Taco Salad
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With taco-seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, beans, avocado and cheese! Top with a dollop of sour cream. So quick, so good!
Who doesn’t love a good taco salad? With crisp romaine lettuce, taco-seasoned ground beef, Roma tomatoes, red onion, pinto beans, diced avocado and shredded Mexican blend cheese, this salad always delivers. So good, you don’t even need a dressing.
Top with a dollop of sour cream and a few dashes of hot sauce, and you will be set. But if you prefer a dressing, this cilantro lime dressing pairs beautifully with all the taco-flavored goodness here.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can swap out the beef for chicken or turkey, and you can also add more of your favorite taco toppings – pico de gallo, guacamole, any kind of salsa, bell peppers – you name it. This comes together quick though, making this 100% weeknight worthy.
Serve with all the crunchy tortilla chips and leftover beer you used for the recipe for a full-rounded meal.
TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE
DO I HAVE TO USE GROUND BEEF?
Not at all! Ground pork or ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef.
WHAT HOT SAUCE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
We love Cholula for this recipe.
DO YOU RECOMMEND A DRESSING?
A dollop of sour cream and a few dashes of hot sauce will do wonders but if a dressing is needed, we highly recommend this one!
Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water or beer
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Cholula
- 1 head romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 avocado, halved, peeled, seeded and diced
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and thinly sliced, optional
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in taco seasoning, water or beer and hot sauce until flavors have blended, about 2-3 minutes.
- To assemble the salad, place romaine in a large bowl; top with ground beef, tomatoes, onion, beans, avocado, cheese, cilantro, sour cream and jalapeno.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
Am I missing something here? In reading the comments, chorizo is mentioned and many of the comments refer to canned fruits and vegetables. Is it possible that these comments for an entirely different recipe?
I thought the salad was good, but the dressing was so much better when I added salt and pepper (1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of pepper). I will also use more lettuce next time as I thought the portions were a bit small for a “meal” salad. All in all, the chorizo really elevated it for me and I’ll be making it again (with the changes above).
This was an excellent quarantine meal to have! So fresh and we could use stuff we had. We forgot to get corn, but added olives and had a can of trio beans. The vinaigrette was really great and fresh. Next time we’ll try the chorizo, we only had beef. Thanks for the recipe!!
I tried this salad although I really only used the chorizo, black beans, and lettuce. I also made the vinaigrette. This salad is delicious! Never thought I’d say that about salad.
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My mouth is watering, and I’m ready for lunch after checking out this recipe! I’m putting together a post for my lifestyle blog, Kelsey Says, on salads you actually want to eat. Considering my reaction, I’m sure my readers will love it as well. I also love your photographs and would like to use one in the post. I would credit you, and link back to the site, of course, for both the recipe and the photo. Let me know if you have any problem with this.
Thanks, and enjoy your day!
Thank you for the feature, Kelsey! I just ask that you do not republish the recipe.
Pingback: 30 days of delicious salads — Homegrown & Healthy
Tweeted: @rosannepm
I stock tomatoes and peaches
I love pears and peaches.
I always have peaches and green beans
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/431581818748694528
I keep beans, tomatoes and for fruit peaches and pears always on hand
Here is my tweet link: https://twitter.com/thriftymaven/status/431577741079486465
Del Monte tomatoes are an essential staple in our pantry
Green beans! Goes great with anything!
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/431562695750729728
https://twitter.com/dddiva/status/431559962800963584
I like to keep tomatoes and pineapple.
canned southern-style mixed beans
I like lots, bananas, avocados, and all kinds of greens.
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/431506751385776129
I like to stock up on canned corn and green beans.
Peaches are my favorite.
I always have canned pears and peaches in the pantry.
You would find apples and pears in my pantry 🙂
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/431454293007151104
I love to stock up on bananas my son eats them before his basketball games
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/431443131410563073
I love love love black olives and eat them by the can-full for meals sometimes (I know, I know, not good for me LOL), so I always have them in my pantry.
I usually keep pineapple and tomatoes on hand.
I like to have green beans, potatoes and onions in my pantry.
https://twitter.com/wikichoco/status/431408666835943424
I like to keep green beans & peaches in my pantry
corn, tomatoes, spinach
I like to stock apricots and canned peas in my pantry!
look so fresh n yum!
i keep canned tomatoes always
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/431282061425799168
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Peas, mandarin oranges, pineapples and corn
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/431281395701268480
corn and tomatoes!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/JustMarriedMom3/status/431266041331982337
boylaneely at hotmail dot com
I always keep strawberries stocked when they’re in season.
boylaneely at hotmail dot com
I always have beans and tomatoes
canned peaches
https://twitter.com/ardy22/status/431182085907156992
Always have canned corn and beans stocked.
