Description
This Taco Salad – Easy 30 Minute Meal is a fresh, flavorful, and colorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, crunchy vegetables, creamy toppings, and zesty garnishes. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, it’s packed with protein and nutrients, customizable to your taste, and great for leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
Vegetables & Legumes
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Other
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed or whole for serving
- Water (a splash for simmering meat)
Instructions
- Cook and Season the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning with a splash of water and let simmer for a few minutes to develop flavor.
- Prepare Fresh Vegetables: While the meat simmers, wash and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Slice cherry tomatoes in half, dice the avocado, chop fresh cilantro, and rinse and drain black beans.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, and shredded cheese. Toss gently to mix the textures and colors evenly.
- Add the Warm Meat: Top the salad base with the warm, seasoned ground beef to slightly warm the other ingredients and meld flavors together.
- Garnish and Serve: Add avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, tortilla chips (either crushed throughout or served on the side), and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve immediately for best freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Use fresh romaine lettuce for maximum crunch and freshness.
- Drain excess fat from cooked beef to keep salad light and prevent sogginess.
- Toast tortilla chips in the oven for extra crispness if store-bought chips are soft.
- Layer ingredients to ensure every bite has a good balance of meat, beans, and veggies.
- Adjust seasoning of the meat before assembling by tasting and adding salt or spices as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Taco Salad, Quick Meal, Mexican Salad, Ground Beef Salad, 30 Minute Dinner, Healthy Salad, Gluten Free