Keto Taco Salad Recipe

If you are on a low-carb or ketogenic diet and are looking for a delicious lunch or dinner recipe, then this Keto Taco Salad recipe is for you! However, even those who aren’t on a diet will enjoy this recipe as well!

You may think that the hardest part about being on a specific diet is actually following the diet. I would agree that it is hard maintaining any diet plan. However I believe the hardest part is actually cooking for the rest of the family who aren’t on a diet.

Although, with this recipe you won’t have to worry about that! In fact, if you don’t tell them that this is a Keto recipe, they will never know!

Ground beef seasoned with a few common spices to give it that classic taco flavor. Then the meat is put on top of a bed of lettuce and topped with onions, sliced cherry tomatoes and cheese.

Serve it as is for a delicious lunch or dinner recipe. Or garnish your salad with sour cream, avocados and a low-carb salsa for more flavor and texture.

Taco Seasoning

Although it is convenient to pick up a packet of taco seasoning from the grocery store, it is best to make your own, especially if you are following a low carb diet. That is because most store-bought taco seasoning packets have hidden carbs.

Many contain ingredients like sugar, maltodextrin, and wheat flour, which can add carbs. However, there are a few low-carb taco seasoning options available.

• Spice Islands Organic Taco Seasoning: This seasoning contains only spices and herbs and has 2 grams of net carbs per serving.
• McCormick Keto Taco Seasoning: This seasoning is made with keto-friendly ingredients and has 1 gram of net carbs per serving.
• Siete Taco Seasoning: This seasoning is gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free and has 4 grams of net carbs per serving.

Although you may have difficulty finding these products at your local grocery store. Therefore, I find it easiest to make homemade taco seasoning from a few ingredients that I already have in my pantry.

This allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the amount of spice to your liking. Here is a simple recipe:

Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1⁄2 tablespoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
3. Use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of ground meat.

Now that you have your taco seasoning, it is time to prepare the other ingredients.

Best Lettuce For Keto Taco Salad

The “best” type of lettuce for taco salad depends on your personal preferences, but here are some popular options:

Iceberg lettuce:

Classic choice for any salad as it is crisp and refreshing. It has a neutral flavor and holds its shape well when under heavier toppings.

Romaine lettuce:

A popular choice for many, garden romaine lettuce adds a slightly bitter flavor and crunchy texture that compliments taco toppings. However it is more expensive than iceberg lettuce and depending on which part of the head of lettuce that you use, it may wilt under heavy toppings.

Green leaf lettuce:

A mild flavor lettuce that has a slightly softer texture than romaine. It can wilt easily and doesn’t offer as much crunch as iceberg or romaine.

Spinach:

Instead of lettuce, you can use spinach leaves as the base for more nutritional value. The spinach adds a slight earthy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients. Unfortunately, the leaves aren’t very sturdy and won’t provide the same crunch as iceberg or romaine lettuce.

So pick out your favorite lettuce and get this delicious, and easy to make recipe on your table!

Classic Keto Taco Salad

*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 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 lbs. ground chicken, ground turkey or ground beef
• 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (recipe above)
• 1 head lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 onion, diced

Optional Serving Ingredients:

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Sour cream
• Avocado

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Place a large skillet over medium heat. Then add the extra virgin olive oil to the pan. Once hot add the ground meat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

With a wooden spatula, break up the ground meat as it cooks. Keep cooking until the meat is no longer pink and cooked through. If you use chicken or turkey you will not need to drain the meat because it is so lean.

*However if you are using ground beef instead of ground chicken or ground turkey, omit the oil and cook the meat until is no longer pink. Then drain and return the meat to the skillet.

Step 2:

Add cumin, paprika and chili powder to make your taco seasoning for the Keto Taco Salad. If you like your taco meat spicy, add a little more chili powder. However, if you don’t like any heat at all omit the chili seasoning altogether. Add the water and stir.

Step 3:

Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and continue to cook until the liquid has been mostly absorbed and evaporated. Remove the skillet from the heat and then set the skillet aside.

Step 4:

Chop up your lettuce and onion, and then dice the avocado, if using.

Divide the chopped lettuce between dinner plates. Then sprinkle a few chopped onions over the lettuce, and then add as much, or as little of the seasoned and cooked ground meat on top of the lettuce and onion.

When ready to serve, add some diced avocado and a dollop of sour cream to each plate, if desired. It is okay to add a couple of cherry or grape tomatoes, but because they contain carbs, be sure to limit them to 2-3 per serving.

Enjoy! Mary

If you would prefer to make a low-carb casserole rather than a salad, be sure to check out my favorite Keto Taco Casserole recipe.

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