What Youll Need For This Recipe
The truth is, I developed this recipe while scouring my fridge and finding tons of half-opened and half-used ingredients, so you can really do the same thing. I suggest taking this recipe and using it as inspiration for your own creation.
Dont have cheddar, only mozzarella? Use that! Sub in ground turkey? Go for it! Want to add corn? Perfect! Maybe you dont have black beans, and you want to use refried beans instead? Great!
With that in mind, here are the ingredients I used for mine:
- 96/4 extra lean ground beef
- extra thin corn tortillas
Layered Taco Dip Variations
This is a basic and delicious recipe, but there’s always room for more creativity. Here are some ways you can shake it up:
- Try adding a layer of guacamole before your salsa layer.
- Add some black beans, corn, and a teaspoon of chili powder to the salsa to give it a little southwestern flavor.
- To make it spicier, you can add some extra cayenne pepper to the sour cream mixture with the taco seasoning and use hot salsa.
- Add a layer of taco-seasoned ground beef after the bean layer for more taco flavor and a bit of extra protein to make it more filling.
- Add your favorite toppings. Get creative! Different cheeses, jalapenos, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, even lettuce!
Tips For Making Homemade Taco Salad
There are so many ways to make this salad your own and to mix-and-match the ingredients based on what you have on hand and enjoy:
- Use another color of bell pepper .
- Add an onion to the ground beef while its browning.
- Add salsa to the beef and bean mixture.
- Use black beans rather than refried.
- Top with avocado, guacamole, sour cream dollops, black olives, green onions, cilantro.
- I used white corn tortilla chips but you can also use Doritos, or experiment with Fritos or another favorite kind of corn-based chip.
Cuisine:Category:
Don’t Miss: Rosewood Nature’s Salad For Hamsters
How To Efficiently Make A Layered Salad
Making a layered salad can seem confusing to people I get these questions a lot, especially when I talk about by mason jar salads .
Here are some of my mason jar salads:
Since the concept is similar, you can totally make this recipe in mason jars for individual portions!
The key to making layered salads like this is to put the denser, wetter ingredients on the bottom and then as you work up, you layer the lighter ingredients . This ensures that any moisture from the denser ingredients does not seep into the other ingredients.
Layered Taco Salad Recipe
One of my favorite things about cooking is just taking something so simple, like a taco salad, and instead of buying everything packaged, just doing it from scratch. Making my own dressing. Making my own taco seasoning. Buying a package of it is, of course, easy, but I just wanted to wind down from a hectic week, open the deck door that’s off the kitchen, and cook in silence. And not get overloaded on sodium in the process. Amen. Kumbaya. Namaste.
This isn’t technically a meal most people would make for themselves while home alone for the evening. But I’m here to convince you that it should be… And that is makes much more sense to make a layered taco salad for yourself than it does a taco dinner because the leftovers are much easier to keep. And that means, you can eat this taco salad for basically a week straight.
You’ll also have fewer dishes to do than if you made tacos , which is always a win in my book. Especially when I’ve had a super busy week and just want to relax.
And don’t worry this is a super easy salad! You’ll start by cooking the onion, garlic, and chili peppers, along with a few delicious Mexican spices.
Add the beef in and cook until it’s browned.
Then you’re ready for the layering. Start by putting chopped lettuce in the bottom of a 13×9 dish. And then add the beautiful beef mixture on top.
It just felt so right to finally get some veggies in my life. Even if they were covered with saucy beef.
Read Also: How To Build A Salad
Here Are A Few More Of My Favorite Layered Salad Ideas For You To Try:
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- 1-1/2 lbs ground turkey or ground beef
- 2 Tbsps homemade taco seasoning
- 1 6oz jar salsa, red or green
- 2 large heads of romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 15-ounce can of black or pinto beans, rinsed
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup shredded cheese of choice
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 fresh lemon or lime, juiced over the avocado
- 1 cup crumbled corn tortilla chips
How To Make Taco Salad
If you have made Ground Beef Tacos in the past, you already know how to make the salad. The process is very similar and even easier.
Read Also: 5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipes
Layered Taco Salad Is A Gorgeous Layered Salad Of Romaine Black Beans Corn Seasoned Beef Cheddar Cheese Tomatoes Black Olives Green Onions And Jalapenos With A Simple Sour Cream And Salsa Dressing
try it
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches rank pretty high on my favorite sandwich list! So I obviously had to make this Instant Pot Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches Recipe! It did NOT disappoint! So easy to make and the flavor was amazing! I served mine with these Oven Baked Seasoned Steak Fries Recipe and this Ranch Pasta Salad (Easy …
How To Make Layered Taco Salad
1. To make the guacamole layer, cut the avocado in half. Remove the avocado pit and scoop out the flesh with a spoon into a small bowl. Mash avocado with a fork to break it up.
2. Add the Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and hot sauce . Stir until ingredients are combined.
3. Cook seasoned taco meat in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat according to package directions.
Remember to let the seasoned ground beef cool before using it in the salad so it doesnt wilt the lettuce.
4. Assemble the taco salad in a glass trifle bowl in the following order:
- The cooked taco seasoned ground beef goes at the bottom.
