Easy Taco Salad

Readers agree this Taco Salad recipe is “incredible,” “amazing” “5-stars,” etc. on your table in 30 minutes! It’s bursting with bold, satisfying Tex-Mex flavors elevated by homemade taco seasoning, charred sweet corn, pepper Jack cheese and Cilantro Lime Dressing. Bonus! This recipe includes how to make with turkey or beef, how to make ahead (great for entertaining or meal prep!) and how to make optional tortilla bowls!

top view of taco salad with ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, beans, taco salad dressing


 

Why you’ll love this Taco Salad Recipe

  • CROWD PLEASER.  EVERYONE loves this Taco Salad recipe – just read the reviews.
  • BEST TACO SALAD DRESSING. I’ve paired this easy taco salad recipe with intoxicating Cilantro Lime Dressing you are going to go crazy for! It’s simple, silky, mega flavorful and the perfect enlivening complement to the smoky earthy beef.
  • JUICY BEEF. The beef is perfectly seasoned with homemade taco seasoning blend – you will want to eat it plain!
  • QUICK AND EASY. Just chop your veggies while you brown the beef and blend the dressing in your blender – that’s it!
  • BEST INGREDIENTS. The juicy beef with the tortilla chips or Doritos – along with all the other veggies and sunflower seeds = complex layers of textures that are hearty, satisfying and fresh with plenty of CRUNCH!
  • VERSATILE. Add more or less of your favorite veggies, swap the beef for turkey and/or use any of your favorite chips, etc.
  • MEAL PREP. You can assemble your Taco Salad except for the chips and make your dressing ahead of time so it’s all ready for lunch, dinner or potlucks without the last-minute hustle.
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Taco Salad ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this taco salad recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

The LETTUCE

  • Romaine lettuce. Taco Salad begins with a crunchy lettuce base.  I prefer Romaine because it’s sturdy, cool and crunchy and holds up for an extended period of time without becoming soggy. 
  • Other lettuce options.  You may also choose iceberg lettuce or half iceberg lettuce and half Romaine lettuce.  When using lettuce, discard any flimsy outer leaves for the crunchiest lettuce.

The Meat options

  • Ground beef.  Ground beef is the classic, obvious choice for taco salad because its juicy texture and beefy flavor is so satisfying.  This ground beef is sensationally juicy, seasoned to perfection with chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano and salsa and really takes this taco salad recipe over the top.
  • Ground turkey.  I have a fabulous ground turkey recipe that uses beef bouillon powder or better than bouillon to mimic that satisfying beefy flavor. 
  • Chicken.  Although I prefer ground meats in the recipe, you may also use my 10 Minute Mexican Chicken which is as simple as sauteing some shredded rotisserie chicken with some seasonings.   You may also use my Crockpot Mexican Chicken, Cilantro Lime Chicken, Chili Lime Chicken or Chipotle Chicken. If you’re considering these options, then you may want to check out my Chicken Taco Salad recipe first.

THE TOPPINGS

  • Corn.  You will definitely want to add corn because its sweetness balances out the acidic tomatoes and punchy red onions.  You can use plain corn straight off of the cob or I prefer to char it in the skillet or on the grill for an amped up layer of smoky, juicy YUM like I do in my Corn Salsa and Avocado Corn Salsa recipes (instructions included).  If using canned corn, take care to rinse and drain it well first.  You can still char canned corn in a skillet.
  • Tomatoes.  I prefer cherry or grape tomatoes because of their firm yet juicy texture.  Cherry tomatoes are inherently sweeter than grape tomatoes, so aim for cherry if you can.  You may also use two Roma tomatoes, but you will want to seed them first so they don’t make your taco salad soggy.
  • Red onion.  I like the fresh pop of red onion but you may also use green onions.  If you’re not a fan of raw red onions, you can soak them in cold water for 10 minutes.
  • Black Beans. You may also substitute red kidney beans, pinto beans etc.  No matter what bean you use, rinse and dry them first.
  • Avocados.  You can add sliced or chopped avocados for a satisfying creamy burst to complement the crunchy textures.  If you’re anticipating leftovers, you may want to omit the avocados from the salad and use them as a topping so they don’t brown upon storage.  Make sure you use ripe avocados but not overly ripe or they will turn to mush.  To tell if an avocado is ripe, squeeze it gently. A ripe avocado should yield slightly to pressure but not feel overly soft.  If your avocados ripen before you are ready to use them, they can be stored in the refrigerator which will dramatically slow down the ripening process.
  • Cheese.  I love the addition of pepper Jack Cheese to this Taco Salad.  It adds cheesy, creaminess with a hint of heat.  You may also use Mexican cheese blend or sharp cheddar.

