Easy Taco Salad with Doritos
Looking for the best taco salad recipe with Doritos? This easy taco salad is loaded with seasoned ground beef, crunchy chips, shredded cheese, and a bold flavor from ranch and taco seasoning. Topped with a creamy blend of ranch and Western dressing, it’s a family-friendly dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Taco anything is always a hit in our house. While my mom was always making this taco salad when I was growing up, I also recommend these taco-inspired recipes like baked ground beef tacos, low-carb taco lasagna, taco sticks, and taco hamburger helper skillet.
🥗 Why You’ll Love This Easy Taco Salad
This isn’t your average taco salad recipe. The seasoned ground beef is flavored with both taco seasoning and ranch seasoning mix, giving it an extra punch of flavor. Paired with crunchy tortilla chips, fresh veggies, shredded cheese, and a sweet-and-savory ranch and Western dressing combo, this taco salad is quick, easy, and delicious!
Easy Taco Salad Ingredients
The ingredients for this super easy taco salad are similar ingredients you would to make tacos. In typical Leah fashion, there are a few changeups in this recipe. To start, the taco meat isn’t your typical taco seasoning meat. I used taco seasoning. Yes, I did. But I also add Ranch seasoning. It gives the meat extra creaminess.
Pull these simple ingredients together:
- Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Cheese
- Western Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Nacho Cheese Doritos
- Optional Ingredients – Black beans, corn, olives, avocado
🔥 How to Make Taco Salad with Ranch and Western Dressing
1. Cook and Season the Ground Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and ranch seasoning with ¼ cup water. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the meat is well-coated. Place in the fridge to chill.
2. Assemble the Taco Salad
In a large bowl, layer the chopped lettuce, cheese, beans, tomatoes, onion, and corn, or any other desired toppings. Toss the salad.
3. Mix in Dressings
Mix ranch and Western dressing together by drizzling over the salad.
4. Stir in the Cooled Taco Meat
Add the ground beef taco meat to the salad and stir to combine the taco salad just before serving.
5. Add Crunch
Top with crushed tortilla chips when you serve. Either top the entire salad or let each person top their invidual salad with Doriotos.
If you need a quick and easy taco salad recipe with Doritos, this one checks all the boxes! With bold flavor, simple ingredients, and minimal cleanup, it’s a crowd-pleaser for busy weeknights or gatherings.
✅ Recipe Tips and Variations
To make ahead of time and serve later, I crush nacho Doritos and put them down on the plate, and add the salad. Then I finish off with the meat. Especially if the meat is still hot. I don’t want the hot meat to wilt the salad.
- Make it healthier: Use ground turkey or lean beef and low-fat dressing.
- Spice it up: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the dressing or beef.
- Meal prep idea: Store salad ingredients separately and assemble when ready to eat.
- Customizable toppings: Add avocado, bell peppers, corn, or cilantro to suit your taste.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
This taco salad is perfect for:
- Quick weeknight dinners
- Potlucks and picnics
- Easy lunch meal prep
- Family taco night
Serve with extra dressing on the side, and let everyone customize their bowl!
🥄 Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Store leftovers in separate containers to keep the salad crisp. Reheat the meat when you’re ready to eat and add dressing and chips just before serving. Great for prepping lunches ahead of time!
Easy Salad Recipes
Blackened Fish Taco Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Easy Taco Salad with French Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground pork, ground chicken or ground turkey
- 1 taco seasoning pack
- 1 tbs ranch seasoning mix
- 2 hearts romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/2 cup onion diced*
- 1 cup sweet corn
- 12 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup olives*
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
- 1 cup French dressing Western Dressing is my preference
- ½ cup Ranch Dressing
- Large bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and ranch seasoning with ¼ cup water. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the meat is well-coated. Cool meat immediately in the fridge.
- Toss salad, taco toppings, and cheese together.
- Add salad dressings and toss thoroughly in the taco.
- Add the ground beef taco meat to the salad and stir to combine the taco salad just before serving.
- To serve, crush chips and place on a plate. Add salad and meat to the top of chips. Mix well.
Notes
Nutrition
What are you throwing together tonight?
Shared on weekend potluck
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