This Doritos Taco Salad is a delightful twist on a classic taco salad, combining the crunch of Doritos with the savory flavors of seasoned ground beef. It's a quick and easy meal that's perfect for a casual dinner or a fun gathering with friends and family.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are commonly found in your pantry or refrigerator. However, you may need to pick up a packet of taco seasoning and a bag of Doritos if you don't already have them on hand. These items are usually available in the snacks and spices aisles of your local supermarket.

Ingredients for Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
Ground beef: Provides the main protein for the salad, adding a rich and savory flavor.
Taco seasoning: A blend of spices that gives the beef a classic taco flavor.
Doritos: Adds a crunchy texture and a burst of cheesy flavor to the salad.
Lettuce: Provides a fresh and crisp base for the salad.
Cheddar cheese: Adds a creamy and tangy element to the salad.
Tomatoes: Adds a juicy and slightly acidic contrast to the other ingredients.
Sour cream: Adds a creamy and tangy topping to the salad.
Salsa: Adds a spicy and flavorful kick to the salad.
Technique Tip for This Taco Salad
When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures that the beef cooks evenly and absorbs the taco seasoning more thoroughly, enhancing the overall flavor of your Doritos taco salad.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can be seasoned similarly to ground beef.
ground beef - Substitute with black beans: Black beans provide a vegetarian alternative and add a different texture and flavor.
taco seasoning - Substitute with homemade spice mix: A mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder can replicate taco seasoning.
crushed doritos - Substitute with tortilla chips: Tortilla chips offer a similar crunch and can be seasoned to taste.
crushed doritos - Substitute with pita chips: Pita chips provide a different texture and can be a healthier option.
chopped lettuce - Substitute with spinach: Spinach adds more nutrients and a slightly different flavor profile.
chopped lettuce - Substitute with kale: Kale is a hearty green that adds a different texture and more nutrients.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella: Mozzarella has a milder flavor and melts well.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta adds a tangy flavor and a different texture.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are sweeter and can add a burst of flavor.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with salsa: Salsa can add more flavor and spice to the salad.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is a healthier option with a similar creamy texture.
sour cream - Substitute with avocado: Mashed avocado provides a creamy texture and healthy fats.
salsa - Substitute with pico de gallo: Pico de gallo offers a fresh, chunky texture and similar flavors.
salsa - Substitute with hot sauce: Hot sauce can add spice and flavor without the chunkiness of salsa.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Taco Salad
How to Store or Freeze This Taco Salad
To keep your Doritos Taco Salad fresh, store the lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese separately from the ground beef and crushed Doritos. This prevents the lettuce from becoming soggy and the Doritos from losing their crunch.
Place the ground beef in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay good for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet or microwave before adding it to the salad.
Store the lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese in separate airtight containers or resealable bags. They will remain fresh for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Keep the crushed Doritos in a resealable bag at room temperature. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag to maintain their crispiness.
If you have mixed the Doritos Taco Salad together and have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 1-2 days for the best taste and texture.
For freezing, avoid freezing the lettuce and diced tomatoes as they do not freeze well. Instead, freeze the cooked ground beef and shredded cheese separately. Place them in freezer-safe bags or containers, and they will last for up to 2 months.
When ready to use the frozen ground beef and shredded cheese, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the ground beef before adding it to the fresh salad ingredients.
To assemble the salad after freezing, combine the thawed ground beef and shredded cheese with fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, and crushed Doritos. Serve with sour cream and salsa on the side or mixed in.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover Doritos Taco Salad evenly on a baking sheet. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent the Doritos from getting too crispy. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the ground beef is warmed through.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the Doritos Taco Salad in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
If you prefer a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the Doritos Taco Salad and stir occasionally until the ground beef is warmed through, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overheat to avoid soggy Doritos.
For a fresh twist, reassemble the salad. Reheat only the ground beef using any of the above methods. Then, combine with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and new Doritos for a crisp and refreshing experience.
Best Tools for Making This Taco Salad
Skillet: Used to cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
Spatula: Handy for stirring and breaking up the ground beef as it cooks.
Colander: Useful for draining excess fat from the cooked ground beef.
Measuring cup: Needed to measure out the shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.
Large bowl: Essential for combining the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crushed Doritos.
Mixing spoon: Ideal for tossing the salad mixture with the cooked beef.
Knife: Necessary for chopping the lettuce and dicing the tomatoes.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for chopping the lettuce and dicing the tomatoes.
Serving spoon: Useful for serving the salad with sour cream and salsa on the side or mixed in.
How to Save Time on Making This Taco Salad
Pre-cook the beef: Cook the ground beef ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly assemble the salad when needed.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by using pre-shredded cheddar cheese instead of shredding it yourself.
Pre-chop the veggies: Chop the lettuce and tomatoes in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Buy pre-crushed chips: Some stores sell crushed Doritos or you can crush them in bulk and store them for later use.
Ready-made salsa: Use store-bought salsa to save time on preparation.
Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning
- 1 bag Doritos crushed
- 1 head Lettuce chopped
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Tomatoes diced
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Salsa
Instructions
- 1. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- 2. Add taco seasoning to the beef according to the packet instructions. Set aside to cool slightly.
- 3. In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crushed Doritos.
- 4. Add the cooked beef to the salad mixture and toss to combine.
- 5. Serve with sour cream and salsa on the side or mixed in.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Taco Salad
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Matzo Ball Soup Recipe1 Hours
- Black Beans and Rice Recipe40 Minutes
- Basic Mashed Potatoes Recipe30 Minutes
- Oven Roasted Potatoes Recipe50 Minutes
- Zucchini Pancakes Recipe35 Minutes
- Watermelon Martini Recipe10 Minutes
- Pita Pizza Recipe20 Minutes
- Air Fryer Burgers Recipe25 Minutes
Leave a Reply