Description

Bold, crunchy, and loaded with flavor, this Doritos Taco Salad is a fun, crowd-pleasing twist on a classic taco salad. It’s layered with seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy dressing, shredded cheese, and of course—crushed nacho cheese Doritos for that signature crunch. Whether you’re serving it at a cookout, potluck, or as a weeknight dinner, this salad brings flavor and fun to the table.

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning)
½ cup water
6 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
½ cup red onion, finely diced
2 cups nacho cheese Doritos, lightly crushed

For the Dressing:

½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp taco sauce or salsa
1 tbsp lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

Sliced avocado or guacamole
Jalapeño slices
Fresh cilantro
Extra Doritos for topping
Hot sauce or extra salsa

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned and fully cooked.
Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Mix the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayo, taco sauce, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, combine chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beans, corn, and red onion.
Add the cooked taco meat and toss lightly.

Step 4: Add Dressing and Doritos
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
Just before serving, fold in the crushed Doritos for that fresh crunch.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Top with avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, or extra chips if desired.
Serve immediately while the chips are still crispy!

Notes

Don’t Add Doritos Too Early – They’ll soften if they sit too long in the dressing.
Let the Meat Cool Slightly – Keeps lettuce crisp and prevents wilting.
Use Fresh Lettuce – Romaine or iceberg offers the best crunch.
Make it Vegetarian – Skip the meat and add more beans or meatless crumbles.
Serve on the Side – For parties, keep ingredients separate for easy assembly.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cuisine: American Tex-Mex