Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Taco Salad with Doritos is a crunchy and savory recipe, which is made with seasoned ground beef and nacho cheese Doritos. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 25 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Taco Salad with Doritos Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning mix
- 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained
- ½ (12 ounce) bag nacho cheese-flavored corn chips (such as Doritos®), crushed
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 ½ medium tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste
- ½ cup Catalina salad dressing, or to taste
How To Make Pioneer Woman Taco Salad with Doritos Recipe
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the ground beef and diced onion with salt and pepper until the beef is browned and the onion is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Season the Meat: Add the water and taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 1 minute to thicken. Set the meat mixture aside to cool down.
- Assemble and Serve: In a large serving bowl, add the drained kidney beans, crushed Doritos, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded Cheddar cheese, and Catalina dressing. Top with the cooled meat mixture and toss everything gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to keep the Doritos from getting soggy? The key is to add the crushed chips and the dressing right before you toss and serve the salad. This keeps them as crunchy as possible.
- Can I use a different dressing? While Catalina dressing provides the classic sweet and tangy flavor, French or Thousand Island dressing are popular and delicious alternatives.
- What other toppings can I add? Feel free to customize this salad with toppings like sliced black olives, diced avocado, jalapeños for some heat, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Can I make this salad ahead of time? It’s best assembled right before serving. However, you can prepare the components ahead of time: cook the meat mixture and store it in the fridge, and chop the veggies. When you’re ready to eat, just combine everything in a bowl.
What To Serve With This Taco Salad
This salad is a hearty meal all on its own, but it also pairs well with a few simple sides.
- Cornbread muffins
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- A side of fresh guacamole
How To Store Taco Salad
- Best Eaten Fresh: This salad is best enjoyed immediately after it’s been tossed together to maintain the crunchiness of the lettuce and chips.
- Refrigerate: If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but be aware that the Doritos and lettuce will become soft.
Pioneer Woman Taco Salad with Doritos Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Sugar: 15g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
u003cstrongu003eCanu003c/strongu003e I use groundu003cstrongu003e turkey instead of beef?u003c/strongu003e
Yes, ground turkey is a great, leaner alternative to ground beef in this recipe. Just be sure to season it well.
Why did my taco salad get watery?
This can happen if the ground beef isn’t drained of excess fat before adding the other ingredients, or from the liquid released by the tomatoes. Letting the meat mixture cool and adding the tomatoes just before serving can help prevent this.
Is Catalina dressing the same as French dressing?
They are very similar, as both are sweet and tangy oil-and-vinegar-based dressings. However, Catalina is typically a bolder red color and is usually less creamy than most French dressings.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Potato Salad with Frozen Potatoes Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Taco Salad with Doritos Recipe
Description
A crunchy and savory taco salad loaded with seasoned beef, nacho cheese Doritos, and a sweet Catalina dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté beef and onion until browned; season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in water and taco seasoning; simmer for 1 minute and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, beans, cheese, and crushed Doritos.
- Add the cooled meat mixture to the bowl.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately for the best crunch.
Notes
- u003cliu003eFor maximum crunch, do not toss the salad until you are ready to serve.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eYou can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFeel free to add other toppings like black olives, avocado, or sour cream.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003ePrep all components ahead of time and store them separately for a quick assembly later.u003c/liu003e
