Description
Crisp lettuce meets zesty taco magic in this mouthwatering Taco Salad that brings Mexican-inspired flavors right to your plate. Crunchy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, and fresh toppings create a quick, satisfying meal that will make your taste buds dance with delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Fruits:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 packet (28 grams) taco seasoning
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) tortilla chips, crushed
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly cook ground beef until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from beef and mix in taco seasoning, ensuring even coating and developing robust flavor profiles.
- Slice crisp romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and halve cherry tomatoes for fresh, vibrant textures.
- Prepare avocado just moments before assembling the salad to prevent browning and maintain peak freshness.
- Select a spacious serving bowl and create strategic layers, starting with seasoned ground beef as the protein foundation.
- Cascade romaine lettuce over beef, creating a verdant green base for subsequent ingredients.
- Distribute halved cherry tomatoes and diced avocado across the salad for color contrast and nutritional diversity.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese, allowing it to meld with warm beef layers.
- Crush tortilla chips directly over the salad, providing a satisfying crunch and traditional Mexican-inspired element.
- Finish with a delicate drizzle of cool sour cream or tangy yogurt to balance the warm meat and crisp vegetables.
- Gently toss all components together, ensuring every bite captures the complete spectrum of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to create a quick weeknight meal that comes together in less than 15 minutes.
- Add extra crunch by using different types of chips like corn tortilla chips, Doritos, or even baked chips for a healthier twist.
- Control spice levels by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning and adjusting according to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg