Everyone loves an Easy Taco Salad, loaded with spicy, juicy ground beef and Mexican seasonings. When piled atop chilled lettuce and mixed with sharp cheese and savory beans, Easy Taco Salad is a flavorful, colorful dish perfect as a side dish or as the main course for a speedy weekday dinner. You can customize it to make the taco salad of your dreams, whether that be tangy, creamy, or spicy!
Ingredients
For the beef filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup fire-roasted salsa
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 (15.5 ounces) can black beans, optional drained and rinsed
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 avocado, optional, diced
- 5 tablespoons sour cream, optional
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion, optional
- crunchy tortilla bowls or tortilla chips, optional, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –In a 12-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Step 2 –Add the beef to the skillet, cooking thoroughly until browned and cooked through.
Step 3 –Drain the fat.
Step 4 –Stir in the salsa, chili powder, and cumin. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 5 –Warm mixture through and then remove from heat.
Step 6 –Layer the lettuce, beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, and red onion in bowls or into tortilla bowls. Ladle the beef filling on top and serve.
Step 7 –Serve with tortilla chips if not using a tortilla bowl!