COLORFUL
I’m thrilled to share with you a recipe that’s not only a crowd-pleaser but also incredibly easy to whip up – the Dorito Taco Salad. Imagine the vibrant mix of crunchy Doritos, savory ground beef, and fresh veggies, all tied together with a creamy dressing. This dish is perfect for those busy weeknights or when you need a fun and delicious meal to impress at a gathering. Ready to add a little crunch to our culinary adventures?
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- It’s the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Whether you’re a die-hard Dorito fan or just looking for a new twist on taco night, this recipe is sure to delight.
- The crunch of the chips, the savory flavor of seasoned beef, and the freshness of lettuce and tomatoes create a symphony of textures and tastes.
- It’s incredibly versatile – dress it up for a party or keep it casual for a family dinner. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty, this salad is a surefire hit!
Doritos Taco Salad Ingredients
- Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning
- Romaine lettuce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Fiesta Cheese
- Corn
- Creamy French Dressing
- Doritos Chips
- Green Onions
*Scroll to Printable Recipe Card below for detailed amounts!
How to Make Doritos Taco Salad Ingredients
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s fully browned. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Taco Seasoning:
- Add the taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef. Follow the packet instructions for adding water and simmer the mixture until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base:
- Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a large salad bowl.
- Add the finely diced tomatoes to the lettuce.
- Add Cheese and Dressing:
- Sprinkle the shredded fiesta cheese over the lettuce and tomatoes.
- Drizzle the creamy French dressing over the salad, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Incorporate Doritos:
- Just before serving, crush the Doritos chips into bite-sized pieces (not too small) and add them to the salad. The idea is to maintain some crunch, so avoid crushing them into very small pieces.
- Mix in the Beef:
- Add the seasoned ground beef to the salad. Toss everything gently to combine the ingredients without breaking the chips too much.
- Garnish:
- Sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Serve:
- Serve the salad immediately after adding the Doritos to ensure they retain their crunch.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
How to Store Doritos Taco Salad:
Storing this salad is a breeze, but there’s a trick to keeping it fresh. Refrigerate the beef, lettuce, cheese, and dressing separately. This way, you can enjoy the salad’s crunch for 2-3 days.
How to Reheat Doritos Taco Salad:
For reheating, just warm the beef gently in a microwave or on the stovetop. Remember, Doritos and lettuce are best added fresh just before serving to maintain their crispness and avoid sogginess.
Helpful Tips & Substitutions
Can This Be Frozen?
Freezing this Dorito Taco Salad isn’t recommended. The lettuce and Doritos would lose their texture, and the dressing may separate. For the best experience, enjoy this salad fresh. If you need to store it, use the fridge and keep ingredients separate as suggested.
Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Prep the beef, chop the veggies, and have your cheese and dressing ready in advance. Store these components separately in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, just assemble the salad. This make-ahead approach is perfect for busy schedules and ensures every bite is as fresh and crunchy as possible.

Substitutions & Variations
- Vegetarian? Swap the ground beef for black beans or a meat substitute.
- Love a bit more kick? Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Extra Flavor? Feel free to add other ingredients like, corn, or olives for extra flavor and texture.
Helpful Cooking Notes
- For extra flavor, consider browning the beef with onions or garlic.
- If you find the salad too dry, add more dressing gradually to suit your taste.
- Crushing Doritos too much can make them soggy quickly. Leave some larger pieces for that satisfying crunch.
- This salad is a great canvas for experimenting with different types of cheese and dressings – don’t hesitate to mix and match!
Try Some of our Other Favorite Salad Recipes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb of Ground Beef
- 1 oz of Taco Seasoning, 1 packet
- 1 head of Romaine lettuce
- 1.5 cups of finely diced tomatoes
- 8 oz of Fiesta Cheese, shredded
- 10.5 Can of Corn, drained
- 2 cups of Creamy French Dressing
- 9.5 ounce Doritos Chips, 1 bag
- ¼ cup Green Onions, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it's fully browned. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Add the taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef. Follow the packet instructions for adding water and simmer the mixture until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a large salad bowl.
- Add the finely diced tomatoes to the lettuce.
- Add Cheese and Dressing: Sprinkle the shredded fiesta cheese over the lettuce and tomatoes.
- Drizzle the creamy French dressing over the salad, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Incorporate Doritos: Just before serving, crush the Doritos chips into bite-sized pieces (not too small) and add them to the salad. The idea is to maintain some crunch, so avoid crushing them into very small pieces.
- Mix in the Beef: Add the seasoned ground beef to the salad. Toss everything gently to combine the ingredients without breaking the chips too much.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately after adding the Doritos to ensure they retain their crunch.
NOTES
Storage and Reheating Instructions
How to Store Doritos Taco Salad:
Storing this salad is a breeze, but there’s a trick to keeping it fresh. Refrigerate the beef, lettuce, cheese, and dressing separately. This way, you can enjoy the salad’s crunch for 2-3 days.How to Reheat Doritos Taco Salad:
For reheating, just warm the beef gently in a microwave or on the stovetop. Remember, Doritos and lettuce are best added fresh just before serving to maintain their crispness and avoid sogginess.Helpful Tips & Substitutions
Can This Be Frozen?
Freezing this Dorito Taco Salad isn’t recommended. The lettuce and Doritos would lose their texture, and the dressing may separate. For the best experience, enjoy this salad fresh. If you need to store it, use the fridge and keep ingredients separate as suggested.Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Prep the beef, chop the veggies, and have your cheese and dressing ready in advance. Store these components separately in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, just assemble the salad. This make-ahead approach is perfect for busy schedules and ensures every bite is as fresh and crunchy as possible.Substitutions & Variations
- Vegetarian? Swap the ground beef for black beans or a meat substitute.
- Love a bit more kick? Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Extra Flavor? Feel free to add other ingredients like, corn, or olives for extra flavor and texture.
Helpful Cooking Notes
- For extra flavor, consider browning the beef with onions or garlic.
- If you find the salad too dry, add more dressing gradually to suit your taste.
- Crushing Doritos too much can make them soggy quickly. Leave some larger pieces for that satisfying crunch.
- This salad is a great canvas for experimenting with different types of cheese and dressings – don’t hesitate to mix and match!