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Hearty Ground Beef 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

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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