Doritos Taco Salad

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Crunchy, zesty, and a little nostalgic, Doritos Taco Salad is the kind of dish that steals the show at potlucks, family dinners, or any night you want a fast and satisfying meal. With layers of seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, tangy dressing, and bold Nacho Cheese Doritos, it hits all the right notes of comfort and flavor.

This salad isn’t just easy to throw together—it’s also endlessly customizable. You can swap in your favorite proteins or add extra toppings to make it your own. It’s a fun, flexible way to make salad exciting again, especially when cravings call for something crunchy, cheesy, and bold.

Why You’ll Love This Doritos Taco Salad

This isn’t your average taco salad. The crushed Doritos add an unexpected burst of flavor that instantly transforms the salad into something crave-worthy. It’s a one-bowl meal that’s hearty enough for dinner but still light enough for lunch. Plus, you can make it ahead for parties or picnics—just toss in the chips right before serving to keep them crisp.

Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or hosting friends, Doritos Taco Salad gets people excited about salad, and that’s saying something.

What Kind of Doritos Should I Use?

Classic Nacho Cheese Doritos are the go-to here for their bold flavor and satisfying crunch, but don’t be afraid to play around. Cool Ranch works surprisingly well if you’re after something tangier. Spicy Sweet Chili adds a bold kick. Pick your favorite or mix and match to suit your mood. The chips are the fun part—let them shine!

Ingredients for the Doritos Taco Salad

The beauty of this salad is how the ingredients come together in a perfect harmony of flavor and texture. Each one has a purpose: freshness, crunch, creaminess, or seasoning.

• Ground beef
• Taco seasoning
• Romaine or iceberg lettuce
• Grape tomatoes
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Black beans
• Sliced black olives
• Catalina or French dressing
• Nacho Cheese Doritos
• Green onions
• Sour cream (optional)

How To Make the Doritos Taco Salad

Step 1: Cook the Beef

Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat and stir in the taco seasoning with a splash of water. Let it simmer until the beef is coated and flavorful.

Step 2: Prep the Veggies

While the beef is cooking, chop the lettuce, slice the grape tomatoes, and thinly slice the green onions. If you’re using black olives, drain and slice them too.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, layer the lettuce, seasoned beef, tomatoes, black beans, cheddar cheese, olives, and green onions. Drizzle generously with Catalina dressing.

Step 4: Add the Crunch

Right before serving, crush a couple handfuls of Doritos and sprinkle them over the top. Add a dollop of sour cream if you’d like, and gently toss everything together.

Serving and Storing This Salad

This Doritos Taco Salad serves about 6 people as a main dish, or more if you’re making it as a side. It’s perfect fresh, when the chips still have their full crunch. If you’re making it ahead of time, store all components separately and toss together right before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a day, but the chips will soften—still tasty, just not as crunchy.

What to Serve With Doritos Taco Salad?

Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Creamy, cheesy, and spiced, it pairs beautifully with the tangy crunch of this salad.

Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Refreshing and hydrating, this light side cools the palate.

Cheesy Quesadillas

Simple, gooey quesadillas are always a hit next to a taco-inspired salad.

Cilantro Lime Rice

Bright and zesty rice balances out the savory flavors of the beef.

Guacamole & Chips

You can’t go wrong with a side of fresh guac and tortilla chips.

Churro Bites

End on a sweet note with some cinnamon-sugar coated churros.

Fresh Mango Slices

A tropical bite helps balance the rich salad.

Jalapeño Poppers

Spice lovers will appreciate this crispy, cheesy snack on the side.

Want More Salad Ideas with a Twist?

If this Doritos Taco Salad made you rethink what salad can be, you’ll love these other creative twists from Luna Meals:

• Try the zesty balance in this Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)
• Keep things fresh with Apple Salad
• Looking for hearty? This Crockpot Loaded Steak and Potato Bake delivers comfort and crunch
• The Marinated Cucumbers, Onions, and Tomatoes make a great refreshing side

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest salad board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you stick with Nacho Cheese or try a twist? Add jalapeños or corn?

I love seeing how everyone makes it their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s make taco salad even more fun together!

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting meals and salads on Luna Meals on Pinterest and find your next bold favorite.

Conclusion

Doritos Taco Salad is everything we love about tacos, tossed into a crunchy, satisfying bowl. It’s bold, bright, and full of texture—perfect for feeding a crowd or upgrading a weeknight dinner. Keep it simple or pile it high with extras, and don’t forget the chips. This is one salad that never gets boring.

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