- Follow with half the lettuce.
- Then add the pinto beans, corn, salsa, tortilla chips, and remaining Romaine lettuce.
- Finally, add the guacamole, shredded cheese, chopped tomato, and diced red onion to the top of the salad.
5. Keep chilled until served.
Also Check: Best Salad Dressing For Low Cholesterol Diet
Easy Layered Taco Dip
This easy Layered Taco Dip is a super easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer recipe that always gets gobbled up in minutes. With layers of refried beans, a creamy taco-flavored layer, salsa, cheese, and all of your favorite taco toppings, it’s easy to see why it’s a classic favorite.
Taco Dip is super yummy, and I love that you can customize it to your own personal tastes. Add ingredients that you love or leave some out that you hate. It’s like a taco bar in a dish!
How To Serve Taco Salad
- Taco Bar you can arrange all of the ingredients in separate bowls and let your guests build their own custom taco salads. We love this option when there are gluten-free or keto dinner guests. P.S. You can get gluten-free taco seasoning.
- Layered Salad if you want to serve this as one large salad for a party, you can assemble it in a 9×13 glass casserole as a layered taco salad starting with the lettuce then beef, and sprinkle remaining toppings evenly over the top.
- Taco Salad Bowls serve this as a side salad or as a main course. Divide lettuce between bowls, add ground beef, and desired toppings.
Also Check: Wendy’s Menu Side Salad
Tips For The Best Taco Salad
Use Lean Ground Beef Ground beef with a higher fat content will release more fat. Tilt the pan for the fat to pool at the corn of the pan then spoon off the excess fat. If you dont skim it off, the fat will solidify on the meat when it cools and you dont want that.
Assemble just before serving Mixed taco salad does not keep well as the salt in the pico and taco seasoning will wilt the lettuce over time. If you want to make this in advance, see the meal prep option below.
Easy Layered Bean Dip Recipe
This favorite is always a hit. Add a special touch by surrounding it with flavored, colored or unusual-shaped tortilla chips.
Provided by Pillsbury Kitchens
CuisineCalories
- Carefully spread guacamole on top of sour cream mixture top with Cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, olives and green onions. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with tortilla chips.
SEVEN-LAYER BEAN DIP RECIPE – BETTYCROCKER.COM
From
- Top with salsa, lettuce, cheese, olives and tomato. Refrigerate until serving time. Serve with tortilla chips.
TOP SECRET RECIPES | TACO BELL ENCHIRITO COPYCAT RECIPE …
FromCuisineCalories
- Carefully spread guacamole on top of sour cream mixture top with Cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, olives and green onions. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with tortilla chips.
SEVEN-LAYER BEAN DIP RECIPE – BETTYCROCKER.COM
From
- Top with salsa, lettuce, cheese, olives and tomato. Refrigerate until serving time. Serve with tortilla chips.
TOP SECRET RECIPES | TACO BELL ENCHIRITO COPYCAT RECIPE …
FromCuisineCalories
- Carefully spread guacamole on top of sour cream mixture top with Cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, olives and green onions. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with tortilla chips.
EASY LAYERED TACO SALAD – AVERIE COOKS
From
LAYERED TACO DIP RECIPE | ALLRECIPES
From
REFRIED BEANS – WIKIPEDIA
From
QUICK VEGETARIAN 7-LAYER BEAN DIP APPETIZER RECIPE
From
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST ENCHILADAS RECIPE | CDKITCHEN.COM
From
COUPONS – BETTYCROCKER.COM
FromFrom
Read Also: Best Things To Put In A Salad To Lose Weight
Creating A Layered Taco Salad
To recreate it as a layered taco salad, I made it in a trifle bowl.
Inspired by my 7 Can Taco Soup recipe and my Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Without BBQ Sauce, I used wholesome ingredients like beans, corn, low-fat cheese, diced red onions, salsa, and avocados.
Its such a hit with my kids that I make it at least once a month for taco night. We rarely have leftovers because my kids think this is the best taco salad.
It’s a shame because this easy recipe tastes even better the second day.
Layered Taco Salad With Ground Beef
This easy Layered Taco Salad with Ground Beef can be whipped up in a pinch and will please the entire family! If youre a fan of #TacoTuesday but youre trying to be a bit healthier, try this recipe out. Be sure to serve with a side of tortilla chips to really step it up a notch!
Were smack in the middle of the Summer now and the temperatures continue to rise. For me, that means NEVER turning on the oven and easy peasy dinners. Salads topped with leftovers are perfect one-pan meals and can be packed with all sorts of toppings to make them filling and full of good for you ingredients. This Layered Taco Salad with Ground Beef is just that!
You May Like: Where To Buy Amish Potato Salad
How I Made My Layered Taco Salad
So, as I mentioned before, there is no real science here, and any ingredient can be swapped out for another similar ingredient. You can add or take away anything youd like.
To make my version, I cooked my ground beef with the taco seasoning and water, just like the package directions say to. Once thats finished, remove it from the pan to cool. In the same pan, you an add the drained and rinsed black beans, along with the seasonings and cook this for ten minutes, and then remove that from the pan to cool as well.
