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Dorito Taco Salad

A fast and customizable taco-flavored salad that's perfect for busy weeknights, featuring crunchy Doritos and creamy dressing.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Meat and Seasoning
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning)
  • 1/2 cup water
Salad Ingredients
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 large tomato, diced)
  • 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed (or canned, drained)
  • 4 pieces green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1 large avocado, diced (optional)
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup salsa (mild or medium, depending on your crew)
  • 1 packet Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed (about 3–4 cups)
  • 1/2 cup Catalina or ranch dressing (or use 1 cup if you prefer extra dressing)
  • 1 pieces lime wedges, for serving
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink — about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the meat is nicely coated — about 3–4 minutes. Taste and add salt/pepper if needed. Let the meat cool slightly.
  3. While the meat cooks, chop the romaine, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the green onions, and dice the avocado. Rinse and drain the black beans and corn.
  4. In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and salsa. If you want it thinner, add a tablespoon of water or lime juice. Taste and adjust — a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lime can brighten it up.
Assembly
  1. In a large salad bowl, add the chopped lettuce. Sprinkle in half the crushed Doritos, half the cheese, tomatoes, beans, corn, green onions, and cilantro.
  2. Spoon the warm taco meat over the salad. The warmth slightly softens the chips and melts the cheese — heavenly.
  3. Drizzle the Catalina or ranch dressing over the salad, then add the creamy salsa dressing in dollops. Finish with the remaining crushed Doritos and cheese. Toss gently so you keep some crunchy pockets of chips.
  4. Serve immediately with lime wedges and extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.

Notes

Keep the Doritos separate until ready to serve for optimal crunch. For a vegetarian option, use seasoned black beans and crumbled tofu.