With Lettuce black Beans Beef Taco Seasons Hot Chipotle Peppers Salsa Casserole

Beef Taco Salad with Salsa Dressing

posted by Liz Berg

on April 8, 2018 (updated 5/11/22)

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This Ground Beef Taco Salad with Salsa Dressing plus all the usual taco fixings makes for a scrumptious, fresh, and vibrant entree. Seasoned ground beef anchors the meal and the rest is up to you!

With your favorite Taco Salad Toppings, you can personalize this meal to fit your palate!

Beef Taco Salad with Salsa Dressing in a white ceramic bowl

Why You'll Love this Taco Salad Recipe

Back in my college days, my gal pals and I would order loaded Tex-Mex salads served in a deep-fried taco shell thinking we were being virtuous. Our young metabolisms could handle the calorie load, but I'm sure the numbers weren't pretty!

Nowadays, I like to focus on the veggies, so I loaded this salad with lettuces, tomatoes, avocados, cucumber, and red bell peppers for a healthier taco salad. A few corn chips and olives and a drizzle of salsa dressing added even more textures and flavors!
It's easy to tweak this entree salad with your favorite taco salad toppings and make it your own!

Another marvelous salad with a similar flavor palate is this Low-Carb Southwest Chicken Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Taco Salad?

Taco salad is typically a lettuce-based entree salad that's made with all your favorite taco fillings and toppings. Greens are layered with seasoned ground beef, chopped tomatoes, avocadoes, black olives, and cheddar cheese. It's often served in a bowl made from a fried or baked tortilla shell and/or tortilla chips.

What Do You Eat with Taco Salad?

Can You Make Taco Salad with Chicken?

Yes, you can use seasoned ground chicken or shredded chicken instead of beef for your taco salad recipe.

In fact, any favorite protein will work. Try it with leftover salmon, black beans, and more!

Overhead view of Beef Taco Salad with Salsa Dressing in a white serving bowl

Tips for Making this Tex-Mex Salad

I wasn't sure the hubby would be thrilled with a "salad" for dinner even though it is quite hearty. So as I predicted, the flour tortillas I had also purchased came in handy. Instead of taco salad, he was quite pleased with plain ol' beef tacos, a little side salad, and a whole lot of Fritos for dinner!

To shake things up, consider spicing up some rotisserie chicken and using that instead of the ground beef. Monterey Jack cheese or a blend would work swimmingly. And if you don't like avocados (not sure who doesn't except for my picky husband) or black olives, just leave them out.
Feel free to use whatever salad dressing you fancy in this Tex-Mex salad! French or Catalina would be delicious! With or without the salsa dressing, this beef taco salad would be fabulous on a warm spring or summer day.
Try a taco salad with Doritos instead of Fritos if that's what you have on hand.
Add corn, radishes, jalapenos, and even fresh herbs to shake things up!
I like using my homemade taco seasoning when browning up the ground beef, but spice it up however you like.

More Dinner Ideas Using Ground Beef

Ground beef is a staple in our freezer, but I tend to make the same dishes over and over. Here are a few ideas if you need inspiration, too!

Ground Beef Stroganoff from Spend with Pennies
Pesto Burgers
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
Easy Black Bean Chili
Guacamole Burgers
Grilled Butter Burgers
More Beef Recipes

Ingredients

Salad:

3/4 cups cooked ground beef taco meat (I cooked with my homemade taco seasoning, minced onion, red bell pepper and minced garlic)
5 ounces spring greens or favorite lettuces
1 cup Fritos corn chips
2 scallions, sliced thinnly
1/2-1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 -1 avocado cubed
2 tablespoons cubed cucumber
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
2 tablespoons diced red bell pepper

Salsa Dressing:

1/2 cup sour cream
2-3 tablespoons salsa, to taste
Lemon juice, to thin dressing, to taste

Instructions

Rewarm taco meat if needed.
Layer lettuce and then Fritos into a large salad bowl. Place the taco meat in the center of the bowl. Disperse the rest of the ingredients around the perimeter, saving the cheese for last.
To make the dressing, whisk together the sour cream and salsa to taste. Taste and add lemon juice to taste.
Pass the salad along with the dressing to serve.

Notes

Feel free to swap out ground beef for cooked, shredded chicken (season with taco spices) and add or eliminate any of the other ingredients according to your preferences. A bottled French dressing works well with this salad, too.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 878 Total Fat: 58g Saturated Fat: 14g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 39g Cholesterol: 79mg Sodium: 994mg Carbohydrates: 68g Fiber: 11g Sugar: 6g Protein: 27g

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Lincoln Hoult2001