Doritos Taco Salad is a bold and flavorful twist on the classic taco salad, combining the satisfying crunch of Doritos with fresh, vibrant ingredients.
This crowd-pleasing dish, born from creative home cooking, has gained popularity for its simplicity and adaptability.
In this guide, we’ll break down its essential components, explore customizable variations, and celebrate the joy it brings to any gathering.
Key Ingredients for Doritos Taco Salad
Making this delicious salad is quick and easy, requiring just a few staple ingredients that come together effortlessly:
- Ground Beef: Seasoned with taco spices for that signature flavor, though ground turkey or plant-based alternatives work just as well.
- Doritos: The highlight of the dish—Nacho Cheese Doritos provide an irresistible cheesy crunch.
- Lettuce: Crisp iceberg lettuce offers a refreshing contrast to the other textures.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend adds a creamy, melty touch, especially when mixed with warm beef.
- Tomatoes, Onions, and Black Olives: These bring freshness, crunch, and a pop of color.
- Dressing: Catalina dressing is a popular choice, but ranch or a zesty homemade salsa can add a flavorful twist.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco spice mix
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (9.75 oz / 275 g) seasoned tortilla chips (cheesy flavor recommended)
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- Optional toppings: sliced black olives, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat. Add the taco spice mix along with the recommended amount of water, stirring well. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion. Add the black beans and toss everything together.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad: Once the beef has cooled, add it to the bowl with the vegetables. Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese. Lightly crush the seasoned tortilla chips into bite-sized pieces and mix them into the salad.
Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve: Just before serving, add the salsa and sour cream. Toss everything until well combined. Garnish with black olives, jalapeños, and cilantro if desired.
Step 5: Enjoy Fresh: Serve immediately to keep the tortilla chips crispy and crunchy!
Customizing Your Doritos Taco Salad
One of the best things about Doritos Taco Salad is how easy it is to make it your own. Here are some ways to customize it to suit your taste:
- Protein Options: Swap out traditional ground beef for ground chicken, turkey, or even a meatless alternative like black beans or crumbled tofu.
- Dressing Choices: Catalina dressing is the classic choice, but you can mix things up with ranch, spicy salsa, or a tangy vinaigrette.
- Extra Add-Ins: Enhance the texture and flavor with ingredients like black beans, corn, diced avocado, or sliced jalapeños.
Easy Doritos Taco Salad
Doritos Taco Salad is a bold and flavorful twist on the classic taco salad, combining the satisfying crunch of Doritos with fresh, vibrant ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco spice mix
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (9.75 oz / 275 g) seasoned tortilla chips (cheesy flavor recommended)
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- Optional toppings: sliced black olives, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat. Add the taco spice mix along with the recommended amount of water, stirring well. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion. Add the black beans and toss everything together.
- Assemble the Salad: Once the beef has cooled, add it to the bowl with the vegetables. Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese. Lightly crush the seasoned tortilla chips into bite-sized pieces and mix them into the salad.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Just before serving, add the salsa and sour cream. Toss everything until well combined. Garnish with black olives, jalapeños, and cilantro if desired.
- Enjoy Fresh: Serve immediately to keep the tortilla chips crispy and crunchy!