Taco salad is a popular dish that originated in the United States and is inspired by Mexican cuisine. It typically includes a mixture of various ingredients commonly found in traditional tacos, but instead of being served in a taco shell, the components are combined in a large bowl or on a plate.
Taco Salad
4
servings30
minutesThe main components of a taco salad often include:
Ingredients
- For the salad
1 pound (450g) ground beef or ground turkey
1 packet of taco seasoning mix (or homemade taco seasoning)
1 head of lettuce (romaine or iceberg), shredded
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
1/2 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 cup crushed tortilla chips (optional)
- For the dressing
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
Directions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning mix and water according to the package instructions, and simmer for a few minutes until the flavors meld. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by mixing sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and taco seasoning. Adjust the seasonings to taste. If the dressing is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of water or milk.
- In a large salad bowl, layer the shredded lettuce as the base.
- Top the lettuce with the cooked and seasoned ground meat.
- Arrange the cherry tomatoes, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, black olives, jalapeños, and cilantro (if using) over the meat.
- Drizzle the dressing over the top of the salad.
- Just before serving, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top to add some crunch and texture.
- Toss the salad gently to combine all the ingredients and evenly distribute the dressing.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious taco salad!