THE CRUNCH

  • Chips!  No Taco Salad is complete without chips AKA the CRUNCH.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to which kind of chip you choose:  tortilla chips, tortilla strips, Doritos, spicy Doritos, Nacho Doritos, Fritos, etc.  â€“ just don’t skip the CRUNCH – aka what makes taco salad, taco salad.
  • Shout out for Doritos.  My chips of choice for taco salad are Doritos.  Doritos are addictive plain – so just imagine how magical they are in salad!  The crushed Doritos boast in intense flavor and crunch which balances the tangy, zesty, creamy dressing and juicy, hot taco meat.
  • Sunflower seeds. You might think you have enough crunch in the Taco Salad with the chips, but the sunflower seeds add a different textural component that you will LOVE!  I use pepitas in my Southwest Salad and I can never go back to salad without seeds!  If you don’t want to purchase a whole package of sunflower seeds, you can purchase a smaller quantity at the bulk bins at Sprouts – just make sure they are roasted and salted for maximum flavor.

Best Taco Salad Recipe Variations

Taco salad can be customized to suite your tastes by adding all your favorite toppings. Here are some tasty additions to consider:

  • Olives: offer a delectable tanginess if olives are your thing.
  • Bell peppers: offer a satisfying sweet crunch. 
  • Pickled Jalapenos: are fabulous if you love SPICY, otherwise, you might want to serve them as an optional topping.
  • Pickled red onions: I have an entire post dedicated to pickled red onions because I love them so much!  Even if you don’t think you love pickled red onions, I highly suggest you try them; they’re bright, tangy with a slight sweetness and subtle crunch. You can purchase jarred pickled red onions at the grocery store located by the capers, pepperoncini, etc. or they only take 15 minutes to prep and then 30 minutes to rest with my quick recipe.
  • Mangos:  I love how their juicy sweetness offers a bright fresh contrast against the earthy flavors.   If you are intimidated by mangos, don’t be, just check out my How to Cut A Mango Post that teaches everything you could ever want to know about mangos.
  • Pico de gallo: you can skip the tomatoes and add either homemade or store-bought pico de gallo instead.
  • Bacon.  Because bacon makes everything better. I recommend thick-cut bacon so its wonderfully meaty texture doesn’t get lost in the salad.  You will want to add the bacon to the Taco Salad recipe at the end with the chips so it stays nice and crispy.
  • Hot sauce: let individuals control the heat of the Taco Salad by passing around the hot sauce.
showing how to make taco salad by tossing all of the salad ingredients together

Healthy Taco Salad Recipe Variations

This classic Taco Salad can be customized with different options to make it Healthy Taco Salad such as:

  • Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in the dressing.
  • Use light cheese and less of it.
  • Use lean ground beef which is 29% lower in saturated fat.
  • Use half a pound of beef (and half the seasonings) and replace the other half with additional beans or veggies.
  • Use ground turkey instead of beef (my recipe is below).
  • Use homemade baked tortilla chips or strips instead of store-bought chips so you can control the oil and salt (recipe below).

TURKEY TACO SALAD

You can easily swap the beef for turkey to make Turkey Taco Salad.  If you do this, I suggest following the below recipe I use in my Turkey Tacos instead of the recipe used for the beef.  To make Turkey Taco Salad you will need:

  • 1-pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup Homemade Salsa or your favorite store bought
  • salt to taste
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
  2. Add ground turkey and all of the seasonings and cook until almost cooked through, but still slightly pink then add salsa and water simmer an additional 5 minutes or until cooked through and reduced.
  3. Taste and add salt or additional cayenne or hot sauce to taste.

