Taco Salad
Yield: 4-6 servings
Cook Time: About 10 minutes
Tips: You can use a packet of prepared taco flavoring instead of making your own, if desired. Chili cheese-flavored corn chips also taste great with this salad. If you prefer a dressing with more of a "kick," try using Chipotle Ranch Dressing.
Whether served for lunch or dinner, Taco Salad is a fun and festive salad that everyone in the family will enjoy! This easy taco salad recipe features seasoned ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken), crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded
cheddar cheese, corn chips, tomato chunks, pinto beans and avocado (optional). These tasty ingredients are tossed together with some Thousand Island dressing, giving this salad the perfect flavor zing!
The photo above shows Taco Salad made with ground beef, but this salad is just as delicious made with ground turkey or chicken (you can also use chunks or shredded pieces of turkey or chicken). Avocado adds wonderful flavor and texture to this salad, though is entirely optional. Regular corn chips are also shown in the photo, but chili cheese, ranch or other flavored corn chips also taste great with this salad. Taco Salad is one of those quick and easy dishes that comes in handy on busy days when you want to spend the least amount of time possible in the kitchen. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and requires very minimal clean up time. Best of all, everyone will love it!
The photo above shows Taco Salad made with ground beef, but this salad is just as delicious made with ground turkey or chicken (you can also use chunks or shredded pieces of turkey or chicken). Avocado adds wonderful flavor and texture to this salad, though is entirely optional. Regular corn chips are also shown in the photo, but chili cheese, ranch or other flavored corn chips also taste great with this salad. Taco Salad is one of those quick and easy dishes that comes in handy on busy days when you want to spend the least amount of time possible in the kitchen. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and requires very minimal clean up time. Best of all, everyone will love it!
Recipe▼
Ingredients
- Salad
- 1 lb. ground beef, turkey or chicken (or shredded or cubed turkey or chicken)
- 3/4 head iceberg lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces and rinsed clean
- 2 large tomatoes, cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained
- 1 12-oz. bag corn chips (regular or flavored)
- 1 avocado, cut into bite-size chunks (optional)
- 1 16-oz. bottle Thousand Island Dressing (less may be used, if desired)
- Homemade Taco Seasoning (recipe follows) or 1 package of prepared Taco Seasoning
- 8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
- Homemade Taco Seasoning(Tip: A packet of Taco flavoring can be used instead of making your own, if desired.)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Brown ground beef in a large skillet (if you're using turkey or chicken, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in skillet prior to adding turkey or chicken). Drain juices. Stir in pinto beans and taco seasoning mix to thoroughly combine. Transfer seasoned meat and beans mixture to a large salad bowl. Add tomatoes, cheese, avocadoes (if using), lettuce and corn chips (use part of or entire bag, depending on personal preference) and toss to combine. Add Thousand Island Dressing (a portion of or entire bottle, depending on personal preference). Toss until well coated. Serve.