I love to have canned pears stocked in my pantry. I can never have enough of them. susansmoaks at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/431145124480163840
I like to stock up on canned corn and green beans as well as canned peaches.
We always have cucumbers available. We use them in salads and the kids eat them as snacks.
We keep canned peaches, pears and pineapple in the cupboard year round. And as for that taco salad, I’m making that for dinner tonight for sure.
I always have tangerines.
I always stock up on pineapples and tomatoes.
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/431091739500089344
I stock peaches and peas.
I like to keep sliced peaches and applesauce in my pantry for a quick snack or a dessert.
I always keep canned veggies in stock, like corn, when it’s in the winter. In the summer I like to have corn on the cob.
Canned green beans are the fave here. We have them pretty often so we keep a bunch in the pantry. My daughter is crazy about peaches, so we always keep some on hand too.
My favorite is Pineapple. It can be used in so many different recipes or just eaten by itself.
I have corn, green beans, and peaches in my pantry. I also have tomatoes and pineapple.
apples and pears
I like to stock up on peaches and tomatoes
Jicama because it’s so versatile.
ky2here at msn dot com
My favorite to stock are diced tomatoes.
I like to keep in stock canned corn, peas and tomatoes, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, pickles, olives and jars of artichoke hearts. Can always make something quick with those on hand.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/430616025370226688
I keep a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in my pantry but my favorites are peaches, corn, green beans and tomato products.
https://twitter.com/ddx155/status/430468452264837120
We keep tomatoes, beans and peaches
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/430441243051851776
peaches, corn, green beans
canned tomatoes, green beans and peaches
We love to stock up on mushrooms, potatoes, peaches, pears and peas!
https://twitter.com/channynn/status/430154996748132352
Mmmm, we like green beans in our house and it’s always good to have them on hand.
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/430094954606919680
I love to have canned peaches and corn 😉
I try to keep a pretty good supply of several fruits and vegetables on hand, but the mainstay is tomatoes, in various forms.
I posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/429841991539503104
i usually always have canned corn, green beans, peaches and a variety of canned tomatoes in my pantry
I go to Sam’s Club and buy cases of veggies. Corn and green beans are my must-haves. I do love a lot of variety, though.
I always have canned tomatoes, pineapple, peaches, and green beans in my pantry.
smchester at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/429286287707611138
peaches are my pick
I like to keep green chilis in my pantry
i love canned corn and beans
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/428723090588061696
my favorite veggies to have on hand are beets and corn, and I like to have peaches
nannypanpan@gmail.com
I always have canned tomatoes and pumpkin!
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/428538550431145984
I love to stock up on canned green beans and pineapple chunks.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/gabbymarshall2/status/428353918607712256
I keep green beans, corn, and new potatoes on hand, and apples and bananas!
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/427990110416564225
I like green beans and tomatos
My favorite pantry veggies are onions & potatoes.
I like to stock green beans, all types of canned tomatoes, baby sweet peas and pineapple slices.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/coriwestphal/status/427263155836682240
coriwestphal at msn dot com
My kids love manderin oranges, so we always keep those around. And corn and green beans because they go with so many different meals!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I always keep corn and green beans.
My favorite fruits and vegetables to have in the pantry are peas, green beans, apricots, & peaches.
tweeted https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/426383625861337088
I usually have corn, mixed vegetables and pineapple chunks cans in my pantry
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/426117439114342400
I keep corn beans and canned tomatoes
I always have peas, corn, and diced tomatoes in my pantry.
We always have apples and bananas. Much more in the summer!
I like having corn, green beans, and peaches always on hand.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/smash906/status/425473938307563523
We stock up on corn, peas and peaches
My favorite fruits are peaches and pineapple. My favorite veggies are beans and black olives.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/didyouyarnthat/status/425006361832095744
tweeted at
https://twitter.com/fernglade77/status/424994444710907904
My favorite fruit to stock in my pantry are apples.
Entered the giveaway! This salad looks delicious, I’m definitely going to make it this coming week. https://twitter.com/hera_syed/status/424418567807709184
What a colorful salad! I’m ready to be done with soups and casseroles and eat some fruits and veggies again.
