Fiesta Taco Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish packed with fresh vegetables, seasoned ground beef, crunchy tortilla chips, and zesty toppings. It’s a fun, customizable meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This salad is hearty enough to be a complete meal, yet light and refreshing with crisp lettuce and bright flavors from salsa and avocado. You can easily swap ingredients to suit your preferences or make it vegetarian by swapping the beef for black beans.
Ingredients:
For the beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- ¼ cup water
For the salad:
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed or broken into pieces
For the dressing:
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- ½ cup salsa (your favorite kind)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped (for extra flavor)
Toppings (optional):
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Hot sauce
Instructions:
- Cook the beef:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 6-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat, then add the taco seasoning and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until the beef is well coated in seasoning and the liquid has reduced. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, salsa, lime juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. If you want a thinner dressing, add a little more lime juice or a splash of water.
- Assemble the salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, diced avocado, red onion, shredded cheese, and black olives (if using).
- Add the seasoned beef on top of the salad.
- Add the chips and dressing:
- Just before serving, sprinkle the tortilla chips over the salad for crunch. Drizzle the dressing over the top, or serve it on the side.
- Garnish and serve:
- Garnish the salad with your favorite toppings, such as jalapeños, fresh cilantro, or extra lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Enjoy this colorful and satisfying Fiesta Taco Salad, a fun and delicious way to enjoy all the best taco flavors in a fresh and hearty salad!
