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

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

Scale

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