I always keep canned tomato products on hand along with canned peaches, pineapple, and mandarin oranges. Thanks!
i tweeted here: https://twitter.com/AngeloCombine/status/424342191553536000
i stock up on canned corn and tomatoes
I like to stock green beans and pineapple
I stock up on canned tomatoes and beans.
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/1prizewinner/status/423601048448536576
I like to keep tomatoes and artichoke hearts!
I like having fruit on hand, like pineapples, especially for crazy mornings!
I like to keep corn and tomatoes on hand!
Tweeted for a second entry
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/423133242058096640
My favorite vegetables to stock in the pantry are sweetcorn, carrots, green beans and beans. I love to choose them all in a variety of recipes but I have to admit I am rather obsessed with green bean casserole at the moment!
My favorite fruits to store are tangerines, pineapple and peaches! My children love to eat them straight from the cans and I like to use them in trifles.
I stock green beans and corn
I posted a tweet too: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/422904348113649664
Corn, canned fruits and every single type of tomato!
I keep crushed pineapple, for my Zucchini Pineapple Bread, and for my Kale, pineapple, and coconut milk smoothies. Pumpkin to use with Brownie box mix, instead of eggs and oil, making the brownies only 110 calories a square. and yummy!!
https://twitter.com/HuggingItOut/status/422826741384491008
We love to stock up on canned peaches, fruit cocktail, corn, garbanzo beans, waxed beans and my favorite, sliced beets.
Corn, fire roasted tomatoes and peaches.
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/422586895550275584
I keep canned peaches on hand for peach pies.
I always have cans of corn
I stock up on corn and green beans.
2nd entry
https://twitter.com/bdiane35/status/421906380275318784
I like to keep string green beans, corn, and peas in the pantry at all times, we use them often.
I love having canned baby corn and artichoke hearts on hand!
Carrots, spinach and boccoli
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/421860586092101632
I like to stock canned beans and pineapple in my pantry
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/421849485635887104
I stock up on green beans, tomatoes, peaches and pears.
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/421780949513142273
I like to stock canned corn, peas, beets, and tropical fruit.
We always have corn & green beans on hand! We love them!
I always have corn and green beans in my cabinets.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/421430710009073664
Have to have tomatoes with green chilies, mushrooms and pineapple.
Thank you.
i love to keep mandarin oranges on hand for snacking
Several types of tomatoes, peaches, green beans, corn and pineapple
I always keep a variety of dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates) on hand for snacks and add-ins to recipes.
I like to keep apples stocked year round.
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/421017604451336192
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I always have peas and pineapples in my pantry. they are so good. I love your gorgeous salad. can’t wait to try it out.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Well doesn’t that just look like the best salad ever?!
Lots, always have a variety of beans (black,red,chili) and green beans, corn.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/420934415565344768
corn – for turkey noodle soup!!!
We keep tomato cans handy for chilli
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/420835575122632704
I stock lots of corn, beans, and pineapples
Peas are my favorite veggie to have on hand
Mmmm, I’m looking for a good taco salad recipe. This looks delicious.
Oops, I forgot to answer the question while salivating at the thought of this salad. My favorite fruits are bananas, mangoes, strawberries, and pineapples, all stockpiled in my freezer when they get too ripe to be used in smoothies later. Veggies? Pretty much anything except brussel sprouts.
Corn, tomatoes and pineapple
I always have apples, onions and lettuce. Then there is the huge variety of canned veggies/beans in the pantry.
You put chorizo on a salad; this is why I love you. Seriously I want to dig into this right now.
corn and tomatoes!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I love taco salads and your lime vinaigrette sounds so good. I always stock my pantry with Del Monte tomatoes!
Black olives, banana pickles and canned No salt added tomato are essential for my pantry!
I love stocking up on sweet corn and green beans!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I always have onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers on hand. My daughter likes fresh veggies for snacking.
My favorite stocked fruit is peaches and pears!! ky_grandma40@yahoo.com
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/420610110281363456
Peaches, corn, pears and green beans are usually found in my pantry.
I keep peas, corn and peaches.
I tweeted with “#SweepstakesEntry”
I want to thank you for this awesome sweep 🙂
Fabulous salad to start New Year with!
