Simple Doritos Taco Salad (Printable Version)
Crunchy Doritos, seasoned beef, romaine, cheddar, and tangy dressing for a quick Tex-Mex meal.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Seasonings
02 - 1 packet (about 1 ounce) taco seasoning
03 - 1/4 cup water
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
→ Cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Chips
10 - 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, slightly crushed
→ Dressing
11 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing or Catalina dressing
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until fully browned, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula. Drain excess fat and discard.
02 - Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water to the beef. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has reduced and the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a large salad bowl, gently toss together chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, black beans, corn, and shredded cheddar cheese.
04 - Add the cooled taco beef mixture to the salad bowl.
05 - Just before serving, add crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos and your choice of ranch or Catalina dressing to the bowl. Toss gently until combined and serve immediately while the chips remain crisp.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- When you need dinner fast with maximum flavor, this salad always saves the day—nobody suspects how easy it is.
- It's surprisingly customizable so everyone at the table can have it exactly the way they like.
02 -
- Letting the beef cool just a bit before mixing in prevents wilting the lettuce and soggy chips—which I learned after my first rushed (and sad) attempt.
- Toss the chips in right at the table; they go from crisp to mush in minutes if added too soon.
03 -
- A wooden spoon makes breaking up beef easier and gives a perfect crumble.
- Toss with your hands (gloved or clean) for the gentlest mixing—chips stay crisp longer.