I don’t claim this taco salad to be authentically Mexican, but I do claim it to be genuinely delicious. Great for groups, kids, or even a weekday dinner at home, this dish was a favorite of mine all growing up, and is now a favorite of my own family. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and will be requested again and again.
Mom's Taco Salad
A delicious taco-inspired salad that takes less than 30 minutes to make and will be an ongoing favorite for anyone you make it for.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lbs ground meat chicken, beef, turkey, or pork
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 1 zucchini squash chopped
- 5-6 tbsp taco seasoning
- 10 oz bag romaine lettuce pre-washed and cut
- 1 1/2 cups bell pepper any color, small diced
- 1 1/2 cups cucumber any variety, small diced
- 1-1 1/2 cups tomatoes any variety, quartered
- 1 avocado peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 small can sliced olives
- 1/2 cup canned black beans drained, rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, colby, or pepper jack
- 10 oz tortilla chips crushed (Frito's® brand suggested)
- 1 small handful cilantro chopped (optional)
- 3/4-1 cup thousand island dressing
Instructions
In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and zucchini and sweat for 2-3 minutes. Add the ground meat and taco seasoning and cook until done, stirring around frequently to break up any large bits of meat. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients except for the thousand island dressing. Toss together evenly. Once the meat has cooled almost to room temperature, add it and the dressing and mix until everything is coated evenly. Serve immediately.
17 COMMENTS
Betsy
1 week ago
Yum. My aunt passed down a taco salad that is almost identical. But her recipe includes a can of “ranch style” beans. The can with the black label on the shelf. Instead of thousand island, it uses Wishbone Russian dressing. Have it made/had it forever, since it literally feeds 20 people. Looks like I can cut this recipe down more easily, so thank you!
Kate
1 week ago
This looks delicious! Do you have any vegetarian dishes that you could share too? My daughter recently cut meat from her diet and I’m struggling to find meals for our family.
Chris
1 week ago
AUTHORI have a few, but most can be adjusted to be vegetarian. To make this salad vegetarian, remove the meat, add one more zucchini and a hand full of chopped mushrooms in place of the meat (cook it the same way). :)
lauren
1 week ago
I just had flashbacks to eating this as a child. I am not sure how i forgot about it, but I can’t wait to make it for my family. Its soooo good!
Charlie
1 week ago
I never would’ve thought to try this with thousand island dressing! I eat a similar one and use Hidden Valleys “Southwest Chipotle” and its amaziinggg! Not spicy at all either 🙂
Beka
1 week ago
I grew up eating a similar version and boy is it delish! The Thousand Island dressing is what makes this recipe!
Colette
1 week ago
My mom makes something similar but with taco or nacho cheese doritos! Yum!
Jess
1 week ago
Love the recipes Chris shares!
Meg
1 week ago
I love the addition of zucchini – can’t wait to try!
Liz
1 week ago
OK – in the items lists, you have ” 10 oz bag romaine lettuce preached and cut”. So, what does “preached” mean, in cooking terms?
And, do you have a recipe for thousand island dressing or do you use a bottled version? Thanks..
Chris
1 week ago
AUTHORAutocorrect – it’s supposed to say “pre-washed and cut”. Fixed. :)
Terri
1 week ago
Pre washed.
katy
1 week ago
But Julia can’t eat this because of her dietary restrictions right? Funny having a recipe on Chris Loves Julia that Julia can’t eat…
Chris
1 week ago
AUTHORI modify it for her. She told me to post the original.
jamie
1 week ago
Yeah that’s odd, what are the modifications you make? It would be more helpful to share??
Julia
1 week ago
I skip the cheese and beans, use Siete Tortilla chips instead of Fritos (they’re so good!!!) and Tessamae’s avacado ranch. I’ve had the original and it’s SO GOOD which is why I told Chris he has to post it, but even with these few substitutes it’s still good!
Janette
1 week ago
I’d love to see the modifications you make to the recipe.