Description
This Taco Salad Bowl recipe combines crispy homemade tortilla bowls with seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, beans, olives, cheese, and a tangy dressing for a perfect blend of textures and flavors. It’s an easy, delicious meal that serves four and is ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Tortilla Bowls
- 4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 8 ounces tomato sauce (1 small can)
Salad
- 2 large romaine hearts, chopped/shredded (or 1 large head iceberg lettuce)
- 16 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed (1 can)
- 5 ounces sliced black olives, drained (2 small cans)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 red onion, diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 ounces chopped green chiles, drained (1 can)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, chopped
- 5 ounces nacho cheese chips (such as Doritos)
Dressing
- ½ cup salsa
- ¾ cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Prepare Tortilla Bowls: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush or spray both sides of each flour tortilla with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mold the tortillas inside oven-safe bowls to form bowl shapes, then bake for 10-15 minutes until crispy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, then set aside.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and crumble it as it cooks. Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato sauce, cooking down until it reaches your desired consistency. Drain any excess sauce from the beef mixture.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cooked beef, black beans, sliced olives, shredded cheese, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, green chiles, chopped grape tomatoes, and nacho cheese chips. Toss everything together until well mixed.
- Make and Add Dressing: In a small container, stir together the salsa and ranch dressing. Pour this dressing over the salad mixture and toss again to ensure all ingredients are coated evenly.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the prepared salad mixture into the cooled tortilla bowls. Serve immediately for a fresh, crunchy, and flavorful taco salad experience.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free tortillas.
- The ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a different twist.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning and salsa according to your spice preference.
- Vegans may omit cheese and ranch dressing and substitute with vegan alternatives.
- Ensure tortilla bowls are completely cooled before filling to maintain crispiness.
