My taco salad with Catalina dressing and crunchy Doritos has all of my favorite classic taco flavors, finished with a tangy dressing, and a satisfying crunch.
This easy meal will get rave reviews from picky eaters when served as the main dish and is always a crowd favorite at family gatherings. Best of all, it is ready in only 15 minutes!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Lean ground beef - I recommend using 90/10 beef so it doesn't get too greasy. If you use 80/20, make sure to drain out the excess fat from the skillet. You could even use ground turkey or ground chicken instead in this simple salad.
- Taco Seasoning - Use the equivalent seasoning needed for 2 pounds of meat.
- Iceberg Lettuce - Romain lettuce is a good substitute, or buy shredded lettuce at the grocery store to save time.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Sliced Black Olives
- White Onion - You can use a yellow onion or a sweet onion, but white onions have the best crunch. The flavor of red onion would overpower this salad in my opinion.
- Fresh Tomatoes - Pico de Gallo is a great substitute.
- Catalina Salad Dressing - Western dressing, Ranch dressing, or even French dressing will work as a great substitute.
- Nacho Cheese Doritos - Feel free to substitute your favorite Doritos flavor. You could also use tortilla chips or corn chips for a crunch, but they bring much less flavor to the party.
If you wish to customize this easy recipe with your favorite taco toppings. Sour cream would be a great addition, as would fresh veggies like green onions, sweet corn, black beans, or green peppers!
How to make it
Catalina taco salad is really easy to make. Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once browned, stir in the taco seasoning.
Tip: It is often easier to add a little water when adding the taco seasoning mix to help it disperse more evenly. Then, cook the water out.
The vegetables can all be prepped and chopped while the ground meat cooks. Place the prepared vegetables in a large bowl. Once the ground beef is cooked, remove it from the heat and let the meat mixture cool.
Once the beef is at room temperature (so it won't wilt the lettuce), add it to the large bowl with the Doritos and plenty of tangy Catalina dressing, to taste. Mix well with a wooden spoon and serve.
How to store it
This easy taco salad recipe with Catalina dressing is great to make in advance, actually, it is best to make it in advance because it tastes fantastic cold the next day! Just store the leftover taco salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and add the dressing and crushed Doritos when you are ready to eat. The Doritos will get soft and mushy if you keep them in the fridge with the salad.
Doritos Taco Salad with Catalina dressing
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 packets taco seasoning (or equivalent for 2 lbs meat)
- 1 head iceberg lettuce (chopped)
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 6.5 ounce canned sliced black olives
- 1 medium white onion (chopped)
- 2 large tomatoes (chopped)
- Catalina dressing
- Nacho Cheese Doritos
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the taco seasoning. Set aside and let cool.
- Chop all vegetables and place in a large bowl with cheese.
- Once taco meat is no longer hot, add to the bowl and toss to combine.
- Add catalina dressing to taste and top generously with Doritos.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com on May 26, 2015.
Lacey
Hello, I just found this site and the taco salad caught me eye. I used to make this easy back in my 20’s but lost the recipe. My question is if I put all ingredients in and mix it up including the Catalina, and there’s leftovers will the lettuce get soggy in refrigerator?
Vicki Gorsegner
Do you add water with the taco seasoning? Making this for a family reunion. Thank you
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes, you can. It isn't required, but it will help evenly distribute the seasoning. Just make sure you simmer the liquid back out so it isn't soupy.
Bev
What’s a western dressing?
Fox Valley Foodie
It is a flavor sold by Wish Bone. Most major stores should carry it.
Janice
What a great recipe. It's so like the way I make mine. It immediately caught my attention. I think it was the Catalina Dressing. I make my beef with ranch beans. When it's ready, I have all your ingredients ready and in bowls plus I use crushed Tostitos instead of Doritos, sour cream, Kraft Honey Catalina dressing and maybe sliced avacado or guac. Guests can add any or all toppings and in any order they choose. Thank you for all the great recipes you offer.
Mary
Hello Foodie,
I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this recipe. You see, my mom use to make this for us as kids growing up in Manitowoc, Wi. She only made it in the summer months, so being from Wisconsin, you know that didn’t last long.
When I was done making it for my family, and of course had to taste a spoonful, all those wonderful memories of my childhood came rushing back to me. You brought a nostalgic tear to my eye and a smile on my face. Thank you, Foodie!
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks for the nice comment, I enjoy hearing stories like this.
Nancy
I make this one with a half and half combination of Catalina dressing and Southwest Chipolte dressing. i go a tad heavier on the Chipolte if I'm a spicier mood! Tastes awesome!
Tonya
I make one similar to this. I use salsa and thousand island dressing. I mix the chopped up lettuce with the meat add shredded cheese black olives a jar of salsa thousand island dressing and of course the Doritos and mix it all together right before serving it. You better fill your plate up because when going back for seconds it's always all gone.
Sharon
This was even better than I hoped for!
Karly
This is my kind of taco salad. Looks SO good- all the fixins that make a taco salad what it is!