Crunchy Taco Salad

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: monterey jack cheese

Monterey jack is often cheaper and melts well.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground chicken is usually less expensive.

black olives

🥗Healthier: green olives

💰Cheaper: canned mushrooms

Canned mushrooms are a budget-friendly swap.

Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and browned.

Drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef using a strainer placed over aluminum foil in the sink.

Stir in 1 packet of taco seasoning into the drained beef until well combined.

Let the seasoned beef cool slightly to avoid wilting the vegetables when mixed.

Chop 1 small head of lettuce and place it in a large bowl.

Dice 1 large tomato (removing seeds and juice to prevent a watery salad) and add to the bowl with the lettuce.

Dice 1 large Vidalia onion and add it to the bowl.

Drain and rinse 15 ounces of light red kidney beans, then add them to the salad mixture.

Once the beef has cooled, add it to the salad mixture.

Add 2 cups (8 ounces) of shredded cheddar cheese to the salad just before serving.

Crunch up a 14 ounce bag of Doritos and add them to the salad just before serving.

Pour in a 16 ounce bottle of classic Catalina dressing and mix everything together just before serving.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens