Are you ever stuck in a dinner rut, staring at a package of ground beef and thinking, what now? I know the feeling. It is so easy to fall back on the same old spaghetti or burgers. But ground beef is such a versatile ingredient, and there are so many amazing Ground Beef Recipes just waiting to be made.
This taco salad is one of my favorite ways to break out of that routine. It is bright, flavorful, and full of wonderful textures. It is one of those Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef that feels both comforting and fresh at the same time. Let’s make something delicious together!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is incredibly fast. You can have a complete, satisfying meal on the table in about 30 minutes. It is a lifesaver on busy weeknights when you want something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen.
It is also totally customizable. Think of this recipe as a starting point. You can swap out the veggies, use a different kind of cheese, or add your favorite toppings. It is a great way to use up whatever you have in the fridge.
The mix of temperatures and textures is just so good. You get the warm, savory seasoned beef paired with cool, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado. Then you add the crunch from the tortilla chips. Every bite is a little different.
Plus, this is one of those Healthy Dinner Recipes that does not feel like you are sacrificing flavor. With lean ground beef, tons of fresh vegetables, and a Greek yogurt based dressing, it is a meal you can feel good about serving your family.
Ingredients
For The Taco Salad
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean works well)
- 2 tablespoons low sodium taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup bone broth or water
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and diced
- 1 cup low fat Mexican shredded cheese blend
- 3/4 cup corn (frozen or fresh)
- 3/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn tortilla chips, crushed
For The Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- juice & zest of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely minced
- 2/3 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/3 teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook The Ground Beef
Start by heating two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks. You want to get nice, small crumbles.
Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned, which should take about five to seven minutes. There should not be any pink left. Drain off any excess fat if you need to.
Now for the flavor. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef and pour in the bone broth or water. Stir everything together really well to coat all the meat. The liquid helps the seasoning stick and keeps the beef moist. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool down a bit.
Step 2: Prepare The Salad Veggies
While the beef is cooling, you can get all your fresh components ready. This is where the salad really comes to life with color and texture. Tearing the romaine lettuce into bite sized pieces is a great first step.
Next, dice up your cherry tomatoes and the ripe avocado. Try to keep the pieces around one inch so you get a bit of everything in each bite. Thinly slice the red onion for a mild, crisp flavor.
Step 3: Assemble The Salad Base
Find your biggest salad bowl for this part. Combine the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado in the bowl. This creates a beautiful, colorful base for your salad. This is one of my favorite Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef because of how fresh it looks.
Then, sprinkle in the shredded cheese, corn, and black beans. Add the crushed tortilla chips right now if you plan to serve it immediately. The chips add a necessary crunch.
Step 4: Whisk The Dressing
This dressing is so simple and delicious. In a small mixing bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and lime zest. The zest adds an amazing pop of citrus flavor.
Add the finely minced cilantro, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until it is smooth and creamy. Give it a taste and adjust the salt or lime juice if you think it needs it. This is a key part of many Healthy Dinner Recipes.
Step 5: Combine And Serve
By now, your cooked beef should be cool enough to add to the salad without wilting the lettuce. Add the seasoned beef to the large salad bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
Drizzle that wonderful creamy dressing over the top. Just before you are ready to eat, toss everything together gently. You want to coat all the ingredients without crushing them. Serve it right away and enjoy one of the best Ground Beef Recipes you will ever make.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, the key is to store the components separately. A fully dressed salad with warm beef does not keep well. The lettuce will get soggy very quickly.
Keep the cooked ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dressing can also be stored in a separate airtight container in the fridge for about four to five days.
Store the chopped vegetables and other salad toppings in another container. When you are ready for another serving, just assemble a fresh bowl. This method keeps everything crisp and delicious.
Tips
Want to make this ahead of time? You totally can. Cook the beef and make the dressing a day or two in advance. Chop your veggies the day you plan to serve it. This makes assembly super quick for a weeknight meal.
Feel free to get creative with substitutions. You could use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. For a vegetarian option, use a plant based crumble or extra beans. Any leafy green like spinach or mixed greens would also work well.
If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef. You could also add some chopped jalapenos to the salad for an extra kick. Making your own Ground Beef Recipes should be fun.
To avoid a soggy salad, wait to add the dressing and the crushed tortilla chips until right before serving. This keeps the lettuce crisp and the chips crunchy. It makes a huge difference in the final result.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, flavorful, and satisfying taco salad that will surely become a staple in your meal rotation. It proves that Ground Beef Recipes do not have to be boring or complicated. This dish is packed with fresh ingredients and amazing flavor.
It is a perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can create a truly memorable meal. Whether you are looking for new Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef or just want something fresh and easy, I hope you give this recipe a try. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Protein?
Absolutely. This salad is fantastic with ground turkey or ground chicken. Just cook it the same way you would the ground beef. Seasoned shredded chicken would also be a great choice for this recipe.
Is This Recipe Good For Meal Prep?
Yes, it is great for meal prep. The best way to do it is to store all the components separately. Keep the cooked beef, the dressing, and the chopped veggies in different containers. Then you can assemble individual salads throughout the week.
How Can I Make This Salad Low Carb?
To make this a low carb meal, simply omit the corn, black beans, and tortilla chips. The salad will still be incredibly flavorful with the seasoned beef, avocado, cheese, and creamy dressing. It is one of the more flexible Healthy Dinner Recipes.
Can I Use A Store Bought Dressing?
Of course. If you are short on time, a store bought ranch or a creamy cilantro lime vinaigrette would work well. The homemade dressing is very easy, but sometimes convenience is key when looking for Ground Beef Recipes.
Taco Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
This bright, flavorful, and satisfying taco salad is a perfect way to break out of your dinner routine. Packed with wholesome ingredients and amazing textures, it’s a comforting yet fresh meal ready in about 30 minutes.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks. You want to get nice, small crumbles.
- Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned, which should take about five to seven minutes. There should not be any pink left. Drain off any excess fat if you need to.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef and pour in the bone broth or water. Stir everything together really well to coat all the meat. The liquid helps the seasoning stick and keeps the beef moist. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool down a bit.
- While the beef is cooling, you can get all your fresh components ready. This is where the salad really comes to life with color and texture. Tearing the romaine lettuce into bite sized pieces is a great first step. Next, dice up your cherry tomatoes and the ripe avocado. Try to keep the pieces around one inch so you get a bit of everything in each bite. Thinly slice the red onion for a mild, crisp flavor.
- Find your biggest salad bowl for this part. Combine the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado in the bowl. This creates a beautiful, colorful base for your salad. Then, sprinkle in the shredded cheese, corn, and black beans. Add the crushed tortilla chips right now if you plan to serve it immediately. The chips add a necessary crunch.
- This dressing is so simple and delicious. In a small mixing bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and lime zest. The zest adds an amazing pop of citrus flavor.
- Add the finely minced cilantro, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until it is smooth and creamy. Give it a taste and adjust the salt or lime juice if you think it needs it.
- By now, your cooked beef should be cool enough to add to the salad without wilting the lettuce. Add the seasoned beef to the large salad bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Drizzle that wonderful creamy dressing over the top. Just before you are ready to eat, toss everything together gently. You want to coat all the ingredients without crushing them. Serve it right away and enjoy one of the best Ground Beef Recipes you will ever make.
Notes
If you have leftovers, the key is to store the components separately. A fully dressed salad with warm beef does not keep well. The lettuce will get soggy very quickly.
Keep the cooked ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dressing can also be stored in a separate airtight container in the fridge for about four to five days.
Store the chopped vegetables and other salad toppings in another container. When you are ready for another serving, just assemble a fresh bowl. This method keeps everything crisp and delicious.
Want to make this ahead of time? You totally can. Cook the beef and make the dressing a day or two in advance. Chop your veggies the day you plan to serve it. This makes assembly super quick for a weeknight meal.
Feel free to get creative with substitutions. You could use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. For a vegetarian option, use a plant based crumble or extra beans. Any leafy green like spinach or mixed greens would also work well.
If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef. You could also add some chopped jalapenos to the salad for an extra kick. Making your own Ground Beef Recipes should be fun.
To avoid a soggy salad, wait to add the dressing and the crushed tortilla chips until right before serving. This keeps the lettuce crisp and the chips crunchy. It makes a huge difference in the final result.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
