Description
This vibrant Taco Salad combines seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and crunchy tortilla chips, all topped with cheesy, creamy, and zesty flavors. Perfect for a quick and hearty meal, this salad layers fresh shredded lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, black beans, and tangy salsa for a balanced and flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 2 cups lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup tortilla chips, crushed
Seasoned Ground Beef
- 1 cup ground beef, cooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil to prepare for cooking the beef.
- Cook the beef: Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon as it cooks until it is fully browned and cooked through.
- Season the beef: Sprinkle chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over the beef and stir well, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
- Set beef aside: Remove the skillet from heat and allow the seasoned beef to cool slightly while you assemble the salad.
- Add salad base: In a large bowl, place the shredded lettuce as the base layer of the salad.
- Add veggies and beans: Top the lettuce with halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and rinsed black beans.
- Add cooked beef: Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef over the vegetables in the bowl.
- Add cheese and olives: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and sliced olives on top of the beef layer.
- Add crunch: Crush tortilla chips by hand and scatter them over the salad to add texture and crunch.
- Add creamy toppings: Drizzle sour cream and salsa evenly over the entire salad to finish off the flavors.
- Toss gently: Toss the salad gently to evenly combine all ingredients without wilting the lettuce.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and add additional salt and pepper if needed to suit your preference.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures of this taco salad.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or textured vegetable protein.
- Add avocado slices or guacamole for extra creaminess.
- Use gluten-free tortilla chips to make this salad gluten-free.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the chili powder.
