Dorito Taco Salad is refreshing, flavor packed, and full of texture! It’s a 30-minute family favorite that is not only delicious but loaded with protein and fiber.
I grew up on this Dorito Taco Salad and I’ve continued to make it for my family. It’s full of vegetables which mean lots of fiber and the beans and meat add tons of protein. For more delicious salads that a filling enough to be a meal, try Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad, Kale Salad with Roasted Vegetables, and Tuna Chopped Salad.
Dorito Taco Salad
Can’t get your kids to eat salad? Throw some chips in it! This trick also works well for adults too! Seriously, many of my favorite salads have chips. Not only do Doritos add flavor to this salad but the crunchy texture is where it’s at!
Ingredients for Dorito Taco Salad:
- Ground Beef– Any percent fat ground beef will work, just be sure to drain off the grease.
- Onion– This gives more flavor to the meat. Some like to add fresh green onions to the salad at the end so that’s an option too.
- Taco Seasoning– Use Homemade Taco Seasoning or packaged.
- Water– This is used to simmer the meat so it becomes tender.
- Lettuce– I like Romaine hearts because they are more crisp than a whole head with the outer leaves. Iceberg lettuce is good too but not a nutrient dense.
- Avocado– This adds delicious creaminess to the salad. Feel free to use guacamole instead.
- Kidney Beans– This adds more texture as well as fiber and protein. Black or pinto beans work too.
- Cheese– Cheddar cheese, Mexican blend, Colby jack… all of these are great in this salad.
- Corn– I highly recommend Trader Joe’s frozen Fire Roasted Corn. Any other canned or frozen sweet corn works too.
- Tomatoes– Grape tomatoes do well in salads because they hold their shape but a diced Roma can be used instead.
- Olives– To save time, buy pre-sliced olives!
- Doritos– Be sure to use the Nacho Cheese flavored ones in the red bag. For more heat, grab the spicy kind.
- Catalina Dressing– This dressing is a sweet tomato based dressing that brings everything together.
How to make Taco Salad:
Time needed: 30 minutes
- Cook the onions
Heat 2 teaspoon oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Push the onions out toward the edges of the pan and turn heat up to medium-high.
- Brown the meat
Add the ground beef and let it sit and sear for 2-3 minutes. Flip and let it cook another 2 minutes. Break meat apart with a meat chopper or wooden spoon and let it sear again. Continue to chop up and brown meat. Once browned, drain off the grease. (I like to just dump it into a large mesh sieve.)
- Simmer
Add the meat/onions back to the pan along with the water and taco seasoning. Mix together, bring to simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer 10-15 minutes or until tender (meanwhile, prep the rest of the salad). Place in a bowl and let cool slightly.
- Assemble & Enjoy!
In a large bowl, add lettuce, beans, cheese, corn, tomatoes, and olives.
Add the Doritos, meat, avocado, and dressing just before serving. Toss until evenly coated in dressing and serve.
FAQs
Yes! Make the meat, cool, cover and place in fridge. In a large bowl, add lettuce, avocados, beans, cheese, corn, tomatoes, and olives. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, heat meat until warmed. Add the meat, Doritos, avocado, and dressing to the bowl of vegetables and toss until evenly coated.
Unfortunately, like other green leaf salads, this one does not keep well once tossed in the dressing. Once toss together what you and/or your family can eat immediately.
TOOLS USED TO MAKE DORITO TACO SALAD:
- Pyrex Mixing Bowls with Lids- I love my mixing bowls with lids because then I am able to stack things up with the fridge. Plus, glass is nice for when I need to microwave whatever is in it.
- Cast Iron Skillet– A cast iron skillet is a kitchen must have. It heats evenly and gives meats a nice crust. I love browning my ground meat in this pan!
- Salad Spinner– Got this as a wedding over 10 years ago and it’s still spinning strong. Drying lettuce couldn’t be any easier!
LOOKING FOR MORE GROUND BEEF RECIPES? CHECK OUT THESE:
- The Best Ground Beef Tacos
- Easy Beef, Spinach, and Cheese Manicotti
- Baked Spaghetti
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- 10-Ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Soup
- Skillet Lasagna
Dorito Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 romaine hearts, chopped (~8 cups)
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup fire roasted corn, (canned or frozen)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 avocado
- 1 1/2 cups Nacho Doritos, broken (~3 ounces)
- 3/4 cup Catalina dressing
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Push the onions out toward the edges of the pan and turn heat up to medium-high.
- Add the ground beef and let it sit and sear for 2-3 minutes. Flip and let it cook another 2 minutes. Break meat apart with a meat chopper or wooden spoon and let it sear again. Continue to chop up and brown meat. Once browned, drain off the grease. (I like to just dump it into a large mesh sieve.)
- Add the meat/onions back to the pan along with the water and taco seasoning. Mix together, bring to simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer 10-15 minutes or until tender. Place in a bowl and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, add lettuce, beans, cheese, corn, tomatoes, and olives.
- Add the Doritos, meat, avocados, and dressing just before serving. Toss until evenly coated in dressing and serve.
So easy to make and best flavor! We love it!