This is the only true cooking required for this recipe. The rest is just combining ingredients and assembly.
Next, prepare the tomatoes, onions, avocado, and dressing. This part is easy, as its just combining different flavorings and ingredients to make really flavorful condiments and toppings for this dish.
How Do You Make Layered Taco Salad
First in a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef. When completely browned drain any excess fat. Now add the water and the taco seasoning and simmer for about fifteen minutes. Then in a small bowl stir together the sour cream and salsa. Set it aside while you layer the salad.
Place one half of the lettuce in the trifle bowl. Now top in order with black beans and corn. Add the rest of the lettuce. Then top in order with the taco meat and cheddar. Smooth over with the sour cream/salsa mixture. Add a ring of tomatoes on the outside, followed by a ring of black olives. Now add the green onions to the center and run the rim of the bowl with jalapenos on their sides. If desired serve with ranch dressing on the side.
You May Like: Find Me A Recipe For Chicken Salad
Create A Free Account To Save Recipes
VARIATIONS ON TACO SALAD
- Meat: Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken for the taco meat. You could also use leftover steak, grilled chicken, or shredded Rotisserie Chicken.
- Beans: Replace the cup of black beans with any other canned beans like chili beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, or garbanzo beans.
- Veggies: Make this a Healthy Taco Salad with extra veggies like roasted zucchini or summer squash, bell peppers, red onions, canned corn, or green onions.
- Creamy Cilantro Dressing: Make a creamy cilantro lime dressing by using salsa verde instead of taco sauce and add ½ cup chopped cilantro. Blend everything in a food processor until smooth, adding buttermilk if you want it thinner.
- Chipotle Dressing: Skip the taco sauce and make a spicy Creamy Chipotle Dressing. Add 1 teaspoon chipotle in adobo, plus spices like chili powder, salt and pepper, and a teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder.
- Low Carb: To make a Low Carb Taco Salad, replace the cup of black beans with soy beans and use Parmesan Crisps for a corn chip sub.
Crispy Tortilla Bowls
MORE FUN FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPES
HOW TO STORE TACO SALAD
Pin this recipe now to remember it later
Layered Taco Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced finely
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 can of Rotel tomatoes with chiles, drained
- 1 packet of taco seasoning mix or homemade taco seasoning
- 2 cans of refried beans
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, cored, chopped, and dried
- 1½ cups of your favorite salsa
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- cup sliced black olives, drained
- 2 Roma tomatoes, seeds removed and chopped
- 1 bunch of green onions, chopped
- 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
For the Ranch Sour Cream
- 1 cups sour cream
- cup mayonnaise
CHIPS: Use flavored tortilla chips to add an extra kick to your dish.
CORN: Add corn into the layers.
PEPPERS: I love adding chopped green or red bell pepper on top of this before serving.
GUACAMOLE: You can never go wrong with a little guacamole yum!
BACON: Cook and crumble some bacon to add on top, because bacon makes everything better!
SPICE: Dont love heat? Leave out the jalapeños.
GROUND MEAT: Ground turkey or ground pork are two great alternatives to ground beef.
Read Also: Best Small Blender For Salad Dressing
How To Make A Layered Taco Salad
Are Taco Salads Healthy
In my personal opinion, you can make most meals healthier. To make this recipe on the healthier side make the following swaps:
- Ground beef Swap for ground turkey, chicken or lean beef.
- Shredded Cheese Swap for reduced-fat or lite cheese.
- Sour Cream Swap for lite sour cream or plain Greek Yogurt.
Don’t Miss: Chick Fil A Grilled Market Salad Calories
Easy Homemade Taco Salad Recipe
Ive been eating taco salad as long as I can remember. Of course as a kid, in the 90s, my mom made the Dorito version and of course we loved that but now I prefer to make it with more natural chips.
Taco salad is one of the ultimate weeknight recipes. When theres not much time to make something taco salad is a great option, especially this version which uses ground beef , bottled salsa to add lots of flavor without the prep, and pre-shredded cheese.
Quick And Easy Layered Taco Salad Recipe
20 March, 2017
If you’re new here, you may want to follow me on , too. Thanks for visiting!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Easy Layered Taco Salad Recipe : Who doesnt love a great taco salad? This one is layered with all those and topped with sour cream and loads of cheese.
We usually have at least one Tex Mex meal a week at our house because the boys love it and I love that theyre so easy to throw together. This time, though, I thought I would change it up a bit. At the last minute, I simply threw all those wonderful Mexican flavors we love in one bowl and served it. And Im happy to report back that it was a great one.
I think this would be a wonderful idea for a potluck or even some sort of spring or summer party because everything can be carried in just one bowl and served alongside another bowl of your favorite chips and salsa. You could even add the salsa to the layered taco salad, but since the boys like the restaurant style, I decided to keep that one as a side addition. Still, it could easily be adjusted to what your family enjoys most and even what you already have in the fridge and pantry. Dont be afraid to experiment with this one. Just layer your favorites and serve. Heres how I made this one.
Recommended Reading: Whats In A Seven Layer Salad