Taco Salad

This easy Mexican-inspired Taco Salad recipe is ready in only 20 minutes and is loaded with ground beef and all of your favorite taco toppings! It's a healthy dinner or meal prep idea that you'll crave making again and again.

Dietary note: this recipe is naturally gluten-free and paleo. It can be made dairy-free by leaving out the cheese. It's also Whole30 compliant as long as you use a taco seasoning that contains only herbs & spices. See the full recipe for more details.

Taco Salad Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 6 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can corn
• 1 avocado
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• ½ red onion

How to Make Taco Salad

Step 1: Cook the Beef

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook and crumble the beef, 5 - 7 minutes, until cooked through. Drain excess grease.

Step 2: Add Taco Seasoning

Add the taco seasoning and the recommended amount of water called for on the packet (most say ⅓ cup). Continue cooking until all of the liquid is gone. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Add a layer of romaine lettuce and then top with remaining ingredients: beans, corn, avocado, cheese, red onion, and avocado. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Step 4: Serve

Serve with lime wedges and your favorite salad dressing. Popular options are our Chipotle Ranch Dressing or a cilantro lime vinaigrette.

Storage

In the fridge: store leftover taco salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 - 4 days. To help keep the ingredients fresh, store the avocado and dressing separately until you're ready to eat.

For meal prep: assemble the salad except for adding the avocado and the dressing (store this separately in small containers). Add the avocado and dressing just before eating.

Ingredient Notes:

• Cheese: swap out cheddar cheese for a Mexican blend or your favorite alternative.
• Beef: ground beef or turkey are both tasty in this recipe.
• Sour cream: drizzle sour cream over your salad for some added creaminess.
• Salsa: salsa is a tasty addition to this recipe! Add a spoonful on top before serving.
• Chips: serve your salad with a side of chips or crumble them on top for some added crunch.
• Dressing: this recipe would be tasty with Chipotle Ranch Dressing, cilantro lime vinaigrette, or a creamy cilantro lime dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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