Description
A vibrant and hearty Taco Salad featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and a zesty sour cream salsa dressing, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Seasoning & Dressing
- 1 oz. packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- 16 oz. salsa (divided)
- 3/4 cup sour cream (divided)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoons cilantro (roughly chopped)
Fresh Produce
- 1 avocado
- 1 head iceberg or romaine lettuce (chopped and cleaned)
- 2 Roma tomatoes (diced)
- 2 Jalapeño peppers (seeded and diced)
- 1/3 cup red onion (diced)
Meat & Protein
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
Other
- 1 cup whole kernel corn (drained)
- 1/4 cup black olives (drained and sliced)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 4 oz. tortilla chips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prep Work: Gather all ingredients and chop vegetables. Chop the lettuce and prepare other fresh produce as indicated.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup salsa, and 1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the Avocado: Slice the avocado lengthwise in half, remove the pit, and scoop the pulp into a small bowl. Add lime juice and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Mash with a fork until creamy. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling frequently for about 7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Season the Meat: Lower heat to low. Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the beef and mix to coat evenly. Stir in 3/4 cup salsa and chopped cilantro. Add more salsa as desired. Partially cover and keep warm while assembling the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: Place chopped lettuce on serving plates or in a large salad bowl. Evenly distribute the meat mixture on top.
- Add Toppings: Layer diced tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, black beans, corn, black olives, diced red onion, and shredded Mexican cheese over the meat and lettuce.
- Add Avocado and Sour Cream: Spoon the mashed avocado over the salad, then add a dollop of sour cream to each serving.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the prepared sour cream salsa dressing over the salad or serve it on the side. Sprinkle tortilla chips on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can make your own taco seasoning by mixing chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Adjust the amount of salsa to suit your preferred level of sauciness.
- To keep the avocado from browning, prepare it just before serving and cover tightly if making ahead.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and sour cream.
- Vegetarian option: substitute cooked seasoned lentils or beans for the ground beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: taco salad, ground beef salad, Mexican salad, quick dinner, healthy salad, avocado salad
