This Dorito taco salad is my ultimate crowd-pleaser. It’s bold, crunchy, cheesy, and loaded with all the Tex-Mex flavors I love. With seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, tangy dressing, and crushed Doritos, it’s the kind of salad that gets devoured in minutes—whether it’s a family dinner or a potluck hit.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love how this taco salad combines everything I crave in one big bowl: salty chips, creamy dressing, juicy meat, and crisp veggies. It’s super easy to throw together, and I can scale it up or down depending on how many mouths I’m feeding. The best part? It doesn’t feel like a typical salad—it feels like a taco party in a bowl, and I never get tired of it.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Ground beef
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Taco seasoning
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Iceberg lettuce, chopped
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Cherry tomatoes, halved
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Red onion, diced
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Cheddar cheese, shredded
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Nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
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Canned black beans or kidney beans (optional)
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Catalina or French dressing
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Sliced black olives (optional)
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Sour cream or avocado for serving (optional)
Directions
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I start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Once cooked through, I drain the excess grease and stir in the taco seasoning with a splash of water. I let it simmer for a few minutes until the flavors meld.
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While the beef is cooling slightly, I prep the veggies—chop the lettuce, slice the tomatoes, dice the onions, and shred the cheese.
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In a large bowl, I combine the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, beans, and olives if I’m using them.
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I add the cooled taco meat and toss everything together.
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Just before serving, I pour in the dressing and mix well.
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I finish it off by adding the crushed Doritos on top or mixing them in for full crunch. I always serve it right away so the chips stay crisp.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves about 6 people as a main or up to 8 as a side. It takes me around 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, so it’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Variations
When I want to switch it up, I swap the beef for ground turkey or even grilled chicken. Sometimes I mix in corn or diced bell peppers for more color and crunch. If I’m going meatless, I just double up on the beans and add avocado chunks for that creamy texture. And when I’m feeling extra bold, I use spicy Doritos or jalapeños to add heat.
Storage/Reheating
This salad is best eaten right after mixing, but I store leftovers without the chips and dressing to keep everything fresh. I keep the meat, veggies, and cheese in the fridge for up to 3 days, then assemble fresh portions when I’m ready. I reheat the meat gently in the microwave before tossing it in.
FAQs
Can I make Dorito taco salad ahead of time?
Yes, I prep all the components in advance but keep the chips and dressing separate until just before serving so nothing gets soggy.
What kind of dressing works best?
I love Catalina or French dressing for the tangy-sweet flavor, but I’ve also used ranch or chipotle ranch when I want something creamier.
Are there healthier alternatives to Doritos?
Sure—I sometimes use baked tortilla chips or even a small handful of crushed pita chips, but let’s be real, the nacho cheese Doritos are what make it.
Can I serve this at a potluck?
Absolutely. It’s perfect for sharing. I just bring everything in separate containers and toss it together at the last minute.
Is it spicy?
It depends on the taco seasoning and chips I use. I control the heat level by choosing mild or spicy versions and adding jalapeños if I want extra fire.
Conclusion
This Dorito taco salad is my not-so-secret weapon for parties, quick dinners, and anytime I need something fun and flavorful. It’s easy to customize, incredibly satisfying, and always gets rave reviews. One bite and it’s clear—this isn’t your average salad.
Print
Crunchy Dorito Taco Salad That Steals the Show
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (main) or 8 servings (side)
- Category: Main Dish, Salad, Party Food
- Method: Stovetop, Tossed Salad
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Dorito Taco Salad is the crunchy, cheesy, flavor-packed dish that always steals the spotlight. With seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy dressing, and crushed nacho cheese Doritos, it’s a Tex-Mex twist on salad that’s bold, customizable, and impossible to resist. Perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or game-day spreads!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or homemade equivalent)
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
- 1 cup canned black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- ¾ cup Catalina or French dressing
- Sour cream or avocado, for topping (optional)
Instructions
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In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
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Stir in taco seasoning with a splash of water. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, then remove from heat to cool slightly.
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While beef cools, prepare the veggies—chop lettuce, slice tomatoes, dice onion, and shred cheese.
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In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheese, beans, and olives if using.
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Add cooled taco meat to the bowl and toss to combine.
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Just before serving, pour in the dressing and mix well.
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Add crushed Doritos on top or fold them in gently for crunch.
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Serve immediately with sour cream or avocado on the side if desired.
Notes
- To avoid soggy chips, wait until the last minute to mix in the Doritos and dressing.
- Swap ground beef for turkey, grilled chicken, or extra beans for a vegetarian version.
- Spicy Doritos or sliced jalapeños can turn up the heat if you like things fiery.
- Great for parties—just keep ingredients separate until ready to serve.
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