How to Make a Tortilla Chip Salad (Taco Salad) | The Frugal Chef

tortilla chips

🥗Healthier: baked tortilla chips

💰Cheaper: pita chips

Baked chips reduce calories, while pita chips are often less expensive.

black beans

🥗Healthier: kidney beans

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Kidney beans offer similar nutrition, while canned beans can be more affordable.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt lowers calories and adds protein, while cream cheese can be a budget-friendly substitute.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese cuts calories, while processed cheese can be less expensive.

Brown 2 pounds of ground beef in a hot skillet with some oil, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Drain the meat and clean out the pan, adding more oil.

Add 2 chopped white onions to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Add 4 minced garlic cloves and mix with the onions.

Return the drained beef to the pan, adding 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne, mixing well.

Add 3 peeled and finely chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro to the beef mixture.

Pour in 1/2 cup of water, season with salt and pepper, and let cook for 15-20 minutes.

In a bowl, combine 1 chopped medium white onion, a 15-ounce can of corn, 2 peeled and finely chopped tomatoes, 4 thinly sliced radishes, and 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro.

Add 1 minced chili pepper and a chopped seeded cucumber to the bowl.

Juice 1/2 lime into the mixture and season with salt, then mix to create a corn salsa.

Assemble the salad on a plate with about 1/2 cup of chopped iceberg lettuce.

Top the lettuce with some of the lukewarm beef mixture and some corn salsa.

Drizzle with creamy cilantro dressing (or dressing of choice).

Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese and sliced black olives on top.

Arrange tortilla chips on the side, using purple and yellow chips, and garnish with a tiny bit of chopped cilantro.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens