This vibrant taco salad delivers all the beloved Mexican flavors you adore in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it packs a protein-rich punch with 16g per serving while keeping carbs low at only 8g.
The fresh ingredients create a colorful bowl that’s both nutritious and satisfying. With just 203 calories per serving, it’s a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite taco fixings in a lighter, fresher format.
Simple & Fresh Taco Salad Components
- Ground Meat: 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey – choose lean for a healthier option
- Seasoning Mix: 2 tablespoons taco seasoning with ½ cup water for perfect flavor blend
- Base Ingredients: 1 can black beans (drained), 1 cup corn, fresh chopped romaine lettuce
- Shell Options: 6 flour tortillas (8-inch) or tortilla chips for quick assembly
- Fresh Toppings: Cherry tomatoes, olives, shredded cheese, onions, and cilantro
- Signature Garnishes: Salsa, sour cream, and fresh guacamole or avocado chunks
Step-by-Step Assembly Guide
- Meat Preparation: Cook ground meat until browned, drain excess fat, then blend with seasoning and water for 5 minutes
- Bean & Corn Mix: Add drained beans and corn to the seasoned meat, warming everything together
- Bowl Creation: Start with tortilla shell or chips as your base layer
- Layer Building: Add crisp lettuce, followed by your warm meat mixture
- Topping Time: Sprinkle your chosen fresh toppings generously
- Final Touch: Crown your creation with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole
Homemade Tortilla Bowl Guide
- Prep Work: Brush tortillas with oil on both sides
- Shaping: Mold tortillas over ramekins with foil assistance
- Initial Bake: Heat at 375°F for 5 minutes
- Mid-Bake Adjustment: Remove ramekins and continue baking 5 minutes
- Final Crisping: Flip and secure edges, bake 7-10 minutes until golden
Mix & Match Toppings
This taco salad shines with its flexibility! Start with your favorite toppings from the list – I love loading mine up with fresh tomatoes, cheese, and lots of cilantro. Think of the toppings bar at your favorite taco spot – you can recreate that right at home! Let everyone build their own bowl with their perfect combo of toppings. The best part? There’s no wrong way to do it!
Smart Substitutions
Want to switch things up? You’ve got plenty of tasty options! Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meal. Not a fan of black beans? Pinto beans work great too.
For a vegetarian version, try using crumbled tofu or your favorite meat substitute with the same seasonings. If corn tortillas are more your style, use those instead of flour ones for the bowls – just warm them slightly before shaping to prevent cracking.
Make-Ahead Tips
Save time by prepping components ahead! The meat mixture stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. Chop lettuce and store it with a paper towel to keep it crisp. If you’re making the baked tortilla bowls, they’ll stay crunchy for 2-3 days in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, just warm up the meat mixture and set out your toppings for a quick and easy meal.
Family Serving Style
Make this meal fun by setting up a taco salad bar! Put out all the toppings in separate bowls, warm up the meat mixture, and let everyone create their perfect bowl.
Kids especially love choosing their own toppings! For parties or family dinners, you can set everything out on the counter or table buffet-style. Don’t forget to put out extra tortilla chips – they’re perfect for scooping up any tasty bits that fall to the bottom of the bowl!
Taco Salad
Equipment
- Skillet
- Cookie Sheet
- Ramekins
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 Tablespoons Taco seasoning or 1 packet
- 1/2 cup water
Toppings
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn canned or frozen
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 6 flour tortillas 8 inch, or 1 bag tortilla chips
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon into small pieces, until cooked through. Remove grease.
- Add taco seasoning and water and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in black beans and corn.
- Add baked tortilla shell or tortilla chips to the bottom of a shallow bowl. Top with a handful of lettuce, then taco meat and desired toppings.
- Add salsa, sour cream and guacamole (or avocado) on top.
