The Best Hearty Ground Beef Taco Salad Recipe For Family Dinners

Weeknight dinners demand something quick and delicious, and this ground beef taco salad recipe hits the spot with its vibrant flavors and satisfying crunch.

Packed with seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, and zesty toppings, the taco salad brings Mexican-inspired cuisine right to your dinner table.

Fresh ingredients combine to create a meal that’s both nutritious and mouthwatering.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory meat, crunchy vegetables, and tangy dressing.

The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy households seeking a flavorful solution.

Colorful and filling, this taco salad will quickly become a family favorite that everyone craves.

Prepare to be delighted by this simple yet spectacular dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 108 kcal

Servings: 4

The Good Stuff Inside This Taco Salad

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty, rich flavor and substantial protein for the taco salad, choose lean cuts for healthier option.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers authentic Mexican-inspired spice blend that transforms plain meat into zesty filling.

• Lettuce: Crisp base that adds refreshing texture and light green foundation for the salad.
• Tomatoes: Juicy red component that brings brightness and tangy sweetness to the dish.
• Red Onions: Sharp, pungent flavor that adds bite and subtle aromatic depth.
• Black Olives: Briny, rich element that contributes Mediterranean-style flavor complexity.

• Shredded Cheese: Creamy, melty component that adds richness and classic Tex-Mex character.
• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy texture provider that gives satisfying breaking element to the salad.
• Sour Cream, Ranch, Salsa: Optional creamy or zesty sauces that enhance overall flavor profile and allow personalization.

Tools That Keep This Meal Fast & Flavorful

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef evenly and simmering with taco seasoning.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining crisp salad ingredients and creating a colorful base.
• Colander or strainer: Helps drain excess fat from cooked ground beef quickly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring beef and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping fresh vegetables like tomatoes and onions.
• Chef's knife: Needed to slice vegetables with precision.

How to Build This Bowl Just Right

• Brown The Beef

Heat a skillet and sizzle ground beef until it turns golden and crumbly. Drain away any extra grease for a lighter meal.

• Spice It Up

Sprinkle taco seasoning into the beef and let it bubble gently, creating a rich and zesty flavor profile that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Build Your Salad Base

Toss crisp lettuce with juicy tomatoes, tangy cheese, briny olives, and sharp onions in a large bowl for a colorful foundation.

• Layer The Goodness

Heap the warm, seasoned beef right on top of your fresh veggie mix, letting the heat mingle with the cool ingredients.

• Add Crunch And Extras

Crush tortilla chips over the salad for a satisfying crackle. Dollop on sour cream, drizzle ranch, or splash salsa according to your mood.

• Mix Or Stack

Either gently toss everything together for a fully combined dish or create a layered presentation that lets everyone customize their plate.

Change It Up with Flavor Swaps & Add-Ins

• Prep beef and veggies separately, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, allowing quick assembly when hunger strikes.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian-friendly version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• Skip tortilla chips and use crispy lettuce leaves as a base, or sprinkle with pork rinds for crunch without adding extra carbohydrates.
• Adjust heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning, or mix your own blend with cayenne pepper to match personal preference.
• Pack ingredients separately in lunch containers to keep chips crisp and salad fresh, perfect for work or school lunches that stay delicious until mealtime.

Sides & Toppings That Elevate Every Bite

• Fiesta Fun Plating: Create a colorful taco salad bar where everyone can customize their own dish with various toppings like extra cheese, jalapeños, or fresh cilantro.
• Meal Companion Magic: Pair this taco salad with Mexican-style rice, refried beans, or warm cornbread to complete the dining experience and add extra flavor dimensions.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve the ingredients separately in individual bowls, allowing family members to assemble their salads according to personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Leftover Transformation: Use remaining taco beef in burritos, quesadillas, or over nachos the next day for a quick and delicious meal repurposing option.

Leftovers? Here’s How to Store Them Well

• Store this taco salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep crispy tortilla chips separate to maintain their crunch.
• Prepare beef and chop vegetables ahead of time. Store components in separate containers for easy assembly during busy weeknights.
• Reheat beef separately and add to fresh greens to revive the salad's texture. Mix ingredients just before serving to prevent soggy lettuce.
• Ground beef can be cooked and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using in the taco salad recipe.

Hearty Ground Beef Taco Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy ground beef taco salad delivers a fiesta of flavors in every colorful bite. Crisp lettuce, seasoned meat, and zesty toppings create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or corn chips
• ½ cup sour cream or ranch dressing
• ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
• ½ cup diced red onion
• ½ cup salsa (optional)
• 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
• ¾ cup (180 ml) water

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly cooking and eliminating excess grease. Incorporate taco seasoning and a measured amount of water, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for several minutes.
2. Salad Assembly: Layer crisp lettuce as the foundational base, strategically arranging diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced olives, and finely chopped onions across the surface.
3. Protein Placement: Distribute the warm, seasoned beef evenly over the vegetable mixture, ensuring balanced flavor distribution.
4. Finishing Touches: Garnish the salad with crunchy tortilla chip fragments and personalize with optional toppings like tangy sour cream, creamy ranch dressing, or zesty salsa.
5. Serving Technique: Gently toss ingredients to blend flavors or present as a layered composition, allowing diners to customize their culinary experience.

Notes

• Remove excess grease completely to prevent a soggy salad and reduce unnecessary calories.
• Adjust taco seasoning according to personal spice preference, using less for mild or more for bold flavor.
• Serve chips and sour cream on the side to keep ingredients crisp and allow individual customization.
• Chop vegetables and cook beef in advance for quick assembly, making this a perfect meal prep or weeknight dinner option.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg