Healthy Taco Salad with Ground Beef

This Healthy Taco Salad with Ground Beef is a quick and easy dinner recipe! Packed with protein and flavor, this layered taco salad recipe is a favorite on busy weeknights.

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Salads can most definitely be made into a hearty meal. Besides this Taco Salad Bowl, we also love this Easy Chicken Taco Salad and this Chicken and Rice Salad. Check out all of our Healthy Salad Recipes for more inspiration.

Why YOU will love this recipe

• This dinner staple requires very little prep time and can be on the table in under thirty minutes.
• Super easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Bonus!

Ingredients

Find the full ingredient list, with measurements, in the recipe card below.

• Ground beef – We typically choose extra lean ground beef for less saturated fat.
• Olive oil – For sauteeing the garlic.
• Garlic – A little bit of freshly minced garlic adds a lot of pungent flavor.
• Salt and pepper – A pinch of salt and pepper really brings out the flavor of your ingredients.
• Taco seasonings – This consists of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. It is so easy to make your own homemade taco seasoning if you want to have it on hand.
• Water – This mixes with the seasonings to create the sauce.
• Lettuce – We recommend using romaine lettuce but chopped iceberg lettuce or even baby spinach also tastes great.
• Tortilla chips – This adds crunch and texture to the salad. You can also make homemade tortilla strips using corn tortillas.
• Toppings – These can include shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, pico de gallo, black beans, cherry tomatoes, sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, and guacamole.

Equipment

• Large skillet – This is for browning the beef. You could also use a saucepan with a wide bottom.
• Bowls – For serving your delicious salads. Pick a cute and colorful bowl set for a fun presentation.

Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.

Step 1

First, start by cooking the beef. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and stir for one minute.

Step 2

Next, add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon.

Season it with salt and pepper and cook until the beef is browned and cooked through. Then, add in the taco seasonings.

Step 3

Next, add the water and give it all a good stir. Bring the mixture to a quick boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for five minutes for the flavors to develop.

Step 4

Then, assemble the salad.

Start with a bed of lettuce in a bowl.

Step 5

Next, top with the cooked beef.

Step 6

Then crumble on the tortilla chips.

These add crunch and texture to the dish. They are our favorite component of this recipe.

Step 7

Finally, add all of your favorite toppings.

We like salsa, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

Expert tip

Make this recipe dairy-free by using Daiya Cheese and Cashew Sour Cream.

Recipes with ground beef are perfect for weeknight meals. Another delicious option using a pound of ground beef is this Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers recipe. It is a family favorite.

Recipe variations

• If you want a lower-fat recipe you can choose leaner meat for your taco meat like ground turkey or ground chicken.
• Bump up the veggies by incorporating corn kernels, chopped bell pepper, sliced black olives, diced red onion, and shredded red cabbage.
• Consider using black beans, pinto beans, or seasoned tofu as a meatless protein source.

Serving suggestions

• Serve with lime wedges for a zesty squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• Top it off with a drizzle of your favorite dressing, like this homemade spicy ranch dressing or this Avocado Cilantro dressing.
• Top with fresh herbs like chopped cilantro. Check out our guide for how to prep cilantro.

Expand on the taco theme by also serving taco dip alongside the salad! Maybe even pop a cold cerveza.

FAQS

Storage tips

Store any leftover cooked taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge. Be sure to allow it to cool to room temperature before storage. Keep the toppings separate and store them likewise in their own containers. Use everything within 2-3 days.

More easy dinner recipes

**This recipe was originally posted on September 13, 2016, and updated on June 5, 2020, and again on October 23, 2023, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**

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