BAKED TORTILLA CHIPS

Baking your own tortilla chips or strips is super simple and the same method I use in my Chicken Tortilla Soup.  You will need:

  • 6 (6-inch) corn tortillas
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  1. Light spray a large baking sheet/jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
  2. Lightly brush tortillas with olive oil.
  3. Cut tortillas into wedges (I stack them together and use my pizza cutter.)
  4. Arrange wedges in a single layer and lightly season with freshly cracked salt.
  5. Bake at 425 degrees F for 12-16 minutes or until light golden brown.
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Easy Taco Salad Dressing Ingredients

This crowning, intoxicating Cilantro Lime Dressing elevates the salad into epically delicious.  You will want to drink the dressing.  No joke.  I’ve already used it on my Shrimp Burrito Bowls and have been eager to make a salad with it. 

This Taco Salad Dressing is bright, creamy, tangy, zippy, sassy, zesty, and the perfect complement to the rich, robust beef.  It marries all the flavors and textures together and requires less than 5 minutes to make in your blender and it can be made days ahead of time.

The smooth, creamy base is spiked with tomatillos, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, lime and smoked paprika to create a luscious dressing packed with irresistible tangy, punchy flavor that can’t be beat! 

how to make taco salad

Taco Salad is wonderfully easy to make – it really does just take 20 minutes! Let’s take a closer look with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  1. Make Dressing.  The very first thing you’ll want to do is make the Taco Salad Dressing so it has time to chill.  Simply add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Brown Beef.  Next, start browning the beef in a skillet.  I use a nonstick skillet that way I don’t need to add any additional oil.  Crumble the beef into chunks and cook and stir until cooked through.
  3. Drain Grease.  Once cooked, drain the beef of any excess grease.
  4. Season Beef.  Stir in seasonings and salsa.
  5. Chop Veggies.  While the beef is cooking, I first like to start charring my corn then chopping the rest of my veggies.
  6. Assemble.  Layer lettuce with beef, cheese, veggies and top with tortilla chips, sunflower seeds and dressing. 
showing how to make taco salad by pouring taco salad dressing over salad

HOW TO MAKE TORTILLA BOWLS FOR TACO SALAD

  1. To make the healthier-than-the-fried-restaurant-tortilla-bowls for your taco salad, simply choose your favorite tortillas and make sure they are at room temperature so they are nice and pliable.  If you’re using refrigerated tortillas, wrap them in a slightly dampened dish towel and microwave for 20 seconds.  Be careful not to overheat or they will go past soft to brittle.  You can use either 8″ or 10″ tortillas, as well as either wheat or white tortillas, but don’t try corn as they will fall apart.
showing how to make tortilla bowls to serve taco salad by placing tortillas inside two glass bowls

2. Next, spray the interior of your oven proof bowls with nonstick cooking spray then push your tortillas into the inside of the bowls then place on a baking sheet.  

3. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes then remove tortillas from bowls and broil both sides until nice and crispy.  The removing the tortillas and broiling both sides is a little trick other “taco/tortilla bowl” recipes don’t do, and I think it makes all the difference for all over crispy bowls.  

