Description
Mouthwatering Mexican Taco Salad brings zesty flavors to your dinner table with crisp ingredients and bold seasonings. Crunchy tortilla chips complement spicy ground beef, fresh vegetables, and tangy dressing that will delight you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil (if needed)
- 1 packet (28 g) taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
- ½ cup (120 ml) black beans, rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (75 g) corn (canned, frozen, or fresh)
- ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup (25 g) tortilla chips, lightly crushed
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Heat a skillet over medium flame with a light coating of olive oil, then crumble ground beef and cook until richly browned, carefully draining excess fat.
- Seasoning Infusion: Stir taco seasoning into the beef with a splash of water, simmering to meld flavors and create a robust, aromatic filling.
- Salad Foundation: Layer a spacious bowl with crisp romaine lettuce, creating a verdant base for the taco salad’s vibrant components.
- Ingredient Assembly: Artfully distribute diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, black beans, and golden corn across the lettuce, building layers of color and texture.
- Final Touches: Arrange avocado segments and delicate red onion rings, then crown the salad with the seasoned taco meat and crushed tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany with optional garnishes like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, and serve immediately to maintain the salad’s fresh, dynamic character.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is completely dry before cooking to achieve perfect caramelization and avoid steaming instead of browning.
- Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a soggy salad and maintain a clean, crisp texture in the final dish.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef with turkey, plant-based crumbles, or grilled chicken for lighter protein options that suit various dietary preferences.
- Keep Ingredients Crisp: Prep ingredients just before serving and add crunchy elements like tortilla chips last to maintain maximum texture and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg