Simple Doritos Taco Salad (Printable)
Crunchy Tex-Mex salad with seasoned beef, romaine, black beans, cheddar and crushed Doritos tossed in ranch.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Seasonings
02 - 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
03 - 1/4 cup water
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
→ Cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Chips
10 - 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, slightly crushed
→ Dressing
11 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing or Catalina dressing
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
02 - Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, black beans, corn, and shredded cheddar cheese.
04 - Add the slightly cooled taco beef to the vegetable and cheese mixture.
05 - Just before serving, add crushed Doritos and your choice of dressing. Toss gently until evenly combined.
06 - Serve immediately while the Doritos are still crunchy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This salad is my go-to secret for making weeknight dinners feel like a party, no extra effort required.
- The fresh veggies and bold Doritos flavor won me (and my picky friends) over in just one crunchy bite.
02 -
- If you add the Doritos or dressing too early, they’ll sog up in minutes—wait until the last second.
- Cooling the beef just a bit keeps the lettuce crisp and the cheese perfectly gooey in places.
03 -
- Always taste and adjust seasoning on the beef for extra punch before adding to your salad.
- Crushing the Doritos gently in the bag keeps cleanup easy and your kitchen crumb-free.