4. Remove your now crispy taco bowls from the oven and let cool then load up with the best Taco Salad!

showing how to make tortilla bowls to serve taco salad by baking until crispy

Taco Salad Recipe Tips

  • Leftover beef.  Leftover taco meat is perfect for this taco salad recipe. You can even double this recipe with the intention of freezing some to use later because the beef freezes beautifully for quick prep ahead dinners.
  • Add cayenne pepper to taste. Depending on how spicy your salsa is and how spicy you would like your beef, you may or may not want to use cayenne pepper. I suggest making the beef without the cayenne pepper then tasting to see if you would like to add it. Keep in mind, it is okay if the beef is on the spicy side because it will mellow and be perfect once combined with all of the taco salad ingredients.
  • Time saving tips.  In addition to using defrosted make ahead beef, you can use pre-chopped Romaine lettuce, store-bought pico de gallo instead of tomatoes and onion and pre-shredded cheese.
  • Prep the taco salad dressing first.  The Cilantro Lime Dressing is very best chilled – no one wants lukewarm dressing!  So, plan on making the dressing earlier in the day and refrigerating it or pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving if you’re running low on time.
  • Customize taco salad.  All of the ingredients are just a guideline.  You can use more or less of each ingredient, add other vegetables or omit some completely.  The ingredient list is up to you to make it YOUR favorite Taco Salad!
  • Different dressings. Have fun trying different dressings such as Tomatillo Avocado Ranch, Baja Catalina Dressing or Creamy Salsa Avocado Dressing. 

How to serve this Recipe for Taco Salad

There are four ways to serve this easy Taco Salad recipe:

  • If you don’t expect or want leftovers: add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl except for tortilla chips and toss with desired amount of dressing. Add tortilla chips when ready to serve.
  • If you expect leftovers:  add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl except the avocados and tortilla strips.  Let individuals dress their own salad plates with avocados, tortilla chips and dressing. If you prefer warm beef, then keep the beef separate as well.
  • Create a taco salad bar: line up all of the ingredients in separate serving bowls and let guests assemble their own taco salad.
  • Serve in tortilla bowls. Taco Salad is often served in tortilla bowls at restaurants.  These make a fun presentation and are deceptively easy to make (and healthy baked!), but I don’t suggest using them instead of chips but in addition to chips.  You are going to want crunch in every bite and not have to tear your bowl apart as your eating your salad.

Is taco salad served warm or cold?

Either! I like to serve my taco salad with warm beef or at least room temperature. If you want warm beef in your leftover taco salad, then make sure to to keep it separate from the rest of the salad ingredients so you can reheat it for leftovers.

What to serve with Easy Taco Salad

Taco Salad is practically a meal-in-itself with protein, veggies and carbs – the only thing left to add is fruit! I love to serve it with juicy watermelon, Pina Colada Fruit Salad, Perfect Fruit Salad or Summer Fruit Salad. It’s also fabulous with a big slice of sweet cornbread (I’m OBSESSED with this recipe) or grilled corn on the cob.

easy taco salad recipe in a large serving bowl tossed together
up close showing how to make taco salad by tossing salad with taco salad dressing

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Recipe for Taco Salad

Readers agree this Taco Salad recipe is "incredible," "amazing" "5-stars," etc. on your table in 30 minutes! It’s bursting with bold, satisfying Tex-Mex flavors elevated by creamy avocados, charred sweet corn, pepper Jack cheese and Cilantro Lime Dressing. Bonus! This recipe includes how to make with turkey or beef, how to make ahead (great for entertaining or meal prep!) and how to make optional tortilla bowls!
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

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Ingredients

BEEF

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (see notes for turkey or use Morning Star Crumbles for vegetarian)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt
  • cayenne pepper to taste (optional, I use ¼ tsp)
  • 1/2 cup mild salsa

SALAD

  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped (about 8 cups)
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (or 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped)
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 ears sweet corn (see notes how to char)
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onions
  • 2 avocados, sliced or chopped
  • 1/3 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese or sharp cheddar (or more to taste)
  • Tortilla Chips or Doritos, slightly crushed to taste (the more the better!)

Instructions

  • Prepare Cilantro Lime Dressing according to directions. Best if chilled at least one hour.
  • Brown beef over medium heat in a large skillet, breaking up any clumps. Drain any excess grease.
  • Stir in all seasonings except cayenne followed by ½ cup salsa and simmer 1-2 minutes until thickened and warmed through. Add cayenne to taste (optional).
  • To make salad, place lettuce in a large bowl (or individual bowls) and layer with beef, salad ingredients and drizzle or toss with desired amount of dressing. Serve immediately. (See notes below on how to serve.)

Notes

HOW TO CHAR CORN (optional)

  • ON THE GRILL: Lightly brush each ear of corn with olive oil, and sprinkle each side with salt and pepper. Grease and heat grill to high heat. Once hot, add corn and close the lid. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side, rotating the corn until all of the sides are lightly charred, about 10-12 minutes, closing the lid in between rotations. Set the corn aside and allow to cool enough to handle. Cut the kernels off of the cob and transfer to a large bowl.
  • OR IN A SKILLET: Cut the kernels off of the cob. Heat the olive oil in large cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn starts to char approximately 5 minutes. Transfer kernels to a large bowl.
 

HOW TO SERVE TACO SALAD

  • If you don’t expect or want leftovers: add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl except for tortilla chips and toss with desired amount of dressing. Add tortilla chips when ready to serve.
  • If you expect leftovers:  add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl except the avocados and tortilla strips.  Let individuals dress their own salad plates with avocados, tortilla chips and dressing.
  • Create a taco salad bar: line up all of the ingredients in separate serving bowls and let guests assemble their own taco salad.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TORTILLA BOWLS

Taco Salad is often served in tortilla bowls at restaurants.  These make a fun presentation and are deceptively easy to make (and healthy baked!), but I don’t suggest using them instead of chips but in addition to chips.  You are going to want crunch in every bite and not have to tear your bowl apart as your eating your salad.
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Spray the inside of 4 oven safe bowls with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. If tortillas have been refrigerated or are not pliable, wrap them in a slightly dampened paper towels or dish towel and microwave 20 seconds. Gently press tortillas inside prepared bowls.
  4. Place bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Carefully remove tortillas from bowls and place the tortillas back on the baking sheet. Broil until golden (watch carefully so they don’t burn!), flip over and broil the other side until golden.

HOW TO STORE

Taco Salad will last approximately 3 days in the refrigerator. The avocados should be removed from the salad if they’ve been tossed or else they will discolor and become mushy. The chips should be stored in an airtight container and added to the salad when ready to serve.

HOW TO MAKE AHEAD

The secret to making taco salad ahead of time is to layer the ingredients so they don’t get soggy.  This requires a specific order, with the most wet on the bottom.  To prep Taco Salad ahead of time, layer the ingredients in the following order:
  • Ground beef
  • Beans and corn
  • Tomatoes
  • Lettuce
  • Cheese
You will want to store the salad dressing separately and add the chips and avocados just before serving.

healthy taco salad

This classic Taco Salad can be customized with different options to make it Healthy Taco Salad such as:
  • Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in the dressing.
  • Use light cheese and less of it.
  • Use lean ground beef which is 29% lower in saturated fat.
  • Use half a pound of beef (and half the seasonings) and replace the other half with additional beans or veggies.
  • Use ground turkey instead of beef (my recipe is below).
  • Use Morning Star Crumbles instead of beef.
  • Use homemade baked tortilla chips or strips instead of store-bought chips so you can control the oil and salt (recipe in post).

TURKEY TACO SALAD

You can easily swap the beef for turkey to make Turkey Taco Salad.  If you do this, I suggest following the below recipe:
  • 1-pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon beef bouillon powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup Homemade Salsa or your favorite store bought
  • salt to taste
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
  2. Add ground turkey and all of the seasonings and cook until almost cooked through, but still slightly pink then add salsa and water simmer an additional 5 minutes or until cooked through and reduced.
  3. Taste and add salt or additional cayenne or hot sauce to taste.

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34 Comments

  1. Hannah says

    My entire family loves all of your recipes and I know they are going to love this taco salad too- cant wait to make it tonight!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Hannah, I love hearing your family is enjoying my recipes! I’m excited for you to enjoy this taco salad – its a new fav!

      • Laura says

        Fresh corn isn’t in season now so I can’t find any in the store. Could I used frozen or canned corn instead?

  2. Mitzi Watters says

    I made this last night for supper for my husband. We both found it to be amazing and delicious. I’ve made a number of things from your archive and have found them awesome as well.

    • Jen says

      Thank you for making my day Mitzi! That’s awesome you made this Taco Salad recipe already – I’m so pleased it was a winner along with the other recipes of mine you’ve tried. Thank you!

