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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Taco Salad

    Updated: Nov 5, 2022 » This post may contain affiliate links » By: Megan » 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    taco salad

    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
    taco salad ingredients

    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.

    taco salad beef cooking

    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.

    taco salad

    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

    Should taco salad be served hot or cold?

    This is up to you! You can serve it with the beef while it's still warm or chill the salad so that it's cold.

    How do you meal prep taco salad?

    To meal prep this salad, toss together all of the ingredients except for the avocado and dressing. Store the salad in serving-size containers or jars. I like to also store the dressing and avocado in serving-size small containers.

    Assemble the salad just before eating. To help keep your avocado fresh, squeeze some fresh lime juice on it before storing.

    How do you make taco salad shells?

    Taco salad shells are a fun & tasty way to serve this recipe! You can make a taco shell by baking a tortilla for about 10 minutes in a taco shell maker.

    taco salad

    Similar Recipes

    For more healthy and easy Mexican-inspired dinners, check out these favorites:

    • Fajita Chicken Burrito Bowls
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
    • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
    Print
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    taco salad

    Taco Salad


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Megan
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    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.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 packet taco seasoning
    • 6 cups romaine lettuce (about 1 head)
    • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
    • 1 avocado, thinly sliced
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
    • ½ red onion, finely diced
    • Salad dressing: Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette or Chipotle Ranch

    Optional, for serving: 

    • ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
    • Lime wedges

    Instructions

    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.
    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.
    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.
    4. Serve: serve warm or cold with lime wedges on the side. Add your favorite dressing, like Chipotle Ranch or Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.

    Notes

    Dietary Notes: 

    • Gluten free: this recipe is naturally gluten free. 
    • Keto: to make this recipe keto, leave out the beans and use corn sparingly. 
    • Paleo: this recipe is paleo.
    • Whole30: this recipe is Whole30 compliant, as long as you buy (or make your own) taco seasoning that doesn't contain any extra ingredients other than herbs/spices. 

    Taco seasoning: you can also use homemade taco seasoning. Use 2 tablespoons. 

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Main Course
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Mexican Inspired

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 614
    • Sugar: 12.1g
    • Sodium: 794mg
    • Fat: 26.9g
    • Saturated Fat: 10.4g
    • Carbohydrates: 44.2g
    • Fiber: 11.6g
    • Protein: 50.5g
    • Cholesterol: 131mg

    Keywords: taco salad, taco bowl, mexican, ground beef, meal prep

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @her.wholesome.kitchen — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle Holler

      May 25, 2022 at 10:45 am

      Yum! Perfect combo of ingredients! A family favorite. Thumbs up!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Tracy Cook

      February 17, 2024 at 10:03 am

      Absolutely delicious and super easy to make.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Megan! I love to share easy salad recipes that taste amazing!

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