Everyone needs a Classic Taco Salad Recipe in their menu arsenal. It’s packed with all your favorite taco flavors and easy enough for a weeknight dinner. And families with picky eaters will love it because everyone can customize their salads with their favorite toppings.

Tacos are always a hit in my house. In fact, we’ve been known to go rogue and eat them any day of the week. I mean, why limit yourself to Taco Tuesday, right?!

But sometimes I get bored with the same old dinners and want a dish that is a little easier to assemble and a bit healthier. Enter tasty ground beef taco salads!

Classic taco salad ingredients on a white platter with chips and bowls of sauces in the background.

This easy meal is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. And these main dish salads are satisfying for bigger appetites, which is great if you’re feeding teens and tweens.

Packed with colorful veggies and bold flavors, this simple recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. For more easy salad ideas, try some of the best chopped salad recipes – you’re sure to find something the whole family will love.

We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.

Homemade Taco Salad Recipe

This is one of those dinners every Mom can get behind. Not only is it delicious, it’s a quick meal that offers a range of serving options.

Set it up buffet style so each family member can assemble his or her own perfect salad. Having each person make their own salad means you are less likely to have a family member complain about what you’re serving.

And there are so many options to create this recipe to suit your family and their preferences for flavor, which means it’s easy to keep everyone happy with this dinner. That’s just one of the reasons this recipe has a permanent spot on my meal plan rotation.

Taco salads can be a fun addition to a taco bar party, too. With similar ingredients, it’s a no fuss way to amp up the offerings. And your low carb friends will thank you for giving them a delicious option.

If you’re looking for more taco-flavored recipes be sure to try our easy taco soup and walking talking casserole recipes.

Ingredients to make classic taco salad recipe with text labels.

Ingredients for Classic Taco Salad

Base Salad Ingredients

Lean ground beef – I used a 93/7 blend but see below for more protein options.
Homemade taco seasoning – or use a packet from the grocery store.
Romaine or iceberg lettuce – for maximum crunch.

Chopped tomato, lettuce, onion & green pepper with a knife on a cutting board.

Optional Taco Salad Toppings:

Chopped tomatoes
Fiesta corn – adds sweetness and crunch. Use fresh corn if it’s in season.
Black beans – to bump up the protein or for a vegetarian version
Green bell peppers
Avocado – cut into slices or chunks
Black olives
Jalapeno slices – for a spicy kick
Diced onions – use red or green onions for extra flavor and color
Shredded cheddar cheese or use Pepper Jack for a little kick
Salsa
Pico de Gallo
Sour cream – adds a cool richness and helps to temper the spicy heat
Cilantro
Lime wedges – brightens all the flavors
Tortilla chips – to avoid sogginess keep to the side until ready to serve

Salad Dressing Ingredients

Prepared Ranch dressing – use your favorite brand
Taco sauce – adds a kick to the dressing. Go with mild, medium or hot sauce based on your heat preference

Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.

How to Make Taco Salad with Ground Beef

The best part of this recipe is just how easy it is to prepare. The only cooking you’ll need to do is for the meat and then chop whatever toppings you decide to use.

Two photo collage of cooking the ground beef and adding the seasonings to the cooked meat with text overlay.

Make the dressing: prepare the salad dressing by combining the Ranch dressing with taco sauce and stir to combine. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Brown the beef: place the ground beef in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. I use a ChopStir when cooking ground meats because it breaks up the meat into small, uniform pieces.

Season the beef: mix in the taco seasoning and water and stir to combine. Simmer for a few minutes until the mixture thickens.

Two photo collage of the cooked ground beef taco meat and a variety of toppings for a taco salad bar with text overlay.

Prep the veggies: while the meat is cooking, you can prepare the vegetables and toppings you’ll be serving. Set aside until you’re ready to make your salads.

Assemble the salad: layer the lettuce, cooked taco meat and your favorite toppings in a large serving bowl then drizzle with dressing and toss just before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Taco Salad Recipe

Prep the toppings ahead of time and store in separate containers in the refrigerator. I use a vegetable chopper to speed up prep time.
For a heartier main dish salad double the quantity of meat.
If you’re into meal prepping, cook your taco meat in advance to make this an even quicker weeknight meal.
Purchase convenience items like bagged shredded lettuce, pre-cut veggies, pico de gallo and pre-made guacamole if you’re short on time. Most of these items can be found in the produce department.
If you don’t need large quantities of toppings, hit the grocery store salad bar and purchase only what you need.

Best Meat to Use for Taco Salad

Ground beef is the most popular option for this homemade taco salad recipe. And it’s one of the most affordable meats making it a budget friendly choice. That said, there are many other protein options for a taco salad.

Substitute with a different ground meat like turkey, pork or ground chicken.
Switch things up by cooking a beef roast and use the shredded meat. Or use a shredded pork roast for a carnitas style taco salad.
Cooked, shredded chicken breast is another tasty option, like this easy salsa chicken recipe. Use this handy tip for how to shred chicken easily.
Seafood lovers can use shrimp or white fish.
Make this a vegetarian or Meatless Monday dinner by substituting with black beans, pinto beans or even tofu.

Once you’ve selected and cooked your protein, all you have to do is liberally sprinkle the seasoning onto the meat for that awesome taco flavoring.

Homemade taco salad garnished with avocado slices on a white plate.

Can I add a dressing to this salad?

Yes! While you can skip the dressing, it’s one of the most appealing parts of this classic taco salad recipe (or any salad, right?!) is the salad dressing. You can use something as basic as ranch or even a zesty Catalina or French dressing.

I’ve included a super simple homemade taco salad dressing recipe you can try. Just mix ranch dressing with a little taco sauce for a kicked up version of the popular salad topping. Or use our homemade Taco Bell Baja sauce as a dressing – it’s so good!

Whatever dressing you choose, serve it on the side for make your own individual salads. Or if you’re serving the salad family style, add the dressing to the salad right before serving, give it a good toss and you’re all set.

Yellow corn, green peppers, black olives, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce & ground beef with Better Thank Takeout Taco Salad Recipe graphic.

Can I make ground beef taco salad ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the ground beef mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. The veggie toppings can be prepped earlier in the day and stashed in separate bags in the frig for freshness.

Taco Salad Serving Suggestions

If you are serving buffet style or for a crowd, set out the meat, toppings and dressing in individual containers in an assembly line fashion. Then let everyone create their own bowl of delicious taco salad! I like using a divided storage tray with a lid for prepping and serving salad bar-style.

For family style service, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, top with salad dressing and toss right before serving.

If you’re attending a potluck or weekend party, this easy taco salad recipe is always a crowd favorite – I always bring back an empty bowl.

With endless ways to customize, this easy classic taco salad recipe keeps dinner fresh and family-approved. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s sure to become a go-to for busy nights.

More Main Dish Salad recipes…

Chicken Cobb salad in a wooden bowl with text overlay.

Save the Easy Taco Salad recipe for later!

Three photo collage of homemade taco salad and ingredients with text overlay.

Originally published 4/16/20.

If you make one of our recipes, please leave a star rating or comment below. And don’t forget to tag us with #areinventedmom – we love to see your creations! For more great content follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Flipboard.

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Reinvented Mom

Yellow corn, green peppers, black olives, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce & ground beef with Better Thank Takeout Taco Salad Recipe graphic | A Reinvented Mom

Classic Taco Salad

Switch up taco night with this homemade taco salad recipe -it's loaded with seasoned ground beef and all your favorite taco toppings. Perfect for quick dinners and potluck parties.

4.75 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Dish, Salad, Weeknight Meal

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Calories: 306kcal

Author: Lori

Equipment