Description
Mouthwatering easy taco salad combines fresh ingredients with zesty Mexican-inspired flavors. Crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, and tangy dressing create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- ½ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup corn (canned, frozen, or fresh)
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- Chopped cilantro
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup tortilla chips, lightly crushed
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Sizzle Beef: Heat a spacious skillet on medium, lightly coating with olive oil. Crumble ground beef into the pan, breaking down chunks with a wooden utensil until transforming from pink to caramel-brown.
- Season and Simmer: Tilt skillet to drain excess fat, then sprinkle taco seasoning across the beef. Add a splash of water to distribute spices, creating a vibrant coating. Gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces and beef absorbs the zesty seasoning completely.
- Rest and Prepare: Remove skillet from heat, allowing meat to rest and lock in southwestern-inspired flavors. Meanwhile, chop lettuce, dice tomatoes, slice green onions, and crush tortilla chips into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble Salad: Layer crisp lettuce as the base, generously top with the seasoned beef, sprinkle shredded cheese, scatter fresh tomatoes and green onions. Crown with crushed tortilla chips for a delightful crunch.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle with salsa or zesty ranch dressing, ensuring each component gets a flavorful coating. Serve immediately while beef remains warm and chips retain their satisfying crispness.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat and create a healthier taco salad without compromising flavor intensity.
- Seasoning Technique: Toast the taco seasoning briefly in the pan before adding water to enhance the spice’s depth and release more robust, aromatic compounds.
- Drain Fat Carefully: Use a slotted spoon or tilt the skillet at an angle to remove excess grease without losing the meat’s delicious browned bits.
- Dietary Adaptation: Easily transform this recipe for vegetarian diets by substituting ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for protein-rich alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg