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Dorito Taco Salad Recipe with French Dressing


  • Author: Miya
  • Total Time: 30minutes

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this irresistible Dorito Taco Salad with French Dressing:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking the beef)
  • 1 head of lettuce, chopped (or use a bag of pre-chopped romaine lettuce)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend cheese)
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 2 cups Doritos (Nacho Cheese flavor), crushed
  • 1/2 cup French dressing (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Ingredient Highlights

 

  • Ground Beef: Ground beef provides a savory, protein-packed base for the salad, and the taco seasoning adds plenty of flavor. You can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or even a vegetarian protein if desired.
  • Doritos: The key to this salad’s crunch factor, Doritos add a cheesy, salty bite that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different flavors, such as Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho.
  • French Dressing: The tangy sweetness of French dressing brings a creamy, slightly acidic element to the salad that complements the other ingredients. You can make your own French dressing at home or use a store-bought version for convenience.
  • Fresh Vegetables: The combination of lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions adds freshness and crunch, balancing out the richness of the beef and dressing.
  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican blend) adds a creamy, melty component to the salad that melts perfectly into the warm beef.

Instructions

Prepare the Ground Beef:

  1. Cook the Beef: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 7-8 minutes.

  2. Season the Beef: Once the beef is fully browned, drain any excess grease, and stir in the taco seasoning along with a splash of water (about 1/4 cup). Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the seasoning is evenly distributed and the beef is well-coated. Remove from heat and let the beef cool slightly.

Prepare the Vegetables:

  1. Chop the Lettuce: While the beef is cooking, chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. If using pre-chopped lettuce, simply place it in a large mixing bowl.

  2. Halve the Tomatoes: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters, depending on your preference.

  3. Dice the Onion: Dice the red onion into small, bite-sized pieces. You can soak the onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce its pungency, if desired.

  4. Optional Add-ins: If you’re using black beans, rinse and drain them. You can also add other vegetables, such as bell peppers, avocado, or corn, for extra flavor and texture.

Assemble the Salad:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, halved tomatoes, diced red onion, black beans (if using), and shredded cheese. Toss gently to mix.

  2. Add the Ground Beef: Add the warm, seasoned ground beef to the salad mixture and toss to combine with the other ingredients.

  3. Add Doritos: Just before serving, crush the Doritos slightly by hand or using a rolling pin (you want pieces, not crumbs). Add the crushed Doritos to the salad and give it another gentle toss to distribute the crunch.

  4. Add French Dressing: Pour the French dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well-coated. Be careful not to overdress the salad, as French dressing is quite flavorful. Start with half the amount and add more to taste.

Serve and Garnish:

 

  1. Garnish: Top the salad with sliced green onions for a burst of color and flavor. You can also sprinkle extra cheese or additional crushed Doritos on top for extra crunch.

  2. Serve: Serve the Dorito Taco Salad immediately for the best crunch. If you plan to serve it later, keep the Doritos and dressing separate until you’re ready to assemble and serve to maintain the salad’s crispiness.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6-8
  • Calories: 450-500
  • Fat: 30g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Protein: 20g