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Doritos Taco Salad is the ultimate potluck crowd pleaser, piling seasoned taco beef, crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, black beans, and cheese onto crisp romaine with a tangy Catalina dressing. I bring this to every *summer cookout* because the bowl comes back scraped clean every single time, and the girls love getting to crush the Doritos. It is just as fun to dig into as our loaded tater tot nachos.
Tossing the salad with warm taco beef and Catalina dressing right before serving keeps the Doritos crunchy and every bite loaded with flavor.
Doritos Taco Salad Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 15 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 45 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 4 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 1129kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Savory, cheesy, and tangy with a crunchy nacho cheese kick
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, a crowd sized salad like our five bean salad
Quick Answer
Brown ground beef and season it with taco seasoning, cumin, garlic, and onion powder, then simmer with water and salsa. In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, crushed nacho cheese Doritos, shredded cheese, black beans, tomatoes, scallions, olives, and the warm beef. Pour Catalina dressing over the top, toss to combine, and serve right away.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Doritos add the perfect crunch. Crushed nacho cheese Doritos give this salad its signature crunchy texture and bold, cheesy flavor that makes it irresistible.
- Catalina dressing is the magic. The sweet and tangy Catalina dressing is the classic taco salad flavor that ties all the ingredients together perfectly.
- Warm beef wilts the lettuce just right. Tossing the salad with warm seasoned beef softens the romaine slightly while keeping everything fresh and hearty.
- It feeds a crowd. This big batch salad is perfect for potlucks, parties, and cookouts, and it comes together with simple, easy to find ingredients.
- It is endlessly customizable. Swap the protein, beans, cheese, or chips, and this salad still delivers that crave worthy taco flavor every time.
- Everyone loves building their bowl. Set out the components and let everyone assemble their own loaded taco salad just the way they like it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a guaranteed potluck hit that always comes back empty.
- The crunchy Doritos and tangy Catalina combo is downright addictive.
- It feeds a crowd with simple ingredients, like our loaded tater tot nachos.
Key Ingredients
Simple taco night staples come together in this loaded salad. Here is what each one does.
- Ground beef: the hearty, seasoned base. Lean beef keeps the salad from getting greasy.
- Nacho cheese Doritos: the star crunch and cheesy flavor that gives this salad its name.
- Catalina dressing: the sweet, tangy classic that pulls every taco salad bite together.
- Romaine, black beans, and cheese: the fresh, hearty, cheesy backbone of the salad.
- Taco seasoning and salsa: build the bold, savory taco flavor in the beef, much like our shredded taco chicken.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
Make this taco salad your own with a few easy swaps.
- Use ground turkey, chicken, or shredded rotisserie chicken in place of the beef.
- Swap the Catalina for ranch, salsa ranch, or a creamy avocado dressing.
- Try a different chip like Fritos, tortilla strips, or a spicy Doritos flavor.
- Add corn, avocado, jalapenos, or pickled onions to load it up even more.
- Serve it with a scoop of our Spanish rice to round out the meal.
How to Make Doritos Taco Salad
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles, for eight to ten minutes.
- Add the taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, and onion powder, stirring until the seasoning coats the meat, and cook for thirty seconds.
- Stir the seasoned beef until it is evenly coated and fragrant.
- Add the water and salsa, stir to combine, and simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a large bowl, add the romaine, crushed Doritos, cheese, black beans, tomatoes, scallions, black olives, and the warm beef mixture.
- Pour the Catalina dressing on top, toss the salad to combine, and garnish with sour cream and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Add the Doritos last. Toss them in right before serving so they stay crunchy instead of getting soggy.
- Use warm beef. Tossing the salad with warm seasoned beef wilts the lettuce just enough and melds the flavors.
- Drain the beef after browning so the salad stays fresh and not greasy.
- Crush the Doritos lightly into bite sized pieces so you get chip in every forkful without it turning to dust.
- Serve it right away, since this salad is best fresh and crunchy, much like our five bean salad is best the day it is made.
- Set out extra dressing so everyone can add more Catalina to taste.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Doritos Taco Salad is a meal in a bowl, but it also makes a fantastic potluck or cookout dish. Serve it as a main with extra toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and jalapenos, or as a hearty side at a taco bar.
For a build your own taco night, set out the components separately and let everyone assemble their own loaded bowl. It pairs perfectly with a scoop of our Spanish rice and a basket of chips.
It is also great for using up taco night leftovers. Toss any extra seasoned beef and cheese into the salad, or serve it alongside our chicken enchiladas for a big Tex Mex feast.
Doritos Taco Salad FAQs
Catalina dressing is the classic choice, with its sweet and tangy tomato flavor that pairs perfectly with taco beef and cheese. Western or French dressing also work, or you can use salsa ranch for a creamier option.
Add the Doritos and dressing right before serving and toss just until combined. If you are making it ahead for a crowd, keep the chips and dressing separate and add them at the last minute.
Yes, with a little planning. Cook the beef and chop the veggies ahead, then store everything separately. Assemble the salad with the Doritos and Catalina dressing just before serving so it stays crunchy.
Nacho cheese Doritos are the classic, but cool ranch or spicy nacho add a fun twist. Use whatever flavor your family loves, since the chips bring both crunch and bold flavor to the salad.
Absolutely. Ground turkey, chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken all work well. Just season it the same way with taco seasoning for that classic taco flavor.
It is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it pairs great with Spanish rice, refried beans, quesadillas, or a basket of tortilla chips and salsa for a full Tex Mex spread.
For another easy crowd pleaser, try our loaded tater tot nachos next.
Craving more Tex-Mex? Our Mexican stuffed peppers are a family favorite.
For another build-your-own favorite, try our taco pizza, taco night and pizza night in one easy dinner.
Top this taco salad with a spoonful of creamy avocado salsa for extra freshness.
Doritos Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup salsa
- 3 romaine hearts chopped into small pieces
- 2 cups crushed nacho cheese Doritos
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half
- 3 scallions thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 1 ½ cups Catalina dressing for serving
- sour cream for garnish, optional
- fresh chopped cilantro for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles, 8-10 minutes.1 pound lean ground beef
- Add the taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, and onion powder, stir until the seasoning is coating the meat and cook for 30 seconds.1 ounce packet taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Add the water and salsa, stir it in and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.½ cup water, ¼ cup salsa
- While you are cooking the ground beef, prepare the rest of your ingredients.
- In a large bowl, add the romaine, crushed Doritos, cheese, black beans, tomatoes, scallions, black olives, and the meat mixture.3 romaine hearts, 2 cups crushed nacho cheese Doritos, 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, 15 ounce can black beans, 1 pint grape tomatoes, 3 scallions, ¼ cup sliced black olives
- Pour the Catalina dressing on top and toss the salad to combine everything.1 ½ cups Catalina dressing
- Add more dressing if needed to your preference. Garnish with sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro.sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro
Notes
- Use your favorite Doritos flavor, we use nacho cheese.
- Tortilla chips can be used in a pinch.
- Swap out any of the ingredients you do not like.
- Double this recipe to serve more people.
- You can use other meats, see my tips above.
- If you use ground beef use a leaner one, at least 85/15.
- Iceberg lettuce can be substituted for romaine.
Nutrition
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