  3. Nikki says

    We made this for dinner tonight. It was really good. We can always count on you for great recipes!

  4. Salesha says

    I made this tonight. It really is the best taco salad! We used ground chicken and followed the turkey recipe. I used a store bought dressing. It was excellent!!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Salesha! I love hearing you thought it was the bests taco salad and loved the turkey option – wahoo!

  5. lydia says

    I am constantly AMAZED how your recipes are so good. This Taco Salad had me wishing I had made a bigger portion. It was that delicious!! My son who doesn’t like most things sour chomped on the salad and added more dressing. Love the combination and the zing from the dressing. Definitely a keeper!!

    • Jen says

      Thanks for taking the time to comment Lydia and make my day! I LOVE hearing you are enjoying my recipes and that this taco salad was also a winner!

  6. Lisa says

    I love salads. Thanks for including the low carb options!

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome, enjoy!

  7. Karen says

    i made a variation of this salad last night and we both loved it! the taco meat is great. i’m always looking for a good recipe for taco meat. thank you!!!

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome Karen, I’m so pleased it was a winner!

  8. Kevin Stoker says

    My family loved this recipe today!! We’ve tried every one of your Mexican flavor recipes… delicious!! Thank you!

    • Jen says

      That is awesome you have tried all of my Mexican dishes – bravo! I’m thrilled this taco salad was another winner!

  9. Sugaree says

    We thought this was incredible! We’re vegetarians, so I used Morning Star Crumbles instead of beef and it worked great. Loved the dressing! Thanks so much for another amazingly delicious recipe.

    • Jen says

      You’re so welcome Sugaree, I’m so pleased it was a winner! Thank you for the tip on Morning Star Crumbles – I’m sure many readers will find that helpful as well.

  10. Krista says

    I need to prep as much as possible ahead to make this for a large group. I know I can cook and freeze the meat ahead. Can I also chat the corn and freeze it ahead?

    • Jen says

      Yes! Just cut kernels off the cobs and place in an airtight container to freeze.

  11. Melissa Rogers-Obal says

    Another outstanding recipe! My 11 year-old declared that this was “2 quadrillion times better than the school’s taco salad”- haha! Thanks again for making ME make my family happy. Quick question- can I freeze the extra cilantro lime dressing? Didn’t realize the recipe made so much, and not sure we will be able to use it all this week.

    • Jen says

      That’s awesome Melissa, I’m so pleased it was such a hit! Typically dressings with mayo and sour cream don’t freeze well because they separate when thawing, but you could try it and blend it again if it separates. Please let me know how it goes!

  12. Cindy says

    That was excellent, so much better than the original Doritos Taco Salad! The dressing and the corn take it up a notch! I will definitely be making this more often.

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Cindy, I’m so pleased it will be on repeat!

  13. Karin says

    So good! The dressing was amazing and we are planning dinner tonight based on what we can dip in that dressing. Thank you! We never all agree on dinner.

    • Jen says

      Thanks for taking the time to comment Karin, I’m so pleased this was a hit!

  14. Elaine Lindsey says

    I tried this salad and it was so tasty in every aspect and filling it tasted like a taco salad I get from one of these restaurants but better I gave this a 5-star Easy to make with tons of flavor I wouldn’t change anything about the salad

    • Jen says

      Thanks for the 5-star review Elaine! I’m so pleased you loved it so much!

  15. Aimee says

    Kind of went an “inspired by” route with most of my salad toppings but this blend of seasonings for the meat worked really well in the salad context, and the dressing is amazing! Would definitely make those pieces again.

    • Jen says

      Thanks Aimee – I love your creativity, that’s what makes cooking fun!

  16. Karen Bradbury says

    Just made this tonight – prepped and ready to go for a work pot luck. Made a smaller version for hubs and I- yum yum yum.
    The cilantro dressing is great and hubs loved it too( he hates cilantro).
    Thank you!!

    • Jen says

      That’s the ultimate compliment when the cilantro hating husband loves it, thank you!