This is an easy and hearty recipe for taco salad. Unlike the typical Mexican taco salad from restaurants, it has a refreshing and zingy flavor without the taco shell. Instead, we use Doritos to give it a crispy texture. It's easy to control the serving size and satisfies the craving for chips. We also recommend if you want to cut more calories use homemade taco chips, which are delicious and pair perfectly with this salad.

Zesty Taco Salad

This is a salad that is loved by kids. I used to make it for Amy and Josh, when they were young. I remember the first time Amy ordered a taco salad at a restaurant. Although she enjoyed the taco shell because it was fun to eat, it lacked the zesty taste that she appreciated in our homemade salad.

I absolutely love salads, but sometimes they can get a little monotonous. Plus, in the winter, I have to be in the right mood to enjoy one. But, this Dorito Taco Salad takes salads to a whole new level and will definitely put a smile on your face! This salad is not only easy to make, but also incredibly delicious!

Use ground turkey instead of ground beef

This salad can be made with ground turkey, chicken or beef. I prefer 99% fat free ground turkey. It has fewer calories and it pops the taco seasoning flavor. We love to make an extra turkey with homemade taco seasoning. It makes dinners or snacks so easy.

Since starting our diet we have found so many ways to cut calories and one of the easiest ways is by using 99% fat-free ground turkey. I mean if you are on the Weight Watchers diet there are no points for turkey. I'm still a little confused with the new WW diet - freestyle. But they say you can eat all you want of certain foods so. . .we will see how this goes.

If you love Mexican night or Taco Tuesday in your house, here's a little trick that you'll find helpful - use ground turkey instead of beef. This simple swap can cut a lot of calories without compromising on taste. The best part? No one will even notice the difference. It's a smart way to reduce calories without drawing attention to it. We like to cook extra turkey, so on Taco Tuesday night, everyone can have whatever they want, guilt-free. From tostadas to nachos or this delectable salad, the options are endless!

If you prefer not to use turkey, you can easily substitute it with ground chicken which will save the same amount of calories. Alternatively, if you have someone who refuses to eat turkey or chicken, you can use ground beef instead.

Doritos Taco Salad is so good its addictive

This taco salad is easy to make and bursting with flavors. The ground turkey is seasoned with savory spices. The tangy low-fat Catalina salad dressing takes this salad to the next level. I typically use lettuce, ground turkey, tomato and sliced green onions, and add a Jalapeño for a bit of extra heat. Amy prefers pickled Jalapeños on her salad. You can customize this recipe as per your preferences or based on what ingredients you have on hand. If you want to add more items, you can always include Avocado, cilantro, and sour cream

Tips for Taco Salad

Don't mix the Doritos chips in the salad. Instead, place them around the plate and count them! This way, you can enjoy the chips without consuming too many calories. I find this method very satisfying, preventing me from feeling like I didn't get enough chips. We prefer spicy Dorito chips or Nacho cheese-flavored chips.
If adding sour cream, remember to use fat-free or light sour cream. It's an easy way to cut calories without sacrificing flavor. If you want a little more zing in your fat-free sour cream, add a splash of lemon juice or Tabasco sauce.
For a healthier option, choose 99% fat-free ground turkey or chicken when cooking.
Avoid adding oil to the pan as it can increase the fat content. Instead, when the meat starts to brown, add a little water to prevent sticking and reduce the fat. If you find the dish is lacking in flavor without the added oils, consider adding additional spices to enhance the taste.
Add the spices when you first put the ground meat into the pan. This will infuse the flavors into the meat. It really makes a huge difference
If you need to use ground beef, make sure to drain the grease and place the meat on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.