Who doesn’t love picking up a burrito bowl at the end of the day? Those weighty creations are just as satisying as they are yummy. But, you can skip the long line and high prices with our taco salad recipe that is sure to bring you all those flavors you adore.
Our Taco Salad Recipe: Big Flavor in a Bowl
Taco salad is a major staple of the TexMex scene. It’s believed that the first taco salad recipe came about in the Lone Star State in the ’60s, inspired by, of course, tacos. Instead of serving or rolling ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, and salsa in the typical tortilla, they were instead mixed in a large bowl and garnished with crispy tortilla chips.
What makes taco salad so special is its simple versatility. You simply put the ingredients together according to your preferences. Crunchy vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, and bell peppers bring freshness, while fried ground beef and tortilla chips provide satisfying weight to the dish. Of coures, the best part of tacos is the balance of flavors, so sour cream and salsa are an absolute must. Homemade salsa can add a fresh element to the dish, but, if you are low on energy, canned will do as well. Anyone who likes it even spicier can give the taco salad extra oomph with spices and sauces of their taste!
Whether as a main course or as a side dish, taco salad is versatile and will elevate your lazy weeknight meals to a new level with minimal effort. Rest assured, this recipe is super easy to prepare in under 30 minutes. Start by chopping your vegetables and frying the ground beef. Now, get your sauces, salsas, creams, and cheese ready.
The real trick to our taco salad recipe is giving the salad time to soak. The longer it rests, the more time the flavors have to mingle and intensify. We suggest letting the salad soak in a large bowl, preferably overnight in the refrigerator. Our recipe is enough for eight servings, so it’s great for a large group or if you want to prepare food for several days. Shortly before you put the salad on the table for dinner or pack it to take to the office, add the tortilla chips. This way they stay nice, crunchy, and fresh.
If you’re looking for more of Mexican cuisine, try our esquites (Mexican street corn) recipe.
Salads are a good way of making sure you get a good amount of green and nutrients in your day-to-day eating. But they needn’t be dull or drab, as evidenced by our sugar snap pea salad with feta and summer salad with grilled peaches recipes.
Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 2 red bell pepper
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 can (11 oz.) canned corn drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz.) canned kidney beans drained
- ½ bunch green onions
- 14 oz sour cream or crème fraîche
- 7 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (16 oz.) salsa or fresh salsa of choice
- 1 bag bag of tortilla chips
Instructions
- In neutral oil, brown the ground beef for 5-7 minutes until crumbly. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, and cumin.
- Wash the lettuce and cut into thin strips. Wash and dice the tomatoes and bell pepper. Drain the corn and kidney beans.
- Clean and wash the green onions and chop them finely. Mix the sour cream or crème fraîche with the chopped green onions.
- In a large bowl, combine the ingredients, starting with the lettuce, then followed by the diced tomatoes and bell pepper. Now add the gorn, beans, and ground beef. You can layer the ingredients or mix them colorfully according to your taste and preference.
- Top with sour cream, salsa, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Refrigerate the salad until serving. Add the tortilla chips just before serving.
Notes
- Looking to make your salad vegetarian-friendly? No problem! Simply swap out the ground beef with a plant-based alternative such as veggie ground beef or add more kidney beans to the salad. Black beans, of course, are also phenomenal.
- Instead of green onions, you can also stir fresh herbs, lime juice, or garlic into the sour cream to add a flavorful twist.
- Of course, your ground beef can be seasoned with mixes and seasonings of your taste! Chipotle, cumin, and general taco mixes are all good choices.