Description
Savor Mexican-inspired zest with this ground beef taco salad, where crisp lettuce meets seasoned meat and tangy toppings. Fresh ingredients and bold flavors combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables and Toppings:
- 6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or corn chips
- ½ cup sour cream or ranch dressing
- ½ cup salsa (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium flame and crumble ground beef, cooking thoroughly until no pink remains and releasing excess grease.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning onto meat and pour water, stirring to distribute evenly. Allow mixture to simmer and reduce for several minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
- Prepare a spacious serving bowl by layering crisp chopped lettuce as the foundation for the salad.
- Scatter freshly diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced black olives, and finely chopped onions across the lettuce base.
- Carefully transfer the hot, seasoned beef directly over the vegetable mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Crush tortilla chips into rustic fragments and generously sprinkle across the top of the salad for added crunch.
- Offer accompanying condiments like tangy sour cream, creamy ranch dressing, or zesty salsa for personalized flavor enhancement.
- For optimal enjoyment, gently toss all ingredients together or serve in attractive layered presentation, allowing diners to mix components as desired.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the taco salad.
- Swap traditional tortilla chips with baked or air-fryer chips for a lighter, crispier texture without compromising flavor.
- Customize the salad for vegetarians by replacing beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans, maintaining the zesty taco seasoning profile.
- Prepare the seasoned beef ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for quick meal prep during busy weeknights, keeping the dish convenient and time-saving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 108
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 249 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg