Get ready to transport your taste buds back to the glory days of potlucks and family gatherings with a true retro classic: Doritos Taco Salad with Catalina dressing. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a vibrant, satisfying, and incredibly fun dish that combines seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, fresh veggies, cheese, and the irresistible crunch of Nacho Cheese Doritos, all coated in a zesty and sweet Catalina dressing. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that consistently wins over crowds and leaves everyone craving more.

Why I Love This Recipe

What’s not to love about a dish that’s essentially a deconstructed taco in salad form, elevated by the iconic flavor of Doritos? This recipe is a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and tangy, with a delightful crunch in every bite. The seasoned ground beef provides a hearty base, while the cool, crisp lettuce and fresh vegetables add freshness. The Catalina dressing, with its unique sweet and tangy tomato-based profile, ties all the flavors together beautifully. But the real star is the Doritos – they add an unmatched cheesy, savory crunch that makes this salad truly addictive. It’s also incredibly versatile, easy to scale for a crowd, and perfect for using up whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. It’s a nostalgic comfort food that truly stands the test of time.

List of Ingredients

To create this quintessential Doritos Taco Salad, here’s what you’ll need:

For the Seasoned Ground Beef:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken for a lighter option)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning mix (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
• 1/4 cup water

For the Salad Base:

• 1 large head of romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans (or black beans), rinsed and drained
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack or Cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved, or 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup canned corn, drained (or fresh/frozen corn, thawed)
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)

For the Crunch & Dressing:

• 1 (9-12 ounce) bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, lightly crushed (about 4-5 cups)
• 1 cup Catalina salad dressing (bottled or homemade)

Optional Toppings/Garnish:

• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• Sliced green onions
• Diced avocado or a scoop of guacamole
• Salsa
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Swaps and Notes

• Ground Meat: Lean ground beef is traditional, but ground turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter version. Ensure it’s seasoned well.
• Taco Seasoning: A store-bought packet is convenient, but you can easily make your own. A typical homemade blend includes chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and a pinch of cayenne.
• Beans: Kidney beans are classic, but black beans work equally well and add a slightly different flavor profile.
• Lettuce: Romaine or iceberg lettuce provides a good crunch. Feel free to use a mix of both.
• Cheese: Shredded Cheddar or a Mexican blend cheese are great choices. You can shred your own for better flavor.
• Doritos: Nacho Cheese Doritos are the undisputed champion for this salad. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, Cool Ranch Doritos could offer an interesting twist.
• Catalina Dressing: Bottled Catalina dressing is widely available. If you want to make your own, it typically consists of ketchup, sugar, red wine vinegar, oil, and spices like paprika and onion powder. (See tips for a quick homemade version.)
• Vegetables: Feel free to customize with other veggies like diced bell peppers, red onion, or even a handful of spinach.

List of Steps for the Recipe

Making this Doritos Taco Salad is straightforward and comes together quickly, especially if you prep ingredients in advance.

1. Prepare the Seasoned Ground Beef:
   • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and no longer pink, and the onion is tender (about 8-10 minutes).
   • Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
   • Add the taco seasoning mix and 1/4 cup water to the beef. Stir well to coat.
   • Simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the meat is well-seasoned.
   • Remove from heat and let the seasoned beef cool slightly. This helps prevent the lettuce from wilting immediately when combined.
2. Assemble the Salad Base:
   • In a very large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, rinsed and drained kidney beans, shredded cheese, halved grape tomatoes, drained corn, and sliced black olives (if using).
   • You can gently toss these ingredients together now.
3. Combine and Dress:
   • Add the slightly cooled seasoned ground beef mixture to the salad bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
   • Important: Just before serving, add the lightly crushed Doritos and the Catalina dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are coated.
4. Serve Immediately:
   • Serve the Doritos Taco Salad immediately to enjoy the optimal crunch from the Doritos.

Tips for Success

• Cool the Meat: Allowing the seasoned ground beef to cool slightly before adding it to the salad prevents wilting of the lettuce and other fresh ingredients, maintaining a crisp texture.
• Add Doritos and Dressing Just Before Serving: This is the most crucial tip! Adding the Doritos and dressing too early will make the chips soggy and the salad watery. Wait until right before you’re ready to serve. If making for a potluck, bring these components separately and mix just before presentation.
• Don’t Over-Crush Doritos: Aim for bite-sized pieces, not crumbs. This maintains that satisfying crunch.
• Layering for Potlucks: If you need to transport the salad or prepare it in advance, layer the ingredients in a large bowl: ground beef on the bottom, then beans/corn/olives, then cheese, then lettuce on top. Keep the Doritos and dressing separate and add them right before serving.
• Adjust Dressing: You can start with slightly less than 1 cup of Catalina dressing and add more to your preference. Some prefer a lighter coating, others like it well-dressed.
• Homemade Taco Seasoning (Quick Version): If you don’t have a packet, for 1 lb of beef, use 1 tbsp chili powder, 1.5 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 0.5 tsp paprika, 0.25 tsp garlic powder, 0.25 tsp onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
• Homemade Catalina (Quick Version): Blend 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, and a pinch of onion powder/garlic powder.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Doritos Taco Salad is often a meal in itself, but here are some ideas for serving:

• Extra Toppings Bar: Set out bowls of optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, guacamole, sliced green onions, or jalapeños, allowing everyone to customize their bowl.
• Alongside Tex-Mex Favorites: While it’s hearty enough as a main, it can complement other Tex-Mex dishes like quesadillas or enchiladas.
• Individual Portions: For parties, consider serving it in individual clear cups for easy grab-and-go portions, adding the Doritos and dressing to each cup just before serving.
• Beverage Pairings: A refreshing iced tea, lemonade, or a cold beer would complement the flavors nicely.

Nutritional Information

A serving of Doritos Taco Salad (approximately 1/8th of the recipe) contains:

• Calories: Approximately 450−550 calories
• Fat: Approximately 25−35g
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 35−45g
• Protein: Approximately 20−25g
• Fiber: Approximately 5−8g
• Sodium: Approximately 800−1200mg (varies significantly based on Doritos, dressing, and taco seasoning sodium content)

Please note that these are approximate values and can vary based on specific brands of ingredients (especially Doritos and Catalina dressing), the leanness of the ground beef, and precise measurements.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This salad is best enjoyed immediately due to the nature of the Doritos and dressing.

• Unmixed Storage: If you anticipate leftovers or are making it ahead, store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator:
  • Seasoned ground beef: Up to 3-4 days.
  • Washed and chopped lettuce: Up to 3-4 days.
  • Chopped vegetables and beans: Up to 3-4 days.
  • Catalina dressing: As per bottle instructions, or homemade for up to 1 week.
  • Doritos: Keep sealed at room temperature.
• Reheating Meat: If desired, the seasoned ground beef can be gently reheated before adding to a fresh batch of salad ingredients.
• Avoid Storing Mixed Salad: Once the Doritos and dressing are added, the salad will become soggy relatively quickly. It’s truly a “serve immediately” dish.

Final Thoughts

The Doritos Taco Salad with Catalina dressing is a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly magical and memorable. It’s a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will satisfy your cravings for something hearty, fresh, and irresistibly crunchy. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.

We’d love to hear how this classic recipe works for you! Share your thoughts, variations, and any nostalgic memories this salad brings back in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow Chefmaniac.com for more crowd-pleasing recipes and culinary inspiration!