What To Put In Taco Salad

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The Best Taco Salad Recipe

How to make Taco Salad Tutorial

This Taco Salad recipe is the absolute best! Made with seasoned ground beef, chopped lettuce and all your favorite toppings , this salad is ready in under 30 minutes and the kids will love it!

Maybe its just my inner 13-year-old child talking, but a taco salad recipe thats actually topped with nacho-flavored tortilla chips is pretty much my dream come true.

I definitely ate a version of this in middle school at least once a week. Back then it was all about the walking taco youd buy one of those 25 cent bags of corn chips or tortilla chips , stuff them with nacho cheese, ground beef, sour cream, a teeny tiny bit of lettuce and eat it all with a fork. I looked forward to lunch every single day.

But now that Im older and slightly wiser, I try to make sure my meals are at least 80% good for me and filled healthy ingredients.

The other 20%? Well thats all about cravings, healthy or not, and today Im craving good ol classic Doritos!

What Are Tacos Like In Mexico

Mexican tacos are small and soft, and the tortillas are either lightly grilled or streamed. A taco can be made with a variety of meat, including beef, pork, chicken, or seafood. Vegetables like avocados, home-made salsa, and chopped onions are added, and garnished with fresh lime juice and cilantro.

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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.

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Dressings That Go Well On Taco Salad

Here are 11 dressings that go well on taco salad:

I like to put ranch dressing on my taco salad because it adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavor.

Its also great for dipping your chips in!

The first thing you need to do when putting ranch dressing on your taco salad is to make sure that you have room for it.

You want to make sure that theres enough room between all of the ingredients so that the dressing doesnt seep into the other ingredients.

Next, you need to make sure that youre using a squeeze bottle or bowl with a small spoon in order to get just enough dressing onto your taco salad without adding too much and making it soggy.

Not sure how to make your own ranch?

Heres how I like to do it:

  • To make ranch dressing, mix together 1 cup of buttermilk with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise until smooth.
  • Then add 1/4 cup of sour cream and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic or garlic powder, plus salt and pepper to taste.
  • Whisk until well-combined, then refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
  • What Do You Serve With Taco Salad

    Dorito Taco Salad

    Taco Salad is practically a meal-in-itself with protein, veggies and carbs the only thing left to add is fruit! I love to serve it with juicy watermelon, Pina Colada Fruit Salad, Perfect Fruit Salad or Summer Fruit Salad. Its also fabulous with a big slice of sweet cornbread or grilled corn on the cob.

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    What Dressing Can I Serve This Salad With

    This taco salad is tasty on its own, but you can make a dressing if youd like. If you want a creamy dressing for your salad, try one of these:

    • Creamy Salsa Verde Dressing: Stir together ½ cup each sour cream and salsa verde, zest and juice of 1 lime, and salt to taste.
    • Spicy Ranch Dressing: Whisk together ¾ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons mayo, 1 packet ranch dressing mix, zest and juice of 1 lime, cayenne pepper to taste, and milk or water to thin.

    Want More Taco Recipes Try These Next:

    This Walking Taco recipe for a convenient meal on the go without the need for a plate! Taco In A Bag is a popular choice for camping, parties, and picnics.

    Indian Tacos, also know as Navajo tacos, are a Native American taco made on tender, crispy fry bread topped with taco meat, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.

    This Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe is so easy to make and so flavorful. Just brown the meat, put everything in the crockpot to cook, and then just stir!

    Tater Tot Taco Pizza is a mouthwatering combo of two of your favorite eats: tacos and pizza! The tater tot crust makes this dinner recipe even more fun.

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    Our Easy Dorito Taco Salad Recipe

    I had never heard of a tossed taco salad before and had this at a potluck. I fell in love with not only its simplicity but all of the possibilities that came along with it. It seemed so easy to make and was really a complete meal on a plate. It would be perfect for hot or cold days, a great way to stretch the budget, and feed up to six people for under ten bucks! How can you beat that for a fun, frugal, and thrifty easy meal?

