packet. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat and let the meat cool slightly to avoid wilting the salad greens.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, rinsed black beans, chopped tomato, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add the slightly cooled seasoned ground beef. Gently toss all ingredients together to evenly distribute the toppings, creating a well-mixed base for your taco salad. You can serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Do not add the Doritos chips yet to maintain their crispness.
- Add Chips and Dressing Before Serving: Just before serving, add the broken-up nacho cheese Doritos chips to the salad. Pour the Catalina dressing (or your choice of dressing) over the salad. Toss the salad gently to coat all ingredients with the dressing and to distribute the Doritos evenly. Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Do not add Doritos until just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- If preferred, use ranch dressing as an alternative to Catalina dressing.
- Fresh cilantro adds a nice herbal flavor but is optional.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with seasoned tofu or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Rinsing canned black beans reduces excess sodium.
