Doritos Taco Salad Recipe

Introduction

Doritos Taco Salad is a fun and flavorful twist on a classic taco dinner. Combining seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, and crunchy Doritos, this salad is perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner. It’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy your craving for Tex-Mex flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced red onions
• 1/2 cup diced green peppers
• 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
• 1/2 cup mild chunky salsa
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 3 cups crumbled Doritos

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook ground beef in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, crumbling it well as it cooks.
2. Step 2: Once fully cooked, drain the grease from the pan.
3. Step 3: Add taco seasoning, onion powder, salt, and water to the pan. Stir well and continue cooking over medium-high heat until the beef is coated and no liquid remains.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and set the ground beef aside to cool.
5. Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped lettuce, diced red onions, diced green peppers, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Toss well.
6. Step 6: Add salsa, ranch dressing, and the cooled ground beef to the bowl. Toss again until evenly mixed.
7. Step 7: Gently fold in the crumbled Doritos just until they are incorporated to keep their crunch.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture of the Doritos.
9. Step 9: Enjoy your tasty Doritos Taco Salad!

Tips & Variations

• For extra freshness, add avocado or sliced black olives to the salad.
• Try substituting ranch dressing with a creamy cilantro lime dressing for a zesty twist.
• Use your favorite flavor of Doritos for a unique taste variation—cool ranch or spicy nacho work well.
• For a lighter version, swap mozzarella and cheddar for reduced-fat cheese or omit cheese altogether.

Storage

Because Doritos quickly become soggy, it’s best to store the taco salad components separately if not serving immediately. Keep the dressed salad and crumbled Doritos in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Combine just before serving, and enjoy at once for the best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Doritos Taco Salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the seasoned beef and chopped vegetables ahead, but keep the Doritos and dressings separate until serving to maintain their crunch.

What can I use instead of ground beef?

Ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat substitute all work well in this salad if you prefer a different protein option.

Doritos Taco Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 145 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

A delicious and easy-to-make Doritos Taco Salad featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and crunchy Doritos chips, tossed with chunky salsa and ranch dressing for a flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Seasoning

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup water

Vegetables and Cheese

• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced red onions
• 1/2 cup diced green peppers
• 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Dressings and Chips

• 1/2 cup mild chunky salsa
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 3 cups crumbled Doritos

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Instructions

1. Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Crumble the meat as it cooks to ensure even browning.
2. Drain Grease: Once the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink, carefully drain off the excess grease from the pan to reduce fat content.
3. Add Seasonings: Add taco seasoning, onion powder, salt, and water to the pan with the cooked beef. Stir well to evenly coat the meat.
4. Simmer Till Dry: Continue cooking over medium-high heat until the seasoning is absorbed and there is no excess liquid left in the pan.
5. Cool Ground Beef: Remove the pan from heat and set the seasoned beef aside to cool before mixing into the salad.
6. Prepare Vegetables and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped iceberg lettuce, diced red onions, diced green peppers, diced tomatoes, and shredded mozzarella-cheddar cheese blend.
7. Toss Vegetables: Toss the vegetables and cheese thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
8. Add Dressings and Beef: Add mild chunky salsa, ranch dressing, and the cooled ground beef to the vegetable mixture. Toss again to combine all flavors well.
9. Add Doritos: Gently fold in the crumbled Doritos chips, tossing just enough to mix but keeping the chips crunchy.
10. Serve Immediately: Serve the taco salad right away to maintain the crisp texture of the Doritos chips and enjoy the fresh flavors.

Notes

• For extra heat, use a spicy salsa or add sliced jalapeños.
• Use low-fat cheese and dressing to reduce calories.
• To keep Doritos crunchier longer, add them just before serving.
• Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef for a leaner option.
• Perfect for quick weeknight meals or potluck gatherings.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Keywords: Doritos taco salad, taco salad recipe, Tex-Mex salad, ground beef salad, crunchy taco salad, easy taco salad