The Ultimate Frito Taco Salad Recipe for Zesty Family Dinners

Crisp and colorful, this Frito taco salad recipe bursts with zesty Tex-Mex flavors that dance across your plate.

Layers of crunchy corn chips mingle with seasoned ground beef and fresh vegetables for a mouthwatering meal.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of textures and tangy seasonings.

Vibrant toppings like shredded cheese, cool sour cream, and diced tomatoes add depth to this crowd-pleasing dish.

The salad brings together classic taco ingredients in a playful, irresistible presentation.

Packed with protein and crunch, this recipe transforms weeknight dinners into a fiesta of deliciousness.

Prepare to savor every satisfying forkful of this ultimate comfort food.

Frito Taco Salad Catalina Dressing Why It’s So Addictive

• Whip up this taco salad in minutes with simple ingredients and basic cooking skills, making it perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches.
• Combine crunchy Fritos, zesty ground beef, and tangy Catalina dressing for a mouthwatering dish that satisfies everyone from kids to adults.
• Easily swap ingredients or adjust quantities to match your taste preferences, dietary needs, or what's available in your kitchen.
• Enjoy a complete meal packed with protein, veggies, and crunch in a single, convenient serving bowl that minimizes cleanup and maximizes satisfaction.

What’s in Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

• Ground Beef: Seasoned with taco mix for a savory and spicy flavor profile.
• Kidney Beans: Provides additional protein and hearty texture to the salad.

• Lettuce, Shredded: Creates a crisp and fresh foundation for the taco salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds bright color and juicy freshness to the dish.
• Red Onion: Contributes a sharp and zesty flavor to complement the other ingredients.

• Fritos, Crushed: Offers a signature corn chip crunch and signature texture.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy richness and melts slightly when combined with warm ingredients.

• Catalina Dressing: Provides a sweet and tangy coating that ties all the salad ingredients together.

Salad-Making Tools You’ll Need

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef to juicy perfection.
• Large serving bowl: Spacious vessel for building your colorful taco salad layers.
• Cutting board: Essential for chopping tomatoes and slicing red onion.
• Sharp knife: Helps you slice vegetables with precision.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ground beef while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate taco seasoning for maximum flavor.

Preparing Frito Taco Salad Step by Step

Step 1: Brown Savory Meat

Heat a skillet over medium flame and crumble ground beef into the pan.

Sprinkle taco seasoning throughout the meat, stirring and cooking until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains.

Remove from heat and let the meat cool slightly.

Step 2: Create Crispy Crunchy Base

Select a large serving bowl and spread a generous layer of crisp, shredded lettuce across the bottom, creating a fresh green foundation for the salad.

Step 3: Build Colorful Layers

• Crunchy corn chips
• Hearty kidney beans
• Vibrant cherry tomatoes
• Melty shredded cheese
• Zesty diced red onion

Step 4: Distribute Seasoned Protein

Evenly scatter the warm, spiced ground beef across the top of the layered ingredients, ensuring each bite will have a delicious meaty component.

Step 5: Drench with Tangy Sauce

Generously drizzle Catalina dressing over the entire salad, allowing the sweet and tangy liquid to cascade through the layers.

Step 6: Mix and Mingle

Gently toss all ingredients together, ensuring every component gets coated with the vibrant dressing and blends harmoniously.

Step 7: Plate and Devour

Transfer the mixed salad to individual serving plates and dig in while the ingredients are fresh and crisp.

Salad Tips for Extra Crunch and Zing

• Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent a soggy salad and keep the Fritos crunchy.
• Refrigerate lettuce and vegetables before assembling to maintain crisp texture and enhance salad freshness.
• Place Fritos between layers to prevent them from getting soggy and maintain their satisfying crunch.
• Use light Catalina dressing for a lower-calorie option or make homemade dressing for a fresher taste.
• Chop vegetables and cook beef in advance, storing separately to assemble quickly when ready to serve.

