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Taco Salad with Ground Beef

Taco Salad with Ground Beef

A flavor-packed meal that’s both simple to assemble and incredibly satisfying, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This Taco Salad with Ground Beef recipe simplifies a restaurant favorite, bringing delicious Tex-Mex flavors right to your kitchen.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce shredded
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional toppings
  • crushed tortilla chips
  • sour cream
  • guacamole
  • sliced jalapeños
  • sliced black olives

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large Salad Bowl

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
  2. Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.
    1 pound lean ground beef
  3. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and coats the beef.
    1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning, 1/2 cup water
  4. While the beef is simmering, shred the iceberg lettuce and place it in a large salad bowl.
    1 head iceberg lettuce
  5. To the bowl with the lettuce, add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans. Then, add the halved cherry tomatoes.
    1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  6. Spoon the warm, seasoned ground beef mixture over the lettuce, beans, and tomatoes.
    1 pound lean ground beef
  7. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the salad. Dollop spoonfuls of salsa over the cheese.
    1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup salsa
  8. Finish with a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro. Add any of your favorite optional toppings, such as crushed tortilla chips for crunch, a dollop of sour cream for creaminess, or a side of guacamole for extra richness. Serve immediately.
    1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, guacamole, sliced jalapeños, sliced black olives

Notes

Store leftovers deconstructed: ground beef separately, and lettuce, beans, tomatoes, and cheese in another container. Reheat beef gently. Cooked ground beef can be frozen for 2-3 months.
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