This Classic Taco Salad Recipe is a simple and easy Mexican dinner that is made with ground beef, cheese and a lot of vegetables in less than 20 minutes.
Make this Classic Taco Salad Recipe if you seek a healthy and nutritious dinner that is quick and easy to make. Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to make the best taco salad recipe ever.
Check also Creamy tuna pasta salad and Easy potato salad recipe.
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Why Does This Recipe Work?
- This hearty salad is a full easy meal.
- Perfect salad for people with low carb diet.
- This ground beef taco salad is an easy dinner idea that is suitable for the whole family.
- This healthy taco salad recipe is easy to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and it so delicious it can served to a crowd.
- This beef taco salad also is low in carbs, customizable, and can be made vegetarian if you just ditch the ground beef.
- This is a classic summer recipe made with healthy taco toppings.
Taco Salad Ingredients
To cook the beef
- Ground beef: Use extra lean ground beef, you can also use ground chicken instead.
- Oil: Use extra version olive oil.
- Garlic: Garlic powder will be a good alternative.
- Taco seasoning: Use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning.
To make the salad
- Red kidney beans (Canned): You may use black beans or pinto beans instead.
- Sweetcorn: make sure to drain well.
- Green onions: You may use red onion instead.
- Cheddar cheese: Use Monterey jack or Feta cheese instead.
- Vegetables: avocado, cherry tomatoes, beetroots, and lettuce.
For the dressing
Sour cream: It adds a light texture to the Mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise: It makes your dish creamy and delicious.
Lemon juice: Or use fresh lime juice.
“See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.”
Variations & Substitutions
- You can replace sour cream with plain yoghurt and you will get the same result.
- You can add more veggies to this dish: such as bell peppers, cucumbers, parsley, or radishes.
- Also, you can add some tortilla chips or Doritos to this dish.
- Make your own taco seasoning.
- Feel free to replace the ground beef with shredded chicken breast or lean ground turkey.
- Make this dish fruity by adding some fruits such as peaches, apples, or mangos. You can also add nuts if you like.
- To add some heat to this classic recipe, add chili powder or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce.
How to Make Classic Taco Salad
To make this easy Mexican taco salad follow the below step by step instructions:
First Step - Cooke The Meat: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat then add the minced beef, minced garlic, and taco seasoning. Stir occasionally until the beef is fully cooked (about 8-10 minutes).
Second Step - Make The Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, and taco seasoning.
Third Step - Assemble The salad: In a large bowl, combine avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, beetroots, kidney beans, sweetcorn, cheddar cheese, and the cooked ground beef. Top it with the dressing and serve.
Top Tips!
- Use Romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce; it is a personal preference.
- Always use fresh ingredients.
- You don't have to use this taco salad dressing; you can use Catalina dressing or your own dressing.
For other taco salad toppings, check Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Dressing or Creamy Basil Pesto Dressing.
How To Make Taco Seasoning?
To make homemade taco seasoning combine the following ingredients:
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chilli flacks
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Some other seasonings you can use are Salad Seasoning Mix, Fish Taco Seasoning or Mediterranean Spice Mix.
How To Serve
Serve this dish as is; it is already a full meal. However, if you like to serve it with a side dish, try Crispy Chicken Patties, Oven Baked Chicken Thighs (Bone In) or Chinese Chilli Beef.
Or serve with only a drink such as Thyme Tea, Oat Milk Hot Chocolate or Iced White Chocolate Mocha.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can. Prepare all the ingredients and keep them in separate containers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Assemble the salad 10-20 minutes before serving.
No, this dish is best eaten fresh.
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Recipe Card
Classic Taco Salad Recipe (Mexican)
Equipment
Ingredients
The beef
- 500 g ground beef , extra lean
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
The salad
- 1 can kidney beans , drained
- 1 can sweetcorn , drained
- 6 green onions , chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese , grated
- 2 avocado , chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes , cut into halves
- 4 beetroots , sliced
- 1 lettuce , chopped
The dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ tablespoon taco seasonings , homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Cooke The Beef Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat then add the ground beef, minced garlic, and taco seasoning. Stir occasionally until the beef is fully cooked (about 8-10 minutes).500 g ground beef, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon taco seasoning, 2 cloves garlic
- Make The Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, and taco seasoning.1 cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoon olive oil, ¾ tablespoon taco seasonings
- Assemble The Salad: In a big salad bowl, combine avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, beetroots, kidney beans, sweetcorn, cheddar cheese, and the cooked ground beef.1 can kidney beans, 1 can sweetcorn, 6 green onions, 2 avocado, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 4 beetroots, 1 lettuce, 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Serve: Top it with the dressing and serve.
Notes
- Use Romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce; it is a personal preference.
- Always use fresh ingredients.
- You don't have to use this taco salad dressing; you can use Catalina dressing or your own dressing.
Variations
- You can replace sour cream with plain yoghurt, and you will get the same result.
- You can add more veggies to this dish: such as bell peppers, cucumbers, parsley, or radishes.
- Also, you can add some tortilla chips or Doritos to this dish.
- Make your own taco seasoning.
- Feel free to replace the ground beef with shredded chicken breast or lean ground turkey.
- Make this dish fruity by adding some fruits such as peaches, apples, or mangos. You can also add nuts if you like.
- To add some heat to this classic recipe, add chili powder or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce.
Pam
A healthy dish for lunch or dinner. Thanks!