Dorito Taco Salad With Catalina Dressing

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Transform your salad game with this incredibly easy Dorito Taco Salad recipe. No one will believe how effortlessly you can make this extraordinary dish!

This recipe costs approximately $28.86 to make. The recipe makes twelve servings as a side dish and costs about $2.40 per serving

The finished Dorito Taco Salad recipe in a wooden salad bowl.

This recipe is a quick and easy meal that won’t heat up your kitchen. In just fifteen minutes, you can whip it up using store-bought dressing, a few canned ingredients, and a bag of chips.

If you have picky eaters who claim they don’t like salad, make this for them. Kids who try this salad become instant salad lovers – it’s that delicious.

Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or as a big, shareable dish for a potluck, this recipe is your go-to for a fast and satisfying meal.

Table of Contents

Why I Love This Dorito Taco Salad Recipe

Quick and Easy Preparation: Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Great for quick dinners, potlucks, or any casual gathering.
Easy Cleanup: Minimal cooking and simple ingredients mean less mess to clean up.
Convenient Ingredients: Store-bought dressing, canned foods, and chips are used for a hassle-free meal.

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $28.86

Per Serving: $2.40

1 pound lean ground beef – $3.58
2 Tablespoons taco seasoning – $0.59
1/2 cup water – $0.00
1 large heart romaine lettuce – $1.74
1 pint cherry tomatoes – $2.88
1 bag Doritos Nacho cheese chips – $5.49
1 bottle Catalina dressing – $3.49
11 oz can Fiesta corn – $2.69
15 oz can black beans – $0.79
1 small red onion – $0.33
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese – $2.49
6.5 oz can sliced black olives – $4.79

The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed and will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in June 2024.

All of the ingredients needed to make this Dorito Taco Salad recipe.

Equipment

Large skillet
Salad bowl and tongs
Wooden mixing spoon
Measuring spoons
Liquid measuring cup
Cutting board
Chef’s knife

How to Make Dorito Taco Salad

Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains; drain. Return beef to skillet, add water and taco seasoning, and stir until heated through.
Clean and cut lettuce and tomatoes; add to a large salad bowl along with the taco meat.
Add Doritos, dressing, corn, black beans, onions, cheese, and black olives.
Toss gently until lettuce is coated. Add any optional toppings and serve.

***For complete recipe instructions and a recipe video, see the recipe card below.

Cooking Tips

Add Doritos Last: Add the Doritos just before serving to keep them crunchy.
Drain the Beef: Ensure the ground beef is well-drained to prevent the salad from becoming too greasy.
Customize the Dressing: Use your favorite store-bought dressing or make a quick, homemade one for a personalized touch.
Use a Large Bowl: This salad is pretty big! We recommend using a large salad bowl to accommodate everything that goes into this salad.

Recipe FAQs

Should Taco Salad be warm or cold?

When you first make this salad, the meat will be warm, and the lettuce will be cold. It is a great combo. If you eat it as leftovers the next day, you can eat it cold.

How long is taco salad good for?

Serve chips on the side if you plan on having leftovers, as they will get soggy in the fridge. If the chips are not in the salad, they will stay fresh for up to five days when stored in an airtight container.

What can I use as a substitute for Doritos?

If you prefer a healthier option or have dietary restrictions, you can use baked tortilla chips, regular tortilla chips, or even veggie chips.

Can I add other ingredients to this salad?

Sure! You can customize the salad with additional ingredients like avocado, jalapeños, bell peppers, or shredded carrots.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. Store the taco meat, veggies, and dressing separately, then combine and add Doritos just before serving.

Storage Tips

SERVE: Serve immediately with additional toppings of your choice.

STORE: Store in an airtight container without the chips in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

FREEZE: As with most salads, we do not recommend freezing this Dorito Taco Salad.

Recipe Variations

You can easily substitute chicken or turkey for ground beef.
Substitute Cool Ranch Doritos for Nacho Cheese.
If you do not have Catalina Dressing, you can use Ranch Dressing instead.
This salad is so versatile; you can add your favorite taco toppings and almost any variety of beans like pinto beans, garbanzo beans, red kidney beans, etc.

Dorito Taco Salad on a plate with Catalina Dressing in a jar.

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