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Dorito Taco Salad Recipe – the ultimate layers of seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, your favorite taco toppings and crunchy Dorito chips. All tossed together in a delicious tangy dressing.
Deliciously Nostalgic Dorito Salad
I think I could eat a taco salad every day of the week. Does everyone else out there love a taco salad as much as I do? With this salad, you will never get bored! I can think of about 100 ways to change it up.
This classic salad was popular for many of us growing up. Can we call it a retro salad? I think so, but my heart keeps telling me I am not nearly old enough!?
It was often found it at church potlucks, large family gatherings, or at a many picnics I attending. We also ate it on regular ole day for lunch and sometimes dinner. It really is one that never goes out of style (in my humble opinion).
The thing I love about it is you can build layers with the basics and change out flavors and toppings or even the dressing. If you don’t like something, leave it out altogether (my son votes no beans ever), or replace it with something else you love.
I think momma always made it with Catalina, but I’ll give you some suggestions for changing that out that we like we do at our house.
For The Dorito Taco Salad Dressing
I like to make a Homemade Catalina Dressing. It comes together so easily and quickly. It’s really fresh and a little less sweet. However, you cannot go wrong with store-bought if you have it in the pantry and want to use it.
Here is what you need for homemade dressing:
- red wine vinegar
- ketchup
- honey
- Worcestershire sauce
- paprika
- onion powder
- olive or canola oil
This dressing is simply made. Grab your blender and throw in all the ingredients except the oil. Give it a blend, and then slowly add in oil until emulsified. If you do not have a blender, you can also pour all the ingredients into a mason jar, secure on the lid, and give a vigorous shake.
How to Make This Taco Salad Recipe With Doritos
- Start by cooking your ground beef in a skillet. I like to use a nice lean ground beef. Crumble and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat on paper towels. Then return the ground beef back into the skillet and add the taco seasoning and water. Let it cook until thickened.
- Create your layers. I add in the lettuce and then create sections on the top to set out on the table.
- Next, to add a zesty, creamy component, I like to add a tablespoon or so of ranch dressing mix to the sour cream. It gives the salad an extra bite. Totally optional but highly recommended.
- Crunch up the Doritos to toss in.
- Then, there is the dressing to finish off the salad. Catalina Dressing is a traditional find on this salad. It has some tang and loads of flavor! But don’t forget you can use whichever dressing you like.
Can I make Dorito Taco Salad Recipe Ahead?
If you are making ahead, I recommend layering the taco meat at the bottom. Then, add your lettuce and veggies as desired.
- After you wash your ingredients, make sure that you dry them well. A handy salad spinner works wonders to get the lettuce dry.
- Hold the wet ingredients like sour cream and dressing, and add the Doritos just before serving.
- You can always prep your ingredients ahead and store them separately to save time when assembling the salad.
- For a shortcut, buy some of the ingredients prepped at the grocery store. If you want the olives sliced buy them already sliced in the can.
Dorito Taco Salad Dressing Variations
Change the taste by changing the dressing!
- You can mix sour cream with an easy blender salsa or salsa verde to dress the salad.
- French dressing still has a tang but a little more creamy.
- Thousand Island is oh-so-tasty on this, too.
- You can also go for a creamy ranch. I love it with a heavy dose of salsa on it, too!
- Try a Chipotle ranch, Lime vinaigrette, and Cilantro-lime dressing to change it up!
There really is no hard or fast rule on this salad. You have your basic components, but you can always add or take away so all your favorites are included.
Serving Taco Salad With Doritos
Here’s a great list of toppings idea you can serve in or with your Dorito Taco Salad. Use the ones your family love or build the base and let everyone customize their plate just the way they like it:
Crunchy & Fresh Toppings:
- Diced cucumbers
- Shredded carrots
- Sliced radishes
- Diced bell peppers
- Black olives
- Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- Chopped green onions
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Cheese Options:
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Pepper jack cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Cotija cheese
Creamy & Savory Additions:
- Guacamole
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt (as a lighter alternative)
- Refried pinto beans or refried black beans
Zesty & Flavorful Toppings:
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa (red, verde, or mango salsa)
- Diced red onions
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges for squeezing on top
Extra Crunch:
- Crushed tortilla chips (in addition to Doritos)
- Fritos or corn chips
- Toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Does Dorito Salad Store Well?
Unfortunately, no, if it is all tossed together. If you know you will have leftovers and want to store them, I recommend serving without throwing in the wet ingredients and Doritos. Put them on the side in pretty bowls for people to top themselves.
You can also create a buffet of all the ingredients and let people make their own. That is always fun, too! This way, you can also serve a variety of toppings and dressing options if desired.
Delicious Taco Inspired Dishes
- Taco Spaghetti Bake
- Ground Beef Doritos Casserole
- Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Jalapeno Cornbread Taco Pie
- Walking Tacos
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Dorito Taco Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ranch mix
- 5 to 6 cups lettuce, torn
- 15 ounces kidney or black beans
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 3.8 ounces sliced black olives, drained
- 1 avocado, diced or sliced
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 10 ounces nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
- ½ cup Catalina dressing
Instructions
- Cook ground beef over medium high heat in a large skillet. Crumble meat with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook until meat is browned. Then stir in taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Simmer until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat.
- Mix sour cream with ranch mix. Chill until ready to serve.
- Chop lettuce and place in a large serving bowl.
- Top with meat, beans, tomatoes, olives, avocado, and cheese.
- Next sprinkle with crushed Doritos and then dollop on ranch sour cream.
- Toss together with Homemade Catalina Dressing to serve.
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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We make a similar salad with Fritos ans it’s so good. I can’t wait to try this version!
Fritos, Doritos – you cannot go wrong with either. I love a little crunch in a salad. I hope you enjoy the Doritos version!