This Dorito Taco Salad is a fun 20-minute dinner idea made with crunchy Cool Ranch Doritos, fresh veggies, cheese and taco sauce.
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s big on flavour without a lot of effort, this Dorito Taco Salad is it. I love the combination of crunchy Doritos, taco meat flavour and fresh veggies, and the fact that it comes together so fast.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy: This salad comes together in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- High in protein: Made with lean ground beef, cheese and lots of fresh veggies, this balanced salad will keep you full without weighing you down.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – any neutral cooking oil like avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- Bell peppers – use any colour of bell peppers or swap for a different crunchy veggie like celery or jicama.
- Red onion – white or yellow onion can also be used.
- Extra-lean ground beef – lean ground chicken or turkey or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Taco seasoning – you can use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning.
- Romaine lettuce – any salad greens can be used. Try with baby spinach or kale for an added boost of nutrients!
- Black beans – pinto beans would also be yummy on this salad.
- Frozen corn – try grilled corn in the summer or canned corn will also work.
- Field tomato – use any tomato of your choice like plum, cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Cheddar cheese – feel free to use any type of shredded or crumbled cheese you like.
- Cilantro – parsley would be the best substitute if you don’t like cilantro or leave it out.
- Cool Ranch Doritos – swap out for another flavour of Doritos.
- Taco sauce – you can also use enchilada sauce or fresh salsa.
How to make Dorito taco salad
Step 1: Cook the peppers and onion
Sauté the bell peppers and red onion until tender crisp then set aside.
Step 2: Cook the ground beef
Sauté the ground beef with the taco seasoning until cooked through and browned.
Step 3: Prep the salad toppings.
Wash and chop lettuce, dice and deseed tomatoes, chop cilantro and grate cheese. Defrost corn.
Step 4: Assemble and serve
Add lettuce to four bowls, then top with sautéed peppers and onions, ground beef, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cheese, cilantro and Doritos. Drizzle each salad with taco sauce and enjoy!
What to serve with Dorito taco salad
This is a huge salad full of protein and healthy veggies. Honestly, it is a full meal on its own! If you want to serve something extra with your Doritos taco salad, a small cup of soup or some fresh fruit would be nice.
To really amp up the flavours and get creative, add some different veggies to your salad. Here are a few of my favourite topping ideas:
- Sour cream
- Jalapenos (pickled or fresh)
- Avocado slices
- Diced chilies in adobo sauce
- Sliced black olives
- Pico de gallo
- Mango or tomatillo salsa
- Scallions
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Dorito taco salad ahead of time?
Yes! There are two ways to make this salad ahead of time. Prep the ingredients and cook the taco meat and peppers and onions ahead, then build your bowls when ready to eat. Or meal prep into mason jars by layering the sauce, taco meat, peppers and onions, beans, corn, tomatoes, shredded cheese and lettuce last. Keep the Doritos separate until serving so they stay crunchy.
Should this Dorito taco salad be served hot or cold?
Honestly, whether you serve your Doritos taco salad hot or cold is all a matter of preference. Because there is ground beef on this salad, I truly think it tastes the best when the meat is warm and the lettuce and other vegetables are cool.
Can I use a different protein in this salad?
You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken or shredded chicken. For a plant-based option, try using black beans, pinto beans, lentils or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
Storing and reheating
Make ahead: Cook the taco meat and peppers and onions, then prep the lettuce and toppings ahead of time for easy lunches or dinners. You can also layer the salad in mason jars with the wet ingredients on the bottom and the lettuce on top, then keep the Doritos in a small Ziploc bag and add just before serving.
Storing: For best results store everything separately in air tight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then assemble your salad when you’re ready to eat so everything stays fresh and crisp.
Reheating: Reheat the taco meat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Then add it to the salad with the other toppings.
Freezing: Although the whole salad is not freezer-friendly, the cooked taco meat can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. This is great to have on hand for super easy dinners.
Defrosting and reheating: Defrost the taco meat overnight in the fridge then reheat before building your salad.
More tasty salad recipes
The Best Dorito Taco Salad {Quick + Easy}
Equipment
- Glass bowls with lids for storing ingredient prep
- 32 oz mason jars for meal prep
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1/2 each red, green and yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning (recipe below – mix spices together to make seasoning, or use store bought)
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted
- 1 field tomato, diced and deseeded
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 20 Cool Ranch Doritos (or any other flavour your heart desires!)
- 1/2 cup taco sauce (I like the Old El Paso kind)
Taco Seasoning
- 1/2 cup chili powder
- 1/4 cup cumin
- 2 tbsp coriander
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp dried minced onion
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp red chili flakes
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over high heat. Add bell peppers and red onion, sauteeing for 2-3 min.
- Remove veggies from heat and set aside. Lower heat to med-high. Add ground beef, breaking up with a spoon. Add ingredients under the taco seasoning heading, then cook for another 10-12 min until beef is fully cooked.
- Add lettuce to four bowls, followed by sauteed peppers and onions, ground beef, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cheese and cilantro. Add 5-10 Doritos to each bowl. Drizzle each salad with taco sauce and enjoy!
Video
Comments & Reviews
Tara says
This is my first try and was blown away with the different flavours from our usual taco salad.
It came together so easily with the prep already done. This salad is very filling and delicious. And there’s heaps of leftovers !
I threw in some baby spinach to use up. This is the first meal from a family pack of extra lean ground beef. I also used PC’s Al Pastor taco seasoning!👌
I chose Nacho Cheese Doritos ( my son’s favourite) & he gobbled this salad up!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says
I look forward to dinner as well… it’s seriously one of my greatest joys. Like I look forward to Steak Friday more than Christmas haha not even joking. You’re bringing back some really happy memories with the Cool Ranch Doritos. That was my favorite flavor and I actually used to buy it from the school’s concession haha.