Dorito Taco Salad

Dorito Taco Salad is crunchy, cheesy, and packed with all the taco flavors the whole family loves. Seasoned ground beef is tossed with crisp iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion, French dressing, and crushed nacho-cheese Doritos for a fun salad that works as an easy meal, potluck dish, or BBQ side.

Retro salads have a way of stealing the show, and this Dorito Taco Salad is a perfect example. It reminds me of the kind of recipe you would spot at a potluck or family BBQ and immediately know would be good.

The Doritos are what make it extra fun. They add that salty crunch you do not get from a regular taco salad, and they soak up just enough of the dressing without losing all their texture. It is one of those little throwback touches that makes the whole salad taste even better.

Love Doritos? Try this Dorito Casserole.

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Lean ground beef: Adds plenty of flavor without making the salad greasy. Be sure to drain any excess fat after browning.
• Taco seasoning: A packet keeps this recipe quick and easy, but you can use homemade taco seasoning if you have it on hand. Let it simmer with the beef so the flavor has time to soak in.
• Water: This helps the taco seasoning coat the beef evenly. Let most of the liquid cook off so the meat does not make the salad watery.
• Iceberg lettuce: Iceberg is the best choice here because it stays crisp and adds that classic crunch to the salad. Chop it into bite-sized pieces so it is easy to scoop.
• Cheddar cheese: For the best texture, shred it yourself if you have time.
• Cherry tomatoes: Pat them dry if they are extra juicy so the salad does not get soggy.
• Red onion: If you want a milder flavor, rinse the diced onion under cold water and pat it dry before adding it to the bowl.
• French dressing: Toss it in right before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
• Nacho cheese Doritos: Add these at the very end so they stay crunchy. Break them into pieces instead of crushing them too finely so you still get big crunchy bites.
• Green onions: Slice them thinly and sprinkle them on just before serving.

How to Make Dorito Taco Salad

• Step One: Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain fat.
• Step Two: Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer over medium-low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Step Three: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and red onion.

• Step Four: Add the taco meat and dressing. Toss to coat.
• Step Five: Fold in crushed Doritos just before serving. Garnish with green onions.

Variations and Substitutions

• Use a different meat: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork.
• Make it meatless: Use black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based ground beef substitute instead of the beef. If using beans, warm them with the taco seasoning and a splash of water before adding them to the salad.
• Try a different dressing: French dressing gives this salad its classic flavor, but Catalina dressing works well too. You can also use ranch for a creamier version.
• Change up the cheese: Cheddar is always good, but Tex-Mex, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a taco cheese blend would all work here.
• Add more toppings: Black olives, salsa, sour cream, corn, avocado, jalapeños, bell peppers, or crushed tortilla chips are a crowd favorite. This is an easy salad to customize with what you have in the fridge.
• Use another kind of Doritos chips: Nacho cheese is the classic choice, but Cool Ranch Doritos or Spicy Nacho Doritos would give the salad a different flavor.
• Make it a little lighter: Use lean ground turkey, reduced-fat cheese, and a lighter dressing. You will still get the crunch and taco flavor, but with a slightly lighter feel.
• Turn it into a taco salad bar: Keep the lettuce, meat, dressing, Doritos, and toppings in separate bowls and let everyone build their own. This is a great option for parties because the Doritos stay crunchy longer.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad is best the day it is made because the lettuce and Doritos will soften once they sit with the dressing.
• Make ahead: You can cook the taco meat up to 2 days in advance. Let it cool, then refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the salad.
• Do not freeze: Freezing is not recommended. The lettuce, tomatoes, dressing, and chips will not hold their texture once thawed.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use a really big bowl: This salad needs more room than you think. A large mixing bowl makes it much easier to toss everything without lettuce and toppings spilling over the sides.
• Keep ingredients separate: If you are making this ahead, store the taco meat, lettuce mixture, dressing, and Doritos separately. Toss everything together right before serving for the best crunch.
• Let the beef cool a bit: The taco meat can still be slightly warm, but you do not want it piping hot when it hits the lettuce. A few minutes of cooling helps keep the salad from wilting.
• Add the dressing gradually: Start with part of the dressing, toss, then add more if needed. Some heads of lettuce are larger than others, so you may not need the full amount every time.
• Toss gently: Use a light hand when mixing so the lettuce does not get bruised, and the salad does not become heavy.
• Save a little for the top: Set aside a small handful of cheese, tomatoes, green onions, or Doritos to sprinkle over the finished salad. It makes the bowl look fresh and full when you bring it to the table.
• Before serving leftovers: Give the salad a gentle toss before serving. If the Doritos have softened, add a fresh handful on top to bring back some crunch.

Taco-Inspired Recipes

• Taco Dip
• Walking Tacos
• Impossible Taco Pie

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