Doritos Taco Salad Recipe – The Best Potluck Side Dish Recipe

Doritos taco salad is one of my favorite dishes to take to parties, potlucks and summer holiday picnics. It is a crowd favorite because it combines ingredients typically found in a taco salad but instead of being served in a large, fried tortilla bowl it is served with crushed nacho chips.

The salad typically includes lettuce, tomatoes, onions, chili beans, cheese, and ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning. The crushed Doritos are then added on top of the salad and mixed in, providing a crunchy and flavorful addition.

Then right before serving Catalina dressing gets tossed with the salad which adds a slightly sweet and tangy flavor profile. The combination of the salad ingredients mixed with the crunchy Doritos and Catalina dressing pair perfectly with each other making it a side dish that everyone loves.

However, it can also be served as a main dish. It is very similar to a Taco In A Bag (Walking Taco), but instead of being made in individual servings, it is made in a large serving bowl.

Then you can serve it as the main dish that is actually a complete meal because it includes meat, vegetables and a starch. Now I am not saying that it is the healthiest meal that you can make.

However it is definitely one that will keep you feeling full and satisfied. Not to mention that your friends and family will love it!

When To Serve Doritos Taco Salad

As mentioned above, Doritos taco salad can be served as a main dish. However, it is most often served as a side dish for a variety of occasions and is especially popular for casual gatherings and potluck meals.

Below I have listed some of the most common occasions where you will want to share this crowd pleasing side dish recipe.

Summer Cookouts or Barbecues:

This recipe is a great addition to any summer cookout or barbecue. The majority of the salad can be prepared ahead of time and all that is left to do to serve it at your next cookout is to add the nacho chips and dressing.

Picnics:

Pack up a batch of Doritos taco salad for a picnic in the park or a day at the beach. The salad travels well and can be served cold, making it a perfect dish for outdoor dining.

Game day parties:

Whether you are watching your favorite sports team in the Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall, this salad is a crowd-pleaser and is sure to be a hit at any game day party. It’s easy to prepare in large quantities and it makes a great addition to any game day buffet.

Potlucks:

Once you take this dish to your workplace potluck or to a family gathering, your friends and family will beg you to make it over and over again. Best of all it is easy to customize to fit different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Holiday Meals:

You may not think of making this as a side dish to bring to Thanksgiving dinner, but it has been part of our family tradition for years. When you have a large family you must get creative on what to bring and ever since making this recipe, I get requests to bring it every year.

Ingredients Required To Make Doritos Taco Salad

1. Ground Meat

Typically taco salad is made with seasoned ground beef. For this recipe you can use any type of ground beef that you prefer. Just be sure to drain off any fat that is left in the skillet before seasoning the meat.

However, if you don’t eat red meat or if you want to make this dish a little healthier you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken. Then season the cooked meat as instructed in the recipe below.

In addition, for those vegetarians and vegan eaters you have an option as well. Use plant based crumbles as the protein of choice.

2. Taco Seasoning

Any taco salad must hold that classic taco flavor. Although you could make your own taco seasoning, we are keeping things simple here and using a packet of taco seasoning.

Although the recipe below calls for 1 packet of the dry seasoning mix, you can adjust the amount that you use based on the desired taste preference. For more prominent taco flavor add additional seasoning.

My family likes a stronger taco seasoning flavor in regular tacos and in this salad recipe. Therefore I will add 1 packet plus 1/4 of another packet to season the meat.

3. Vegetables

Lettuce, tomato, and red onions are the most common vegetables in taco salad. However feel free to add in other vegetables that you prefer or have on hand.

Green pepper, red pepper, corn and jalapeños are all good choices to add to the mix.

4. Shredded Cheese

Every good taco salad will include shredded cheese as one of the ingredients. And this recipe is no different.

The classic recipe includes finely shredded Cheddar cheese. However you can switch up the variety of cheese that you use to add different flavor to the dish.

Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella and even Pepper Jack cheese will all work well in this recipe.

5. Beans

Although black beans and pinto beans are most commonly used in Mexican salads, this recipe adds a unique twist when it comes to what type of beans to use in this Doritos Taco Salad recipe.

Instead of black or pinto beans, chili beans add great flavor and texture in this recipe. The seasoned chili beans compliments the other flavors in the dish perfectly.

Feel free to use mild, medium or hot chili beans based on what you and your family and friends enjoy. Just be sure to drain them before adding them to the salad to prevent the ingredients from becoming too soggy.

6. Dressing

Another reason that this recipe sets itself above the rest is that it includes a dressing. Although most taco salads are served without dressing, the addition of the sweet and tangy Catalina dressing really takes the flavor to the next level with this recipe.

7. Doritos Nacho Chips

The star ingredient in this taco salad recipe is a bag of Doritos nacho chips. The classic orange chips are broken up into bite size pieces and tossed with the other ingredients right before serving.

Adding them at the last minute allows the chips to remain crunchy when serving. Then toss them in with the other ingredients and you are ready to enjoy the best potluck side dish recipe!

However, don’t limit yourself to only the nacho variety of Doritos. There are so many different flavors to choose from so feel free to switch up the flavors.

For instance, use the Cool Ranch Doritos instead of the nacho flavored chips. Then take it one step further and instead of using Catalina dressing, keep with the Ranch theme and use Ranch dressing.

Although I prefer the recipe as written below, the possibilities are endless!

Doritos Taco Salad Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 1/4 ounce package package taco seasoning
• 1 small head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 15 oz. can chili beans, drained
• 16 oz. bottle Catalina dressing
• 10 oz. bag Doritos, nacho flavor

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium skillet brown the ground beef. Then drain the excess fat.

Add the meat back to skillet and mix in the taco seasoning and water per the back of the instruction packet. Bring the mixture to a simmer until most of the water has been absorbed/evaporated. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the beef cool.

Now it is time to assemble the Doritos Taco Salad. In a large serving bowl, add the ground beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, red onion and chili beans and mix until well combined.

If you aren’t ready to serve the salad immediately, cover and let it cool in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Right before serving add in the Catalina dressing and slightly crushed Doritos and toss gently to mix. Serve immediately.

Although this recipe is best enjoyed immediately after the chips and dressing are added, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, the chips will no longer be as crunchy as they were once first served.

Enjoy! Mary

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