    Tips For Easy Taco Salad Recipe

    TACO SALAD WITH DORITOS | Easy Lunch or Dinner Salad
    • Leftover beef. Leftover taco meat is perfect for this taco salad recipe. You can even double this recipe with the intention of freezing some to use later because the beeffreezes beautifully for quick prep ahead dinners.
    • Add cayenne pepper to taste. Depending on how spicy your salsa is and how spicy you would like your beef, you may or may not want to use cayenne pepper. I suggest making the beef without the cayenne pepper then tasting to see if you would like to add it. Keep in mind, it is okay if the beef is on the spicy side because it will mellow and be perfect once combined with all of the taco salad ingredients.
    • Time saving tips. In addition to using defrosted make ahead beef, you can use pre-chopped Romaine lettuce, store-bought pico de gallo instead of tomatoes and onion and pre-shredded cheese.
    • Prep the taco salad dressing first. The Cilantro Lime Dressing is very best chilled no one wants lukewarm dressing! So, plan on making the dressing earlier in the day and refrigerating it or pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving if youre running low on time.
    • Customize taco salad. All of the ingredients are just a guideline. You can use more or less of each ingredient, add other vegetables or omit some completely. The ingredient list is up to you to make it YOUR favorite Taco Salad!
    • Different dressings. Have fun trying different dressings such as Tomatillo Avocado Ranch, Baja Catalina Dressing or Creamy Salsa Avocado Dressing.

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    Is A Taco Salad Healthier Than A Taco

    A taco salad may appear to be the healthier option for you if you compare it to a regular taco, but there are other things to consider, namely the topping and sauces. Are you adding guacamole? Sour Cream? What kind of meat or cheese are you adding? Does the taco salad have a deep-fried shell or baked?

    You can always tweak something to make it healthier. Ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef. Fat-free cheese or sour cream instead of the regular versions. I find that if I just read over the recipe first, I can easily see what tweaks I would do for my family.

    How Do You Make A Homemade Taco Bar

    The simple steps to creating an amazing taco bar right at home. 1 Start with Tortillas and Shells. Every taco starts with either a soft or crispy tortilla. 2 Meat and Cheese. Right next to the tortillas and shells, youll want to place the meat and cheese. 3 Salsa. 4 Extra Toppings. 5 Add Some Heat! 6 Enjoy!.

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    Is Wendy’s Taco Salad Nutritious

    Ordering a salad from your favorite fast-food spot is a bit of a catch-22, as the seemingly “healthier” options are oftentimes actually some of the worst things on the menu in terms of nutrition. This, unfortunately, is the case for Wendy’s taco salad. The fan-favorite is the most calorie-laden salad option at the chain, with a total of 690 calories , but that’s not all. To make matters worse, the meal also contains 34 grams of fat, 68 grams of carbs, and more sodium than 160 Lay’s potato chips , which is certainly not ideal.

    The upside of ordering a taco salad from Wendy’s is that all of its components are packed separately, making it easier for you to put together a slightly healthier meal. Skipping the chips and sour cream are two ways you can lower the dish’s calorie count, and pouring less chili on top of your veggies can help as well. Wendy’s taco salad is also big enough to split into two separate meals, which would each ring in at a more acceptable 345 calories each.

    Are Taco Salads Unhealthy

    Chicken Taco Salad Recipe with Creamy Lime Dressing

    Although you may think of taco salad as a healthy option, its often loaded with calories and fat. But if you leave out the tortilla chips or taco shell, use fat-free cheese, and swap in plain yogurt for the traditional sour cream, taco salad can become a healthy, filling, low-carb, and flavorful meal.

    In my kitchen, hot summers equal easy, one-pan dinners that avoid the oven and dont require keeping the stove on for too long. Salads are perfect for checking those boxes, but of course you still need some protein in there to make it a full meal. Thats where this easy and healthy taco salad recipe with ground beef comes in youre going to love it!

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    For The Taco Meat: Use Vegan Or Ground Beef

    This taco salad recipe is flexible enough to feed any eater. Around here we eat a lot of vegetarian and vegan recipes. But when we serve a crowd, we want a concept that works for everyone. This recipe is a classic taco salad, vegan taco salad, and healthy taco salad: all in one! That, in our minds, makes this one stellar meal worth putting in your regular rotation. Here are the two types of taco meat to use, vegan or classic:

    • Walnut taco meat is incredibly delicious. No judgement zone, here. This walnut taco meat might be a little different, but it receives rave reviews from meat eaters and vegetarians alike! Walnuts, mushrooms and spices make a texture thats incredibly similar to real meat.
    • Or, use ground beef. The recipe below has instructions for how to cook the ground beef. In fact, youll use the exact same spices as the meatless taco meat.

    Variations: Use Greek Yogurt Sour Cream Or Mayo

    Can you make this taco salad dressing without Greek yogurt? Can you substitute for the sour cream? Here are a few notes:

    • The Greek yogurt plus sour cream combo is ideal. The Greek yogurt yogurt lightens the calories, and adds protein and live probiotics.
    • Dont want yogurt? Use ½ cup salsa and ½ cup sour cream. Or for a vegan variation, see below!
    • Dont have sour cream? Use mayonnaise instead of sour cream! You definitely need some richness to give it body and help it adhere to the salad. We dont recommend 100% Greek yogurt, though you could do it in a pinch.