I love taco salad! And, we always have canned corn and diced tomatoes on hand. Pantry staples, for sure! 🙂
mandarin oranges and pineapple
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/420575117408616449
I LOVE tomatoes 🙂 From fat, juicy tomatoes off the vine to cherry tomatoes! They’re all so good 🙂 Lately, I’ve also started developing a thing for cucumbers. I don’t know why, but suddenly I am finding them super delicious 🙂
I stock everything in my pantry: cranberries, beans of all types/sizes, green beans, corn, pineapples, potatoes, etc etc etc. I am a cannery!
i subsitute the beef for chicken or fish.
This salad looks AMAZING!!
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/420437561467600896
we love peas, corn and green beans, peaches and pears as well.
I stock up on canned peaches, pears, corn, strings beans , baked beans and diced tomatoes.
I like to stock my pantry with potatoes and green beans.
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/lolaviolets2010/status/420400807742160896
lola_violets_2010{at}yahoo{dot}com
That looks yummy! I love stocking green beans and tomatoes in my pantry as well as corn.
Thank you for the nice giveaway!
lola_violets_2010{at}yahoo{dot}com
I’ll go with kidney beans, green beans, corn and mandarin oranges
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/420383520377143296
I like raspberries and blackberries the most!
I like to stock up on canned fruit, like fruit cocktail or pineapple chunks. Thanks so much
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/420378338905952256
we stock up on canned sweet corn and lots of peas. also pinapple
potatoes and onions along with oranges and lemons for juice or zest to add
I have corn, green beans, peas, tomatoes, kidney beans, peaches, and mixed
fruit in my kitchen pantry.
I always have canned corn, canned peas and canned pineapple on hand!
I keep a lot of canned pineapple stocked up in our pantry. I love it on a ton of things and its so healthy.
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/420348005623926784
I keep canned green beans, tomatoes, and peaches stocked in my pantry.
My favorite to stock up on are green beans and peaches
I always keep pears, creamed corn, and tomatoes stocked.
I keep corn, tomatoes, peaches, and sweet potatoes in my pantry.
austma7@aol.com
My favorite fruits and vegetables to have in stock are sweet potatoes, blueberries, sweet cherries, tomatoes, and peppers. 🙂
I always have pineapple…A good roast is always wonderful in the crockpot.
I have corn in my pantry.
I usually stock up on green beans.
tweeted: https://twitter.com/itzia/status/420330826354917376
my favorites to keep stocked are canned corn and green beans.
I always stock up on green beans and corn.
This is one good lookin’ taco salad. I quit making resolutions a few years ago because I never actually kept them. I suppose I’m stuck in my ways. Happy New Year!
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/420286928970211328
My favorites are canned pineapples and corn.
I always have diced tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, corn and pineapple chunks on hand.
I like to stock up on canned beans and tomatoes
I love that this salad is filled to the brim with toppings! That always makes the salad more enjoyable to eat 🙂
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/420273757668642816
I like to stock canned tomatoes, kidney beans and corn.
I would definitely eat more salads if they all looked like this. 🙂
I always have beans, corn and diced tomatoes ready to go. This salad looks absolutely delicious.
This salad looks taco-licious! (sorry, had to. :)) Pinning!
You are adorable! Miss you, friend!
I keep canned tomatoes on hand
This taco salad looks like perfect, gorgeous and filled with flavor!
I always have apples, tomatoes, and carrots on hand.
This honestly looks like the best taco salad I’ve ever seen! Your photos are stunning! Thanks for this recipe. I have it pinned and excited to try it out!
Looks like I’m gonna have to stock up on more beans ( kidney, black, garbanzo) in my pantry as this recipe is just begging to be made! Thanks for the delicious looking salad tip!
Looks great. Pinning this one. Well be having this for dinner tomorrow night
I always have diced tomatoes on hand-just for stuff like this! Love this taco salad. Pinning it now!
my 2nd entry tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/420187649236668417
jslbrown-03 at yahoo dot com
I like to keep green beans, corn, tomatoes, and peaches in my pantry.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
you can’t go wrong with a good taco salad – this looks so fresh and delicious!
This looks amazing! I’m such a sucker for taco salads–I can’t get enough of them. Gorgeous pictures too 🙂
Love this lightened up version of the classic! This looks perfect – from the salad to that tangy, lime vinaigrette! Yum!
this meal looks tremendous–taco salad is a weekly occurrence at my house! i always, always keep my pantry stocked with tomatoes, corn, and black beans. 🙂
Girl this looks AWESOME! I have a salad post coming soon and a few healthier/savory recipes and I could stare at your pics all.day.long. I admire your work, so much! I hope you know that! 🙂 pinned
That means so much coming from you! 🙂