Taco Salad
Put a twist on the conventional taco salad with this quick and easy recipe for a delicious salad meal
Put a twist on the conventional taco salad with this quick and easy recipe for a delicious salad meal
- Carbohydrate 5.126178125 g
- Cholesterol 73.6067238125 mg
- Fat 17.411479625 g
- Fiber 1.20700002960861 g
- Protein 20.723581125 g
- Saturated Fat 9.686263234325 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (195g)
- Sodium 413.386526775 mg
- Sugar 3.91917809539139 g
- Trans Fat 1.34362843831251 g
- Calories 260 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning, chili beans and French-style dressing. Fill the dressing bottle 2/3 full of water and add to the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Crush the bag of chips, open the bag, and toss the broken chips into a large bowl with the lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. When the meat mixture is done, combine it with the lettuce, tomatoes, chips and mix well. Then, add salsa and sour cream.
Ground beef anchors this dish, requiring a hot skillet and medium-high heat to achieve proper browning without steaming the protein. When browning meat, drain excess fat thoroughly so excess oils do not weigh down the crisp greens later. Simmering the beef mixture with water and dressing for 15 minutes reduces the liquid, concentrating the spices before it meets the cold vegetables.
Adapting Fats and Dressings
French-style dressing brings a specific emulsion of oil, vinegar, and tomato paste that differs entirely from traditional Mexican condiments. Swapping this bottle for a standard vinaigrette or crema alters the cling factor on the iceberg lettuce. Iceberg provides water weight and crunch, whereas romaine introduces sturdier ribs that hold up longer against warm meat.
- Drain beef completely after browning to prevent soggy tortilla chips.
- Simmer the sauce for the full 15 minutes to allow starches from the beans to thicken the mixture.
- Toss the chips into the bowl immediately before serving to preserve their structural integrity.
