TACO SALAD with CREAMY SOUTHWESTERN RANCH DRESSING

Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing

If you love tacos – and if you love nacho cheese Doritos, you are going to LOVE Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing!  Bursting with fresh veggies, taco-seasoned beef, crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, and drizzled with creamy southwestern ranch dressing, it’s simply irresistible!  So many layers of flavors!

Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing

EASIER THAN TACOS - PERFECT FOR A PARTY OR TACO TUESDAY!

Sure, I could just make tacos and call it a day, but this is one of my family's favorite salads - youth and old, every time I make this Taco Salad for dinner someone things its a special event!  And I don't think I can ever have enough nacho cheese Dorito chips on the side - perfect for scooping salad or crumbled and sprinkled on top!

Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT TACO SALAD:

• Brown ground meat and chopped onion in a skillet.
• Add taco seasoning and simmer. Remove skillet from heat.
• Grab a large bowl or dish that’s low and wide. I like to chill my large Hearth & Home Magnolia stoneware serving bowl ahead of time and fill with this fresh salad to keep everything fresh! 
• Place chopped lettuce in a thick layer across bottom of bowl.
• Add sliced grape tomatoes on top of the lettuce, leaving lettuce exposed at the perimeter of the bowl.
• Layer shredded cheese on top of the tomatoes, leaving tomatoes exposed at the perimeter.
• Add a mound of prepared taco meat to the very center, on top of the cheese, leaving cheese exposed at the perimeter.
• Add a dollop of fresh sour cream in the middle if you'd like!
• Sprinkle with sliced green onions or chopped fresh cilantro.
• Tuck Dorito chips around the perimeter of the bowl.
• Serve with your favorite toppings, dressings, and EXTRA DORITOS!

Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing

BEST SIDES TO SERVE WITH THIS TACO SALAD?

• Fresh Salsa
• South Cream
• Diced fresh Avocado or Guacamole
• Black Beans (rinsed & dried)
• Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
• Red Onions (diced) or Picked Red Onions
• Niblets Sweet Corn
• Jalapeno slices
• Fresh Limes (cut into wedges, for squeezing over the top)

BEST SALAD DRESSINGS TO SERVE WITH TACO SALAD:

• Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing
• Creamy Taco Salad Dressing
• Spicy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• Zesty French Dressing

Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing & LOTS of Nacho Cheese Dorito Chips!

TACO SALAD with CREAMY SOUTHWESTERN RANCH DRESSING

If you love tacos – and if you love nacho cheese Doritos, you are going to LOVE Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing!  Bursting with fresh veggies, taco-seasoned beef, crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, and drizzled with creamy southwestern ranch dressing, it’s simply irresistible!  So many layers of flavors!
​

Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing

TACO SALAD:
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 small sweet onion, diced
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 Tablespoons taco seasoning  
2 to 3 heads of romaine or 1 to 2 heads of iceberg lettuce (rinsed & chopped into bite-size pieces)
4 green onions, sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes or chopped fresh Roma tomatoes
2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
1 bag Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips (for scooping up the salad and/or for crushing over the salad)
 
CREAMY SOUTHWESTERN RANCH DRESSING: 
1/2 cup Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
½ cup sour cream
1/2 cup Salsa
1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning
 
OPTIONAL OR ON THE SIDE:
Fresh Salsa
South Cream
Diced fresh Avocado or Guacamole
Black Beans (rinsed & dried)
Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
Red Onions (diced) or Picked Red Onions
Niblets Sweet Corn (drained)
Jalapeno slices
Fresh Limes (cut into wedges, for squeezing over the top)
 
HOW I MAKE THIS:

1. PREPARE CREAMY SOUTHWESTERN RANCH DRESSING:  Combine salad dressing ingredients together in a small glass jar (with lid) or small bowl.  Shake or whisk together, until well blended.  Chill until ready to serve.
2. PREPARE TACO MEAT:  In a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, brown the ground meat and onion. When meat is nearly halfway browned, add the garlic. Once meat is browned and onion is softened, remove any excess fat from the pan. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the mixture, stir in 1/3 cup of water, and let mixture simmer over medium heat until mixture is saucy and slightly thickened. Remove pan from heat.
3. Wash lettuce or salad mix and drain well.
4. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO PREPARE AND SERVE THIS SALAD:
   • Layer or place all salad ingredients EXCEPT Dorito chips together in one large bowl; toss lightly.  To avoid soggy chips, be sure to wait until you are ready to serve to add the crushed Dorito chips on top of the mixed salad.
   • Place all the salad ingredients, optional sides, and salad dressing(s) in separate bowls, for each person to assemble their own salad. This is a great way to serve this salad for a crowd, or if someone has food allergies.
5. Serve with salad dressing on the side.

​SERVINGS:  4 generous servings
​
RECIPE NOTES:

• Both Taco Meat and Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated until ready to serve - just warm taco meat up again when you are ready to create your salad.
• OPTIONAL SALAD DRESSINGS:  Our family favorite dressing for this taco salad is Creamy Southwestern Ranch Dressing, but other favorites when serving to a crowd are Creamy Taco Salad Dressing, Spicy Buttermilk Ranch, Buttermilk Ranch, or Zesty French Dressing.
• If you happen to have leftover grilled corn on the cob, it is fabulous sliced off the cob and served on this salad!

Originally posted July 2016; revised and reposted February 2021.
 
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