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This Classic Taco Salad recipe is a quick 30-minute dinner loaded with all of your favorite taco ingredients. It’s kind of like a Taco Bell Taco Salad but made at home so it’s cheaper and healthier than fast food. Its my favorite dinner we have at least once a week.
EASY Weeknight Taco Salad Recipe
I love to make a big ground beef taco salad for dinner and this easy recipe is better than the Taco Bell salad or Wendy’s taco salad! This is what I make when the family is craving tacos but I want to keep things lighter, easier, and fresher. They don’t miss the tacos when I make it – it’s got all the same flavors and textures but made easy.
I like to call it Taco Bell’s fiesta taco salad because it’s full of fresh ingredients and has so many colors, lots of flavor, and great textures going on – like a fiesta for your tastebuds!
It’s a really easy taco salad recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes so it’s perfect for an easy meal during the week. For me, it’s faster than picking up a Taco Bell taco salad and it’s a whole lot healthier, too!
This is such a classic recipe and it’s always a hit with the whole family! If you’re looking for taco salad recipes to lighten up taco night, give this one a try.
Taco Salad Ingredients
- Lean ground beef or lean ground turkey
- Taco seasoning – pick up a packet at the store or use homemade taco seasoning with chili powder, onion powder, cumin, and other spices.
- Chopped romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce (or mix them up together!).
- Tomatoes – I like diced Roma tomatoes or halved grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Pickled jalapenos
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Guacamole
- Salsa – use your favorite brand!
- Tortilla strips – crushed tortilla chips store bought tricolor or red tortilla strips
- Chopped cilantro
How to Make Taco Salad
- Brown the beef (or turkey if using) in a large skillet over medium heat to medium-high heat. Break it up as it cooks and then drain off the excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and amount of water called for on the package. Stir to combine and cook the seasoning and beef as directed on the packet. Take the pan off the heat so the meat mixture can cool.
- Place the chopped lettuce in a big bowl and top it with the taco meat, tomatoes, olives, and cheese.
- Top the salad with guacamole and salsa, and then toss the salad to combine. Garnish with the tortilla strips and cilantro for serving.
What goes well with taco salad?
Want to add some side dishes? Here are some good options we always like:
- We always love it with some chips and salsa.
- Make some cheese quesadillas.
- Make taco Tuesday a soup and salad night and add black bean soup or chicken tortilla soup on the side.
- Pair it with Mexican rice and beans.
- For BBQs it goes great with grilled corn on the cob or other grilled veggies.
Simple Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or beef
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 roma tomato diced
- ½ cup sliced olives
- ¼ cup pickled jalapenos
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup guacamole see note
- ¼ cup salsa
- Tortilla strips for garnish
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Place ground turkey in a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking up the meat to small pieces, until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water called for on pouch (usually ¾ cup). Stir to combine and cook as directed on package. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Add romaine to a large salad bowl. Add cooked meat, tomato, jalapenos, olives, and cheese.
- Top with guacamole and salsa then toss to combine. Garnish with tortilla strips and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Recipe Nutrition
Other Recipes To Try:
Classic Taco Salad is an easy 30 minute meal that’s healthy – make this salad recipe with ground beef or turkey – it’s better than Taco Bell taco salad! Use your favorite dressing too!
We loved it. I do use my own dressing, equal parts thousand island and smooth taco sauce, but the guacamole and sour cream sound delicious too. Thanks for a delicious recipe.