Dorito Taco Salad is a delicious salad we’ve been serving at potlucks for as long as I can remember!
Everyone loves a great taco salad recipe and this version is a definitely a crowd favorite!
Seasoned ground beef, fresh lettuce, pinto beans, veggies and of course Doritos all sauced up with a zingy dressing make this an exciting change to your daily menu!
I truly love salads, but sometimes they can become a bit boring. This Dorito Taco Salad definitely spices up the ‘same old salad’ slump that we tend to get into. Not only is is easy to make, but it is delicious too!
I absolutely love anything that is taco inspired from pasta to casseroles… and especially salads!
Something about that beautiful blend of spices found in taco seasoning (especially my DIY taco seasoning mix) paired with crisp fresh lettuce just tastes SO good! Of all of the taco inspired dishes I make, this one definitely tops the list because everyone always raves about it!
How to Make Taco Salad
If you happen to have leftover taco beef from a prior recipe, it’s perfect in this taco salad recipe. In fact, I often make a double batch of taco meat to store in my freezer for extra quick meals on busy weeknights.
It takes me just seconds to defrost it for quick tacos, taco salads or even for a tray of Loaded Tater Tot Nachos!
The remaining ingredients are simple and easy to keep on hand. Pinto beans and sliced black olives in the canned variety are always staples in my pantry. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, peppers and sour cream are items I always have on hand.
And OF COURSE you can’t forget the Doritos, we love the Nacho Cheese Flavor in this taco salad but you can use your favorite flavor!
How to Make Taco Salad Ahead of Time
This meal can be prepared ahead of time! The secret is to assemble everything in layers and simply toss before serving. Using the layered method keeps ingredients from becoming soggy.
- Your bottom layer will be the cooked and seasoned ground beef topped with the dressing.
- Next layer the pinto beans and sliced olives.
- Follow this with the peppers and tomatoes.
- Next layer is the lettuce and the onion.
- Add the cheese on top.
- Leave out the Doritos until just before serving.
Using the layering method above, you can assemble this Dorito salad and refrigerate for a quick and easy meal at the end of a busy day or to take along to a backyard BBQ party or potluck. Simply toss to coat everything just before serving and wait for the compliments to pour in!
What Goes In a Taco Salad
You can modify this recipe however you’d like or based on what you have on hand! I have used diced chicken breast in place of ground beef (or ground turkey), I also use different types of peppers and I like to kick up the heat a notch using spicy Doritos!
Use the veggies you love (corn is great in this recipe too) and make it your own masterpiece! It is just so easy to prepare and to top it off it tastes fantastic!
6 Taco Inspired Dishes You MUST Try
Love Taco Inspired Dishes? Me too… and here are some of my absolute favorites!
1. Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells Tender pasta shells stuffed with deliciously seasoned beef, salsa and cheese baked until bubbly.
2. Taco Pasta Salad Pasta salad with a taco twist, fresh veggies and our favorite Doritos! Must try!
3. Taco Tater Tot Casserole This casserole features seasoned beef and loads of vegetables topped with a yummy tater tot crust and baked until golden.
4. Taco Casserole with a Surprise Crust Taco night just got a whole lot more delicious… spoiler alert: if you like Doritos, you’ll love this one!
5. French Bread Tacos French Bread Tacos combine all the taco flavors you love with the delicious, crusty bread you can’t get enough of!
6. Layered Dorito Casserole Layered Doritos Casserole has layers of seasoned beef in a rich and zesty sauce topped with loads of cheese.
While assembling the ingredients is super easy to begin with, to make it even easier I love to use my favorite chopping tool! It makes chopping a breeze and you are guaranteed consistent bite sized pieces every time!
I use a whole 10 oz bag of Doritos in this recipe because I love the flavor they add. You can certainly use as much or as little as you’d like! Don’t get stuck making the same old salads this summer. Add Dorito Taco Salad to your menu and delight your family and friends!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet, or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 15 ounces canned pinto beans rinsed and drained, 1 can
- 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 10 ounces Doritos Nacho flavored
- 16 ounces Catalina salad dressing
- sour cream for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning packet and water. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, peppers, black olives, pinto beans, tomatoes, cheddar and green onions.
