Zesty Dorito Taco Crunch Salad 🌮
A vibrant and satisfying taco salad featuring savory seasoned ground beef, a medley of fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and the irresistible crunch of Nacho Doritos, all tossed in a tangy Catalina dressing. Perfect for an easy and flavorful meal!
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Very Large Bowl
Ingredients
Taco Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 0.5 yellow onion chopped
- 0.25 cup taco seasoning low-sodium preferred
- 0.75 cup water
- 2 tsp olive oil
Salad Base & Toppings
- 3 romaine hearts chopped (~8 cups), for a fresh, crisp base
- 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed, for added fiber (15-ounce)
- 0.75 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican blend)
- 1 cup fire-roasted corn (canned or frozen), for a smoky-sweet touch
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved, for bursts of freshness
- 0.5 cup sliced black olives drained
- 1 ripe avocado diced, for creamy goodness
- 1.5 cups Nacho Doritos lightly crushed (~3 ounces), for that irresistible crunch
- 0.75 cup Catalina dressing (or a light vinaigrette for a healthier option)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it's softened and translucent.
- Brown Beef: Push the cooked onions to the sides of the pan. Add the lean ground beef to the center and let it sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring, then flip and sear for another 2 minutes. Break the meat apart with a spoon and continue to brown, ensuring no pink remains. Drain any excess grease thoroughly for a healthier dish.
- Simmer Flavor: Return the browned beef and onions to the skillet. Stir in the water and taco seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes until the meat is tender and has absorbed the flavors. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble Salad Base: In a very large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, drained kidney beans, shredded cheese, corn, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
- Final Mix & Serve: Just before serving, add the slightly cooled seasoned beef, diced avocado, lightly crushed Doritos, and Catalina dressing to the bowl. Toss everything gently until all ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to adjust the amount of Doritos or dressing to your preference. For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Total Carbs: 47g
- Net Carbs: 36g (47g Total Carbs - 11g Fiber)
- Fats: 30g
- Protein: 26g
