Simple Doritos Taco Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Crunchy taco salad with seasoned beef, cheddar, black beans, corn and crushed Doritos — ready in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
03 - 1/4 cup water

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup canned corn, drained

→ Cheese

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Chips

10 - 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, slightly crushed

→ Dressing

11 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing or Catalina dressing

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until evenly browned. Drain any excess fat.
02 - Add taco seasoning and water to the browned beef. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool for several minutes.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, drained black beans, drained corn, and shredded cheddar cheese.
04 - Add the slightly cooled seasoned beef to the salad bowl with the vegetables and cheese.
05 - Immediately before serving, add the crushed Doritos and your choice of ranch or Catalina dressing. Toss gently to combine all components evenly.
06 - Serve straight away to maintain the crunch of the Doritos.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The Doritos transform the salad into something you’ll crave, with each bite packing cheese, spice, and crunch.
  • It’s lightning fast, easier than making tacos, and feels like a treat even on busy nights.
02 -
  • If the beef mixture is too hot, the Doritos and lettuce wilt fast and lose their crunch.
  • Waiting until the last minute to toss in Doritos preserves the irresistible texture.
03 -
  • Always taste and adjust the seasoning on the beef — not all taco packets are equally salty or spicy.
  • Switch up the dressing: Catalina is tangier, while ranch gives a creamy, cooling finish.

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