A salad with tacos? What a great combination that would be! Today I will introduce you to my favorite signature recipe of a taco salad which is not only healthy with loads of leafy vegetables but also quick to make. My family enjoys this taco salad as a veggie-heavy meal on days we want to add some Mexican flavor to our meals!
I love to add greens to my diet because nothing beats healthy nutrition when it comes to vegetables. Greens with some tacos are such a great combination as you enjoy the delicious taste of tacos as well as the healthy benefits of veggies.
It is simple to make as you only need some sliced lettuce to add to the classic ingredients of tacos. If you prepare the ingredients early on then you can always get the tacos ready at the last moment and this is the sole reason why taco salad is amazing for packing lunches for your loved ones.
WHAT GOES INTO A TACO SALAD?
You can add multiple things to your taco, for me I like to add some carne asada, carnitas, pulled pork, and shrimp. I also like to add some ground beef to the tacos which adds a classic flavor to them as well. Other fancy ingredients I use are as follows:
BEGIN WITH A GREEN BASE
Before adding any topping to the taco, I make a strong base so that the taco does not fall apart. I like the base to be crunchy so I add iceberg lettuce or romaine lettuce for this reason. If I can't find any of these then I use green leaf lettuce or radicchio lettuce.
ADD MEAT
After the base is done, the next step for me is to add some beef that is cooked and sliced into small bites. This adds more flavor but if I want a bit lighter taco then I add turkey or chicken to it.
USE TOPPINGS
Any type of toppings can work on tacos but for me, I like to add loads of shredded cheese, homemade avocado, salsa, black beans, tomatoes, etc. But you can always add anything you like as a topping to your taco salad.
I sometimes add drizzle lime crema or a dollop of sour cream for adding a creamy flavor to it along with crumbled tortilla chips, bell peppers, jalapeños, radishes, and corn.
HOW TO MAKE A TACO SALAD
After the ingredients of your tacos are ready, you can start making your tacos with the following recipe.
- To start with, cook the meat. In a skillet over medium-high intensity, include the ground hamburger. Split it up into little pieces and sauté for around 8-10 minutes until it's for the most part seared. Then, at that point, channel the fat.
- Season the meat. Include the taco preparation and combine everything as one for one more little while.
- Collect the serving of mixed greens. Add the slashed lettuce to the lower part of the bowl. Then layer the ground hamburger, beans, tomatoes, cheddar, red onion, and avocado on top. Furthermore, for the last contacts, bit the hand-crafted salsa, sharp cream, a spurt of lime juice, and a couple of leaves of new cilantro.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN TACO SALAD RECIPE
Like all salad recipes, you can redo it, however, you would prefer. I've referenced a couple of scrumptious increments above. However, in the event that you have dietary requirements, simply trade or bar a couple of fixings.
- Whole30: Keep this Whole30 by leaving off the chips, and cheddar. Then, at that point, trade harsh cream for cashew acrid cream.
- Keto: Fortunate for you, this recipe is essentially keto. Simply eliminate the tortilla chips.
- Mushroom pecan taco meat-Just sauté diced mushrooms and pecans in a search for gold for 6 minutes. Then mix in some tamari and taco preparation. This will give it an exquisite and smoky flavor.
- Vegetarian: Rather than ground meat, make your own:
- Paleo: Just eliminate the beans and include more vegetables, for example, chime peppers or radishes.
FAQ's
Is there taco in taco salad?
Yes, taco salad contains tacos that is why it is called taco salad. It contains all the ingredients that a classic taco has.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the delicious and easy taco salad is just a great fit for making your daily lunch with a taste of tacos. It will never disappoint you!
Taco Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz. packet taco seasoning, see notes for homemade recipe
- 16 oz. salsa, divided
- ¾ cup sour cream, divided
- 1 avocado
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 head iceberg or romaine lettuce, chopped and clean
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 Jalapeno Peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup whole kernel corn, drained
- ¼ cup black olives, drained and sliced
- ⅓ cup red onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 4 oz. Tortilla Chips
Instructions
Prep Work
- For the dressing: Combine ⅓ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup salsa, and ½ tablespoon taco seasoning. Set aside.
- Slice the avocado in half lengthwise, remove the pit, and scoop the pulp into a small bowl. Add lime juice and ⅛ tsp. salt and use the back of a fork to mash it. Cover tightly with saran wrap and set aside.
Cook the Meat Mixture
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, cook and crumble for 7 minutes, or until brown and cooked through. Drain grease.
- Reduce heat to low. Add 2 tablespoons taco seasoning and toss to coat. Add the ¾ cup salsa and cilantro. Add additional salsa if desired. Cover partially while you prepare the salad.
Assemble the Salad
- Add the lettuce to serving plates or a large salad bowl. Sprinkle with the meat mixture.
- Top with diced tomatoes, peppers, black beans, corn, black olives, onions, and cheese.
- Top with mashed avocado then add a dollop of sour cream to each serving.
- Drizzle with salad dressing or serve it on the side.
- Sprinkle with tortilla chips and serve!
Notes
- Cheese: Cheddar and Monterey Jack can also be used
- Easy Shortcuts: Use pre-washed lettuce, prepared guacamole instead of avocado, and pico de gallo instead of diced tomatoes.
- If your salsa is very thick, you may choose to add a splash of water or beef/chicken broth to the meat mixture. I use Pace salsa for this recipe.
- Taco Seasoning sometimes contains cornstarch. I include a homemade recipe for the taco seasoning in the notes section of the recipe card, but if using a packet, consider adding a little water or broth to the meat mixture if it becomes too thick.
- Ground turkey may be used instead of beef.
- Doritos can be added instead of tortilla chips.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 days. The meat mixture can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
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