Taco Salad
Updated Oct. 12, 2023
- Total Time
- 35 minutes
- Prep Time
- 20 minutes
- Cook Time
- 15 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
Ingredients
- 2tablespoons neutral oil (such as safflower or canola)
- 1pound ground beef
- Salt
- 1medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2teaspoons ground cumin
- 2teaspoons dried oregano
- 1½teaspoons chili powder
- 3garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1(15.5-ounce) can pinto beans, drained, ½ cup bean liquid reserved
- Corn chips (preferably Fritos), as desired
- 2cups/4 ounces coarsely grated Colby or Cheddar cheese, plus more for serving
- 1small head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1large beefsteak tomato, chopped
- 1avocado, chopped
- 2limes, cut into wedges
- ½cup sour cream
- Hot sauce, to serve
Preparation
- Step 1
In a large cast-iron or stainless skillet over medium-high, heat the oil until it shimmers. Add the beef and press it into one even layer. Sprinkle evenly with salt and onion, and cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned on the bottom and still slightly pink on top, and the onions have wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. If there is an excess of fat in the pan at this point, tip the skillet and use a spoon to discard it.
- Step 2
Sprinkle over the cumin, oregano, chili powder and garlic. Using a wooden spoon, break the meat into small crumbles and stir. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spices are aromatic and the meat has cooked through, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3
Add the beans and reserved bean liquid, and use the spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Simmer until mostly reduced, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, taste and add more salt if needed.
- Step 4
Arrange some corn chips evenly across the bottom of four serving plates. Evenly divide the meat mixture, cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado on top of the chips. Squeeze lime juice over the top and lightly sprinkle with salt. Top each salad with a handful of crushed corn chips, a big dollop of sour cream, and extra cheese. Serve right away with hot sauce alongside.
Private Notes
Comments
A perfect dressing for this salad is (clutch your pearls everyone, there is a bottled dressing suggestion ahead) is a half and half mix of Thousand Island dressing and a hot as you like it salsa. You're welcome.
While this is not a healthy meal, Fritos and Doritos are terrible junk food - so high in salt they’re almost inedible. Try a good quality blue corn chip like Bearitos.
This is the quintessential Seventh-day Adventist meal and is referred to as "haystacks." I prefer mine with homemade guacamole, black beans (or chili beans, or both), salsa, a blend of romaine and spinach, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and Chili Cheese Fritos.
I am an experienced cook & was very disappointed in this recipe. It is unnecessarily messy and under seasoned and under spiced. Also needs chopped chilies. Use real corn not corn chips, except for some crunch on top.
Delicious. I got a skeptical look from my son when I said we were having taco salad for dinner, but he loved it. The bean/meat mixture was enough for five servings. Worried about health aspects? All you need is a small a,punt of Fritos for plenty of crunch. We used about 2 oz for two salads. Skip the avocado and use low fat sour cream. Delish!
Diabetic? Looking for old school comfort food? To make this blood-sugar friendly, omit the corn chips. Keep cheese/cream moderate for heart-health balance. Then add extra veggies or seeds/nuts to bring back crunch and lift the nutrient profile.