Description

Dorito Taco Salad is a fun and flavorful salad loaded with seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, cheddar cheese, and crunchy nacho cheese Doritos tossed in a creamy Catalina-ranch dressing. It’s a family favorite that’s perfect for potlucks, game days, and weeknight dinners, combining savory and crunchy textures with a tangy dressing for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Beef Mixture

1 lb lean ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
¼ cup water

Salad

1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup diced red onion

Dressing

½ cup Catalina dressing
½ cup ranch dressing

Toppings

4 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
Sliced black olives (optional)
Chopped cilantro (optional)

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Instructions

Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease to keep the salad light.
Add seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet along with ¼ cup water, then simmer the mixture gently for 3–5 minutes to develop flavor. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, drained black beans, corn kernels, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced red onion. Add the cooked beef mixture to this bowl.
Mix the dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Catalina and ranch dressings until fully combined and smooth.
Toss the salad: Pour the combined dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything gently to coat all components evenly without wilting the lettuce.
Add the Doritos: Just before serving, fold in the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos carefully to maintain their crunch and add a burst of flavor.
Garnish and serve: Optionally, top the salad with sliced black olives and chopped cilantro for added color and zest.

Notes

Add diced avocado for extra creaminess and healthy fats.
Wait to add Doritos until serving to keep them crunchy and fresh.
Leftovers are best stored without the chips to avoid sogginess; add fresh Doritos when reheating.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican-American