Description
This Beef Taco Salad is a quick, flavorful, and hearty meal loaded with seasoned ground beef, crisp veggies, tortilla chips, and a creamy lime dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried coriander
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth or water
For the Salad
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup cooked corn (canned or frozen, thawed)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 medium ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed
For the Creamy Lime Dressing
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, coriander, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato paste and beef broth (or water). Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, layer romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onion, cooked corn, cheddar cheese, avocado, and cilantro.
- Add the cooked ground beef and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top.
- Dress and Serve:
- Drizzle the creamy lime dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine.
Notes
- Protein Swap: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add Spiciness: Include diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Make Ahead: Prep the salad ingredients and dressing separately, and assemble just before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but add tortilla chips and dressing fresh.
