This retro favorite is a blast from the past! If you're a child of the 80's, then you've definitely enjoyed this Doritos Taco Salad on a number of different occasions. It's an easy dinner recipe and a crowd-pleasing party food that always wins rave reviews!
Every picnic, potluck or Taco Tuesday family dinner needs this classic taco salad recipe! The amazing combination of flavors and textures pleases both kids and adults. Plus, it's an easy and satisfying meal that's ready in about 15 minutes!
How to Make Doritos Taco Salad:
Begin with the taco meat. You'll need to brown the ground beef in a skillet, and then drain off the fat.
Add the taco seasoning mix and the water, bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened. Set the meat aside to cool while you work on the rest of the salad.
First, chop up a head of iceberg lettuce and place it in a large serving bowl.
Add onion, corn, kidney beans, diced tomatoes and grated cheese to the bowl with the lettuce. Toss to combine.
Next, gently fold in the cooled taco meat, the crushed Doritos and the dressing. That's it! So simple, right?!
What dressing for Doritos Taco Salad?
The salad that I grew up with always used French dressing, so that's my personal favorite! You can also use Catalina dressing, Ranch dressing, Salsa Ranch or any other dressing that you prefer. But trust me -- the sweet, creamy French just works really well!
Can you make Doritos Taco Salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the ingredients in advance, but I do not recommend tossing the salad together until just before serving. The dressing will make the chips and vegetables soggy as it sits, so this is best enjoyed right away.
To prep in advance, I suggest cutting up the vegetables, cooking the taco meat, and grating the cheese up to 1 day in advance. Keep the ingredients wrapped in the refrigerator and then combine them when you're ready to enjoy!
What goes with Doritos Taco Salad?
Thanks to protein, veggies, and chips, this entrée salad is a meal on its own! That said, here are a few other easy sides that pair well with the dish:
- 3-Ingredient Queso served with tortilla chips or veggies for dipping
- Chips and Fresh 5-Minute Homemade Salsa
- Quick and Easy Pico de Gallo
- Healthy and Easy Summer Corn Salad
- Quesadillas or Baked Taquitos
Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:
- Iceberg lettuce is our favorite in this retro classic, but you can substitute with romaine lettuce or other mixed greens if you prefer. We just love the refreshing crunch of the iceberg!
- I always use French dressing (you can't beat the sweet, creamy taste when paired with the zesty taco meat), but you can substitute with Catalina, Ranch, or any other dressing that you prefer.
- If you prefer, you can substitute an equal amount of ground chicken or ground turkey in lieu of the beef.
- I always use the classic Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos in this recipe, but Cool Ranch Doritos will also work well!
- Add any of your other favorite taco ingredients, such as diced avocado, fresh cilantro or sliced olives!
- Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half! The rest of the cooking instructions remain the same. If you prefer to cook a full 1-lb. of taco meat, you can save half of the cooked taco meat in the freezer for another meal.
Other easy taco recipes that you might enjoy:
- Doritos Taco Casserole
- Taco Stuffed Potatoes
- Easy Taco Casserole
- Easy Taco Soup
- 5-Ingredient Taco Biscuit Cups
Doritos Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
- 8 ounces French salad dressing
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain and return to skillet. Stir in taco seasoning mix and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 3-4 minutes (stirring often), until thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Place lettuce in a large bowl. Add onion, beans, corn, tomatoes and cheese. Toss.
- Add ground beef, Doritos and dressing. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- Iceberg lettuce is our favorite in this retro classic, but you can substitute with romaine lettuce or other mixed greens if you prefer. We just love the refreshing crunch of the iceberg!
- I always use French dressing (you can't beat the sweet, creamy taste when paired with the zesty taco meat), but you can substitute with Catalina, Ranch, or any other dressing that you prefer.
- If you prefer, you can substitute an equal amount of ground chicken or ground turkey in lieu of the beef.
- I always use the classic Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos in this recipe, but Cool Ranch Doritos will also work well!
- Add any of your other favorite taco ingredients, such as diced avocado, fresh cilantro or sliced olives!
- Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half! The rest of the cooking instructions remain the same. If you prefer to cook a full 1-lb. of taco meat, you can save half of the cooked taco meat in the freezer for another meal.
just like the good old days!!!! Easy Quick and so good
Awesome! Thanks, Kathy! 🙂
I remember this salad and it was thousand island not French
Yes -- you can definitely use other dressings. I like the French, but other versions include Thousand Island or Catalina. Some people even prefer Ranch. Whatever you like best will work!
Blair: On second note, I won't be looking for the bottled taco sauce. Too many people gave it a bad rating; not because of the sauce, but because of the bottle. It's because the bottle is so difficult to use, & the amount cannot be controlled either.
Doritos does make Taco flavored chips which we really like. But it's very rare that these are on the shelves at stores. But I sure would appreciate it if they would keep it on the shelves regularly. You also can eat these just as is, without it being used for Taco salad.
I make a different version ofTaco salad (there's a gazzilion versions of taco salads out there), but I don't like to use different flavors of their chips. Every one in the family also likes it the same way as we do.
Sandra W.
i sure
I like to use taco Doritos. I don't use any dressing.
Western dressing is the best if I can’t find it then I make my own usuing ketchup and oil. Recipe on line
I do the exact recipe only I use Fritos. Very good!
Also delicious!! 🙂
I like to mix everything except the lettuce and Doritos and then people can put it together as we eat it. . It makes a great do ahead salad and I don't end up with leftover soggy chips.
Great tip! Thanks, Leah!