Frito Taco Salad Styles and Mix-Ins

• Vegetarian Fiesta: Replace ground beef with black beans or crumbled plant-based meat alternative, keeping all other ingredients the same for a meatless version.
• Low-Carb Crunch: Swap Fritos with crushed pork rinds or sliced almonds, use cauliflower rice as a base instead of traditional lettuce for a keto-friendly option.
• Chicken Swap: Substitute ground beef with grilled, seasoned chicken breast, diced into small cubes for a lighter protein choice.
• Mediterranean Spin: Use Greek yogurt dressing, add cucumber, replace kidney beans with chickpeas, and sprinkle feta cheese instead of shredded cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Serving Taco Salad for a Crowd or Solo

• Picnic Party Platter: Spread the taco salad on a large platter for a stunning communal dining experience that encourages sharing and conversation.
• Taco Night Twist: Transform this salad into a build-your-own taco salad bar where guests can customize their portions with extra toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or jalapeños.
• Fresh Accompaniment Magic: Pair the salad with crisp tortilla chips, cold Mexican beer, or a zesty margarita to elevate the entire meal's flavor profile and dining experience.
• Leftover Love: Store components separately in the refrigerator and reassemble the next day, keeping Fritos on the side to maintain their crunch and prevent soggy texture.

Keeping Frito Taco Salad Crisp

• Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Separate Fritos and dressing to prevent sogginess.
• Keep beef, lettuce, and toppings in different containers to maintain freshness and crispiness.
• Warm ground beef in microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds, stirring midway to ensure even heating.
• Before eating, add crisp Fritos and fresh dressing to revive the salad's texture and flavor.

FAQs

• Is Frito Taco Salad a healthy meal?

While not a low-calorie option, this salad offers protein from beef and beans, vegetables for nutrients, and can be modified with lean ground turkey or reduced-fat cheese for a healthier version.

• Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives, black beans, or grilled tofu to create a vegetarian-friendly taco salad that maintains the same delicious flavors.

• How long can Frito Taco Salad stay fresh?

Best enjoyed immediately after preparation to keep Fritos crispy. If needed, store components separately and assemble just before serving to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.

Frito Taco Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Frito Taco Salad delivers a Tex-Mex carnival of flavors with crispy corn chips, seasoned ground beef, and zesty toppings. Crunchy textures and bold southwestern spices create a quick, satisfying meal for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners you’ll devour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Vegetables and Beans:

• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup diced red onion

Cheese, Chips, and Dressing:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups Fritos corn chips
• 1 cup Catalina dressing

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Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and brown the ground beef, incorporating taco seasoning until fully cooked and fragrant.
2. Allow the seasoned beef to cool and drain excess fat while preparing the salad base.
3. Select a large serving bowl and create a foundation of crisp, freshly chopped lettuce as the initial layer.
4. Distribute crunchy Fritos across the lettuce, creating a textural base for the salad.
5. Scatter kidney beans evenly over the Fritos, ensuring balanced distribution throughout the dish.
6. Sprinkle halved cherry tomatoes across the layers to add vibrant color and fresh flavor.
7. Generously coat the surface with shredded cheese, allowing it to rest atop the existing ingredients.
8. Finely dice red onions and disperse them across the salad for a sharp, zesty accent.
9. Gently place the cooled ground beef over the assembled ingredients, creating a uniform protein layer.
10. Drizzle Catalina dressing liberally over the entire salad, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Using salad utensils, carefully toss all components to integrate flavors and dressing thoroughly.
12. Serve immediately to maintain the Fritos’ crispness and enjoy the robust, layered textures.

Notes

• Keep beef slightly crumbly when cooking to prevent dense meat clumps in the salad.
• Drain excess fat from ground beef to maintain a lighter, fresher texture.
• Chill ingredients beforehand for a crisp, refreshing salad experience.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the same zesty flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg