Fabulous Taco Salad Recipes

BEST TACO SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Start with the taco meat.** Brown 1 pound ground beef in a skillet on the stove, over medium heat. Break up the meat into small pieces. Once it is no longer pink (3-5 minutes), remove from heat. Tilt the pan and scoop the grease into a foil-lined bowl (then refrigerate and toss when solidified). Return the pan back to the stove and set over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup Premium McCormick's taco seasoning. (Or a regular taco packet will do. See notes for a homemade recipe.) Add 3/4 cup water to the pan. Let the mixture come to a simmer. Turn off the heat when there is still thickened liquid at the bottom of the pan. If you cook until all the liquid has evaporated, you will have dry taco meat; no thanks. Set aside and keep warm, covered.
• Prep the lettuce and herbs. Chop the romaine into bite size pieces and dry in a salad spinner (or dry off with paper towels). Add 1/2 cup chopped green onions and 1 bunch of chopped cilantro. Spin to mix, or add to a large bowl and toss together.
• Prep your toppings. Grate 1 and 1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Chop 1 and 1/2 cups tomatoes. Thinly slice 8 radishes. Dice half a red onion. Chop 2 avocados (or make a quick guacamole with them by adding a bit of lime and salt). Thaw out 1 cup of frozen corn (I usually stick it in the microwave for 20 seconds and then let it finish thawing on the counter). Slice 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers. Crush some Juanitas or Fritos, but leave some whole for garnishing.

FABULOUS TACO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook turkey and onion in oil until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, salt and pepper; cook for 3-4 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. Remove from the heat; stir in cilantro., Divide romaine among four plates; top each with 3/4 cup turkey mixture, 2 tablespoons cheese and 2 tablespoons salsa.

ALMOST-FAMOUS STEAK TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Make the tortilla bowls: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 450 degrees F. Put 4 empty cans (labels removed) or small ovenproof bowls upside down on a baking sheet. Drape a square of foil over each can and coat with cooking spray.
• Fill a shallow bowl with 1/2 inch warm water; whisk in the olive oil. Soak each tortilla in the water until soft, about 5 seconds, then drape over the prepared cans, pleating as needed. Bake until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and invert the tortilla bowls onto the baking sheet; remove the cans and foil. Spray the inside of the tortilla bowls with cooking spray, season with salt and continue baking until crisp, 4 to 5 more minutes; let cool.
• Meanwhile, make the steak: Whisk the dried garlic, onion and oregano, the cumin, chile powder, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Put the steak in a shallow dish and rub with 2 tablespoons of the spice mixture (reserve the rest for the dressing). Add the bell pepper and sliced onion and toss. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the steak and scatter the bell pepper and onion around it. Sear the steak about 5 minutes per side, then transfer to a cutting board. Continue cooking the pepper and onion until just tender, about 3 more minutes. Thinly slice the steak against the grain, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Assemble the salad: Whisk the mayonnaise, buttermilk and the reserved spice mixture in a large bowl until smooth. Add the cucumber, lettuce, beans and olives and toss. Divide the salad among the tortilla bowls. Top with the steak, bell pepper, onion, cheese and salsa.

CRUNCHY POTLUCK TACO SALAD

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and taco seasoning mix as directed on seasoning mix package.
• In large bowl, gently mix lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onions and cheese. Add beef mixture; stir gently to mix.
• Just before serving, add dressing and chips; toss.

FAMOUS TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Brown and drain the ground beef. Set aside on a paper towel to continue draining and cooling.
• Dressing: Mix the can of undrained chili beans, the thousand island dressing and the taco seasoning in a bowl. Stir well and set it to the side. (Makes a mean dip for that open bag of tortilla chips you have sitting there! You are cooking dinner, you must be slightly hungry!)
• Obtain a LARGE bowl. In that bowl place the following: 1 head of torn lettuce, the shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes and olives.
• Put the hamburger on top of the salad mixings.
• Find a small child, or a small child at heart and place a slit in the chip bag to avoid a disastrous explosion. Have child smush chips to small pieces. I am sure that "smush" is a highly scientific culinary term! DO NOT MAKE CHIP POWDER, just small pieces. Dump the chips on top of the lettuce mixture.
• Pour the DRESSING on top of lettuce mixture.
• Mix well and enjoy. This is where you add the avocado if you are so inclined.
• Leftovers may be stored in airtight container in the fridge in order to create a congealed "taco salad mess" the next day. Not pretty but quite tasty.

SUE'S TACO SALAD

Steps:

• Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring to crumble until well done; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix. Set aside to cool.
• Place chips into a large bowl, and crush into bite-size pieces. Combine with seasoned meat, cheese, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions. Pour dressing over all, and toss to coat.

FABULOUS LOW CAL TACO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large, nonstick skillet over medium high heat, cook the turkey,onion and garlic in oil until meat is no longer pink. Stir in the tomatoes, salt and pepper;cook for 3-4 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. Remove from the heat;stir in cilantro.
• Divide romaine among four plates;top each with 3/4 cup turkey mixture,2 tablespoons cheese and 2 tablespoons salsa.