Description
A colorful, crunchy, and satisfying Taco Salad loaded with fresh veggies, seasoned ground beef (or your protein of choice), and topped with a zesty dressing. Perfect for a quick, hearty meal or as a party dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat for a lighter option)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups lettuce (romaine or mixed greens), chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- ½ cup crushed tortilla chips (optional for crunch)
- ¼ cup sliced red onion (optional)
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- ½ cup salsa or pico de gallo
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and follow the package instructions (usually adding water and simmering for a few minutes) to season the meat. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss together the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, avocado, and red onion (if using).
- Add the seasoned ground beef to the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Top the salad with shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, cilantro (if using), and salsa or pico de gallo.
- Serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt for an added creamy touch, if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the salad with other toppings such as jalapeños, olives, or a drizzle of homemade dressing.
- For a lighter version, skip the cheese and chips, or use a reduced-fat dressing.
- To make this salad more filling, add some rice or quinoa.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Salad
- Method: Stovetop, Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: taco salad, ground beef salad, Mexican salad, healthy taco salad, easy taco salad, quick dinner, customizable salad