Description
A vibrant and hearty Taco Salad featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, crunchy tortilla chips, and a tangy mix of sour cream and salsa. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal combining rich Mexican-inspired flavors with fresh salad ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 2 cups lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup olives, sliced
Protein and Seasoning
- 1 cup ground beef, cooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup tortilla chips, crushed
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil to prepare for cooking the ground beef.
- Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and cooked through.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir to combine and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spices release their aroma.
- Cool the Beef: Remove the skillet from heat and set the seasoned ground beef aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Salad Base: In a large bowl, add shredded lettuce as the foundation of the salad.
- Add Fresh Vegetables: Top the lettuce with halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and rinsed black beans.
- Add Cooked Beef: Evenly distribute the cooled, seasoned ground beef over the salad ingredients.
- Add Cheese and Olives: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and sliced olives on top of the beef.
- Add Crunch: Crush tortilla chips by hand and scatter them evenly over the salad for added texture.
- Add Dressings: Drizzle sour cream and salsa evenly across the top of the salad.
- Toss Gently: Toss the salad carefully to combine all ingredients without wilting the lettuce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and add extra salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the taco salad right away to enjoy its freshest flavors and textures.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content.
- Black beans add fiber and protein; rinsing helps reduce sodium.
- To make it spicier, add some jalapeño slices or hot sauce.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with seasoned cooked lentils or meatless crumbles.
- Chilling ingredients before serving helps maintain crispness.