- Top with the seasoned and cooled ground beef.
- Slightly crush the Doritos and sprinkle on top. Drizzle with catalina dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with sour cream and additional green onions is desired.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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I GREW UP WITH A SIMILAR TACO SALAD FROM MY CHURCH RECIPE BOOK. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WE MIX THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING WITH YOUR FAVORITE BOTTLED SALSA AND POUR OVER SALAD JUST BEFORE SERVING SO CHIPS DON’T GET SOGGY. A CILANTRO CREAMY DRESSING IS ALSO GOOD.
Oh boy, that sounds so delicious Kathy! Thanks for sharing.
Is the nutritional information for the Doritos Taco Salad per serving or for the entire salad??
Hi Peggy, it is per serving :)
Looks yummy. Want the recipe
THanks Tonya! You can find it at the bottom of the page.
Dorito taco salad amazing.
I am thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe Mary!
I made it tonight for a post-sailing race potluck. Nothing was left! This never happens. I love eating at a potluck and always feel bad when no one eats my dish!!
I have fond memories of my friend’s mom making this as a teen.
I followed the recipe, but used about a quarter of a bottle of Catalina. And used rinsed black beans instead of pinto. And threw in two handfuls of chopped spinach for color (and to use it up). And I had plain round tortilla chips, so just used them but will use Doritos next time.
I meant to use the pre-assemble layer method. But forgot and started with the lettuce. So I arranged the ingredients on top of the lettuce (the meat was room temp). It looked so nice, like the author/bloggers photo. It sat out for 2 hours and then I tossed it and it was crispy and delish.
Yay!! We love that feeling when everyone has to try our potluck dish. So happy it worked out for you Evie and Maggie!
I made this but halved the ingredient quantities bc it’s only him & I. It was soooo good. We ate it for dinner and the for lunch the next day. I researched several Doritos Taco Salad recipes and THIS ONE was the BEST! He said today “we need to have That Doritos Taco Salad again soon!” He liked it that much!
Yay, so happy to hear that Gramma Sue! This recipe is on heavy rotation around here too.
We male taco salad for almost every potluck! The only difference is we make our own dressing – and feel it’s so much better than a bottle of catalina dressing. Also made with what you have in your kitchen at almost any time – so easy too. I’d be happy to share – if anyone is interested. :)
Sounds delicious Marjorie!
Great recipe!
Marjorie Ellis, I’m interested!
Would love to hear what your dressing recipe is!
I would love your dressing recipe!
Great recipes
Good looking Recipes
Thanks Tina! You made my day!
That’s some great Recipes
Thanks so much Tina!
Amazing recipe…we love it
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe BJ!
thank you so much for your help feeding my family alone with a deadbeat father and you have yummly link there too. thanks again.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the recipes Sandra!
I love this site
Thanks Rebecca!
I took this to a church potluck! Delicious! My only comment would be to start with 1/2 of the amount of dressing and add more as needed! It seemed to overpower the crispness of the salad. But, as I said, it was delicious Thanks for the share!
Thanks for the feedback and I am glad that the dish was enjoyed at the potluck Vera!
I want all your recipes!!!!
Thanks Janice! Lucky for you, you totally can have them all! We share them all on here! Enjoy!
Awesome!
Thanks Teresa!
I’ve made this salad since I was in my teens! I add picante/salsa to the Catalina dressing, absolutely delicious!
Great additions Tammy, thanks for sharing!
My family loved this salad. I would like to recommend that the first time you make it that you only place half the amount of Catalina dressing in. Then mix it up, taste , then add as much as your taste desires.
I am so glad your family liked the recipe! Thanks for sharing your suggestion!
Made this tonight and it was so big that now we have leftovers for tomorrow! No cooking, love it! Used the salsa and sour cream and the Catalina….great blend of flavors! Great recipe!
Love the leftovers Cheryl! Happy to hear that you love the taco salad!
I’ve made this for years and always asked to bring it to our work potlucks. No beans or avocado. The secret is in the dressing….Green Goddess dressing. Everyone I know now uses Green Goddess dressing. You will to!
Yummy, I’ll have to add it to my “must try” list next time I make this!
What brand green goddess dressing do you use or do you make your own?