Liven up a drab old Taco Tuesday with this tantalizing Dorito Taco Salad. Its one of the tastiest hearty taco recipes in my arsenal and it is loaded with goodies! Whether you prefer the original taco meat recipe or steak tacos, you can incorporate either into this yummy taco salad. This stuff is Ah-ma-zing!
Even if taco soup is normally your thing, you’re not gonna’ be able to pass this up. Its simple, yummy, satisfying, and versatile like no other recipe.
Let’s get started….
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What I Love About This Recipe
- Nacho Doritos, I mean they are sooo yummy in this salad.
- The taco meat mixture is loaded with flavor~it’s zesty, savory, and a little sweet from the beans!
- It’s easy to double or triple which makes it perfect for bring to a potluck
- My hubby loves this salad!
How To Make Dorito Taco Salad Recipe
Serving up this tangy Dorito taco salad is nothing short of genius and your family’s gonna’ love you for it! Just fry up the meat and mix in the yummies for the taco flavor.
Let it cool to room temperature and serve it over salad. Drizzle with Ranch dressing and crushed Doritos. Presto!
Recipe Notes
This Dorito Taco Salad is absolutely delish. For a beautiful presentation, I like to layer mine on the serving platter. Be generous with the Doritos, too. Add them when you put it on the table, so they don’t get soggy.
You can also cook up the meat early in the day while the house is cool and put it in the fridge. Serve your yummy taco salad cold or at room temp.
Ingredient Notes
Meat – If beef isn’t your thing, you can turn this salad into a turkey tacos recipe. An easy Dorito casserole recipe is another tasty variation. The meat and bean mixture is zesty, savory, and slightly sweet. It’s not the same bland flavor from those grocery store taco kits.
Fresh Red Bell Peppers: When I gather the ingredients to make this salad, if the red bell peppers look good at the market, then it will likely make an appearance in the salad bowl. I like to cut them in julienne strips (like a matchstick) and toss them in with the lettuce.
If you’ve got more taco meat mixture than you want in your salad, you can always use it to make taco stuffed shells. Talk about a multipurpose recipe!
Corn – Corn is an absolutely delicious addition to this salad. You can use fresh corn, canned corn (drained and rinsed) or frozen corn, cooked and drained. When I add corn to this salad, I generally add about 1 cup. I add into the salad with my lettuce and other fresh vegetables.
Green Chiles – I’m a huge fan of chiles! In this recipe I sometimes add a 1-4 ounce can of Ortega Diced Chilies (drained), to the meat, then I stir in the beans.
Tools to Make
Whipping up this amazing Dorito salad is so simple, and it doesn’t take any crazy tools either. All you really need is a skillet and a chopping knife and you’re in business!
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
The meat and bean mixture will stay fresh and crave-worthy in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored properly in an airtight container. Once you layer everything up, you should serve immediately.
You can also make smaller single-serve portions on individual plates to avoid tossing what you don’t finish.
Make Ahead Tips
Those fellow preppers out there understand sometimes it’s just easier to have everything ready ahead of time (you know who you are). On those busy days when you cook the meat early, you can also chop the lettuce and wrap it in damp paper towels to keep it crisp. You’ll also want to store the onions separately.
I just keep everything in zipper bags until I’m ready to put it together, but I do like to let my meat mixture come to room temperature before serving.
Serving Recommendations
This recipe is absolutely delicious with calico beans if you’ve got a family recipe to work with. If not – use mine! It doesn’t disappoint. Pair it with some tasty sopes for a meal with massive South of the border flair. It’ll have you hearing Mariachi music and sippin’ margaritas before the night’s end.
Dorito Taco Salad
Ingredients
Meat Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef, turkey or chicken 80/20
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 (16-ounce) can chili beans
- 1 cup Catalina dressing
Salad Mixture:
- 2 heads lettuce, romaine or iceberg, cut iInto chunks
- 1 cup red onion, thinly dliced
- 3 cups grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups jack cheese
Topping:
- 2 (14.5-ounce) bags nacho cheese doritos, lightly crushed
- ranch dressing, enough to lightly dress the salad
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the beef and onion until its cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning, Chili Beans with their liquid, and the Catalina Dressing. Simmer on low 10 minutes. I cool mine to room temperature before adding to the salad.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cooled meat and bean mixture and all the salad ingredients. Toss well.
- Pour salad out onto a serving platter and lightly drizzle with Ranch Dressing and top generously with lightly crushed Doritos.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
More Mexican Beef Recipes
Here are even more scrumptious Mexican beef recipes you may want to add to your arsenal. Try a different one every day of the week!
- Taco Chili – Combine two great flavors to warm up those winter months. Ariba!
- Carne Picada – Thin beef strips cooked a little spicy and oh so tender.
- Taco Pasta – A full-flavored twisted on your favorite pasta salad.
- Walking Tacos – A party in a bag with minimal prep.
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas – Tender braised shredded beef in authentic Mexican flavor.
Conclusion
This insanely delicious Dorito taco salad uses Doritos instead of taco shells along with a few other full-flavored twists. It’s a massively scrumptious nutritious meal that you can whip up in virtually no time.
The family is gonna’ LOVE this and believe me, they’re gonna’ want seconds!
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Hi, Ashok! Thank you for your positive review! Yes, I hope they like this too 🙂
This is such a hearty salad. All these delicious ingredients in one dish!
Thank you, Catalina 🙂
My hubby loves this recipe! So yummy and tasty! Definitely going to make this one again!
Thank you for your feedback, Beth! So happy it turned out great 🙂
I like to make this without the meat! It’s still so yummy!
Enjoy, Allyson! Thank you 🙂
This Dorito taco salad is couldn’t look any more perfect!
Thank you, Erin! I totally agree! <3
I found my fave salad!
LOVE this recipe
So Happy to hear that, Alise! Thanks so much for leaving a comment <3
Sounds good
Thank you, Eleanor!