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    Best Taco Salad Recipe

    Were all about taco Tuesday, or really any Mexican food any day of the week. Turn those beef tacos into something special with this family favorite Taco Salad!

    Taco salad ingredients can really be anything that you love. We love fresh avocado, tomato, and green onions. I love that each person can customize their bowl-full and make something really delicious.

    For a heartier version, add in some spanish rice or crock pot pinto beans. Feel free to pour on your favorite red or green salsa as well!

    How Do You Make Taco Salad

    How to Make Rees Chicken Taco Salad | The Pioneer Woman | Food Network
    • Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Crumble in beef in chunks. Let sear until browned on bottom, about 3 minutes then turn and break up beef and continue to cookie until cooked through.
    • Drain fat from beef then stir in salsa, chili powder and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste and heat through, about 1 minute.*
    • Layer lettuce among individual plates. Top with chips, beef mixture, cheese, tomatoes, avocado and sour cream. Serve immediately.

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    Best Taco Salad Dressing Ingredients

    What we love about this dressing is how simple it is to put together! Its just a matter of mixing up a few ingredients you might have on hand or purchased for your taco salad anyway. Heres what you need:

    • Red salsa: Your favorite purchased brand! Mild or medium, you choose
    • Greek yogurt: This helps to keep it light and healthy
    • Sour cream: Adds richness and helps the drizzle adhere to the salad you can also use mayo
    • Hot sauce: Optional but recommended! We like Cholula brand it adds a little heat and some tang

    Mix together these ingredients, then add salt to taste! One taste and youll be impressed by how tasty, creamy, zingy and delicious it is.

    What Goes Good With Walking Tacos

    Mango Guacamole. Keep the beach vibes strong year-round with a scoop of mango guacamole alongside your fish tacos. Avocado Rice. Seven-Layer Dip. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil. Zucchini Rice. Light and Tangy Coleslaw. Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs. Avocado Black Bean Pasta Salad.

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    Are Taco Salads Bad For You

    Yes, if youre not careful. There are about 500 calories in one traditional taco salad. And that would be without the shell or any of the other goodies inside like beans or cheese!

    This is why you should make your own taco salad- its much easier to control what goes into your salad, and you can even use healthier ingredients . You can also use lettuce shells instead of taco shells, like in the photo above.

    You should be careful with store-bought dressing because most of them are very high in calories and fat. Try making your own dressing at home with healthier ingredients, like this Ranch Dressing Recipe, or look for lower-calorie options at your supermarket.

    How To Make Creamy Salsa Dressing

    Taco Salad Recipe

    We chose a simple creamy salsa dressing for this recipe. If you prefer using bottled salad dressing that works too! Other popular choices include ranch, catalina, thousand island, and cilantro lime dressing.

    Put salsa, sour cream, mayonnaise, and powdered ranch dressing mix in a small bowl and stir to combine.

    Cover the creamy salsa dressing or transfer it to a container. Place in the fridge until ready to serve.

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    Easy Taco Salad Ingredients

    This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for taco salad recipes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

    You can easily customize this healthy taco salad recipe to your liking. Feel free to throw in any other veggies you have on hand, or omit anything you dont like. Thats one of the great things about easy salad recipes you dont have to be that precise!

    Ultimately, what goes in a taco salad is very much up to you, but no matter what combo you choose, the key to making taco salad healthy is using natural ingredients.

    You really dont need any store bought dressings or chips in there. But, for those that do want a little crunch, you can try adding tortilla chips .

    Is Taco Salad Recipe Good For You

    It depends on where you are finding it! Despite their perception as being healthy options, restaurant salads can have heavy dressings, contain a scant number of wholesome vegetables, and overdo it on the high-fat toppings. These often make salads a poorer nutritional choice than other items on the menu. Its deceptive!

    • Making your own taco salad at home means that you can control the ingredients and portions to make it as wholesome as you choose.
    • Unlike restaurant taco salads, this homemade version is loaded with nutritious ingredients. It is filling, the homemade dressing is low in fat and even high in protein. This salad also swaps the typical fried shell for baked tortilla strips. You have the same crunch, for a fraction of the calories!

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    Should You Eat Taco Salad Hot Or Cold

    Its entirely up to you. The salads contents and the dressing are prepared cold, and the meat is piled on fresh and hot, but you could always opt to refrigerate your bowl before serving if youd like the whole thing chilled.

    If you do go the cold route, then wait until serving to add the tortilla chips. Otherwise, theyll get stale and soggy in the fridge.

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