About This Recipe
Dorito Taco Salad is a classic American potluck and family meal dish. It is a deconstructed taco served in salad form, using crushed Doritos brand chips as a primary ingredient and textural component. The recipe is known for its simplicity, minimal cooking requirements, and bold, familiar flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe requires minimal preparation and cooking time. It utilizes common pantry and store-bought ingredients. The combination of textures from the crisp lettuce, crunchy chips, and seasoned meat is a key feature. The recipe is easily scalable for large gatherings or family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos chips
- 1/2 cup French or Western dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
Step by Step Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is thoroughly browned. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add the taco seasoning mix and the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet to the cooked beef. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion.
- Place the entire bag of Doritos chips into a large, sealed plastic bag. Use your hands or a rolling pin to crush the chips into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the completely cooled taco meat and the crushed Doritos chips to the salad bowl with the lettuce mixture.
- Pour the French or Western dressing over the salad.
- Toss the salad gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated with the dressing.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a dollop of sour cream.
FAQ
Can I use a different flavor of Doritos?
Yes. While Nacho Cheese is the traditional flavor used, Cool Ranch is a common alternative that changes the flavor profile of the salad.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the ground beef. The taco seasoning should be adjusted to match the weight of the meat used.
Is there a substitute for French dressing?
Catalina dressing is a common and nearly identical substitute for French dressing in this recipe. Some variations use a mixture of salsa and ranch dressing.
You Must Know
The salad should be assembled and served immediately after adding the dressing and crushed chips. The Doritos chips will quickly lose their crunch and become soggy if left to sit for an extended period. For the same reason, leftovers do not store well.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Be aware that the lettuce will wilt and the Doritos will become soft. It is not recommended to freeze this salad.