Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

Get a quick, easy, and healthy dinner on the table in minutes with this Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing recipe.

Taco Salad Recipe

I remember being a little girl and eating a taco salad for the first time at a little local cafe. I'm sure my eyes must have lit up with I saw that giant, fried taco salad shell!

This Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing recipe comes from one of my besties, Lisa, and is just as impressive! I use tortilla chips instead of fancy fried shells, and the flavor is so good!

This means this recipe can be on the table in just minutes and is one of my standard go-to recipes that takes little thought and is made with ingredients I almost always have on hand.

The warm taco meat stretched with the addition of beans, paired with crunchy chips, creamy shredded cheese and sour cream, and then topped with cool lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and onions makes a fantastic, satisfying meal.

I've listed all my favorite toppings in the recipe, but this is a recipe that is easily altered to meet your likes and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Seems like a long list, but it is a very simple recipe with lots of topping choices. Below are a few ingredients to put in a taco salad.

• Ground Beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Salt, Pepper
• Sugar
• Black Beans
• Corn Tortilla Chips
• Lettuce
• Avocado
• Tomato
• Shredded Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Olives
• Green Onion
• Cilantro
• Catalina Dressing

How to Make Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until ground beef is browned.

Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and sugar on cooked ground beef, stir 1 minute. Add rinsed and drained beans.

Add water and cook until the ground beef mixture is heated through and the water has evaporated.

Build your taco salad with chips, ground beef/bean mixture, and all the toppings you like.

Drizzle with Catalina Dressing or my Homemade Taco Salad Dressing below and enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

Homemade Taco Salad Dressing: Catalina Dressing is an easy topping, but if you don't have it, consider making a homemade dressing that I love.

Mix together in a small bowl and top your taco salad.

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½-1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 Tablespoon white vinegar

Dorito Taco Salad--Use Nacho Doritos or Taco Doritos to add some additional flavor to your taco salad.

Chicken Taco Salad--use chopped or ground chicken in place of the ground beef or even add some chopped-up leftover rotisserie chicken.

Vegetarian Taco Salad--leave out the meat and increase the canned beans.

Ranch Taco Salad--Use ranch or spicy ranch for your dressing. I love a little BBQ sauce mixed with Ranch for a sweet, creamy version.

Storage

This recipe is best if stored not assembled. Store all but the corn tortilla chips in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Top Tips

Chop all ingredients a little smaller than bite-sized. Having a little bit of everything in each and every bite is always my goal. This means the "perfect bite" every time.

Serve immediately: Taco Salad is best served right away. No one likes a soggy chip or cold taco meat. If you need to do some prep in advance do all of the chopping and put in covered bowls in the fridge until you're ready.

Keep the Dressing on the side: This keeps your Taco Salad fresh and allows everyone to pick their favorite dressing.

Build Your Own Taco Salad: Let everyone build their own! That way people like me can have alllll of the olives! 🤭

Something Else To Try

Mexican Mac and Cheese is another quick Mexican-inspired recipe my family loves. Or if you're after something with an Asian flair, try my Quick Korean Bulgogi Bowl.

Did You Try This Recipe? ❤️

Lastly, if you made Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

Food Safety

• Wash hands before cooking
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended