A few summers ago, we were invited to our neighbor’s backyard potluck — one of those gatherings where everyone brings a little something and you leave with a full heart and a full belly. That day, nestled between a sea of casseroles and pasta salads, was a huge bowl of something that disappeared way too quickly: Doritos Taco Salad. I’d never seen a salad disappear that fast (or cause that many recipe requests).
You know me — if it’s delicious, easy, and affordable, I’m recreating it. But we’re making it the Alyssa way: simple ingredients, easy steps, and no-fuss portions. This salad has all the flavor of tacos, the crunch of chips, and the creamy sweetness of Catalina dressing — but with an eye on your budget and time.
Ingredients
Serves 6-8 as a side, 4 as a main
- 1 lb ground beef (I use 85/15 – flavorful and affordable)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or make your own!)
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar (I go for sharp — more flavor, less needed)
- 1 cup crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos (about 4 oz)
- ¾ cup Catalina dressing (or French works great too!)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water; let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. - Assemble the Base
In a large mixing bowl, toss together chopped lettuce, diced tomato, and shredded cheese. - Right Before Serving
Add the taco-seasoned beef, crushed Doritos, and dressing. Toss everything until evenly coated.
Alyssa’s Tip: Keep the chips and dressing on the side if you’re meal prepping — that way, you avoid sogginess and get that fresh crunch every time.
Budget Breakdown (Approx. for 6 servings)
| Ingredient | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $4.00 |
| Taco Seasoning | $0.50 |
| Lettuce | $1.00 |
| Tomato | $0.75 |
| Cheddar Cheese | $1.50 |
| Doritos (4 oz) | $1.25 |
| Catalina Dressing | $1.00 |
| Total: | $10.00 |
| Per Serving: | $1.67 |
Serving Ideas
- Serve with avocado slices for extra creaminess.
- Make it a mason jar lunch (just layer: dressing → meat → tomato → lettuce → cheese → Doritos).
- Great as a side dish or as a meal on its own!
Alyssa’s Final Thoughts
This Doritos Taco Salad is the perfect example of why frugal food doesn’t have to be boring. It’s colorful, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser — whether you’re feeding your family or hosting friends. Bonus: kids love it too. Taco night just got way more exciting (and a whole lot easier!).
Doritos Taco Salad FAQ
What dressing goes in Dorito Taco Salad?
The classic choice is Catalina dressing, which brings that sweet-tangy flavor that balances the savory meat and cheesy crunch. French dressing is a great alternative if that’s what you have on hand — both work beautifully! Want a little kick? Try mixing in a spoonful of salsa or hot sauce.
What are the ingredients of a taco salad?
At its heart, taco salad is all about layering flavor and crunch. The basics usually include:
Taco-seasoned ground beef
Chopped lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
Fresh tomato
Shredded cheese
Crunchy elements like tortilla chips (or Doritos!)
And a zesty dressing like Catalina or salsa-ranch.
From there, you can customize it with beans, avocado, corn, onions, or jalapeños — whatever you have in your fridge!
What does Taco John’s put on their taco salad?
While Taco John’s recipe isn’t public, their taco salad usually includes seasoned beef or chicken, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, diced tomato, sour cream, and a crispy tortilla shell. Some versions even come with refried beans and salsa on the side. It’s a more fast-food take, but you can totally recreate that vibe at home (without the drive-thru cost).
Why is my taco salad soggy?
Ah, the soggy salad struggle — we’ve all been there. The main culprits are:
Adding chips and dressing too early
Warm meat or protein wilting the lettuce
Fix it by keeping your protein (like ground beef or beans) cooled, and adding chips and dressing just before serving. Store leftovers with toppings separate. Bonus: portion it out in containers for super easy lunches that stay fresh and crunchy!
Doritos Taco Salad with a Frugal Twist
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This easy Doritos Taco Salad is a crowd-pleasing potluck favorite made with seasoned ground beef, crunchy Nacho Cheese Doritos, crisp lettuce, and sweet Catalina dressing. It’s flavorful, budget-friendly, and comes together in minutes — perfect for parties, meal prep, or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (85/15 recommended)
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos (about 4 oz)
¾ cup Catalina dressing (or French dressing)
Instructions
-
Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
-
Assemble the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped lettuce, diced tomato, and shredded cheese.
-
Right Before Serving: Add the seasoned beef, crushed Doritos, and Catalina dressing. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Notes
For meal prep, store the beef, chips, and dressing separately and mix just before serving to maintain crunch.
Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess.
Make it portable by layering in mason jars: dressing → meat → tomato → lettuce → cheese → Doritos.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Serving
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: easy taco salad with Doritos, potluck taco salad, ground beef Doritos salad, Catalina taco salad recipe