The Zesty Tex-Mex Salad Recipe Everyone Will Love

Bursting with vibrant colors and zesty Tex-Mex salad recipe flavors, this dish promises a culinary adventure that dances across your taste buds.

Fresh ingredients come together in a symphony of textures and spices.

Crisp vegetables mingle with bold seasonings, creating a perfect balance of heat and coolness.

Each forkful delivers a punch of southwestern-inspired goodness that will transport you to a sunny patio.

Crispy tortilla strips add a delightful crunch to this wholesome meal.

The combination of fresh greens, protein, and tangy dressing makes this salad a complete and satisfying experience.

Prepare to elevate your dinner routine with this mouthwatering creation that’s sure to become a new favorite.

Tex-Mex Salad Freshness On Your Fork

• This Tex-Mex salad delivers bold flavors in minutes with minimal kitchen skills required, perfect for busy home cooks craving a satisfying meal.
• Swap ingredients like ground turkey for beef or add extra toppings such as sour cream or jalapeños to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Kids and adults will love the crunchy tortilla chips, zesty dressing, and hearty beef, making it an instant crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Minimal cooking steps and straightforward preparation mean less cleanup and more time enjoying a delicious, protein-packed meal that comes together in a single skillet.

The Building Blocks Of Tex-Mex Salad

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides the main protein for the salad.

• Taco Seasoning Mix: Adds a zesty and authentic Tex-Mex flavor to the ground beef.
• Water: Helps to distribute the taco seasoning and create a sauce for the beef.

• Shredded Lettuce: Provides a crisp and fresh foundation for the salad.
• Diced Tomato: Adds a juicy and refreshing element to the dish.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Brings a creamy and tangy flavor to complement the beef.
• Kidney Beans: Offers additional protein and a hearty texture to the salad.

• Crushed Tortilla Chips: Gives a satisfying crunch and traditional Tex-Mex touch.
• Catalina Dressing: Provides a sweet and tangy coating that ties all the ingredients together.

Salad Prep Gear For Tex-Mex Success

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef evenly and cooking the meat.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring beef and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Crucial for combining vegetables, cheese, beans, and cooked beef.
• Colander: Needed to drain excess fat from beef and rinse kidney beans.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure water and seasoning for beef.
• Cutting Board: Used for chopping tomatoes and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for dicing tomatoes and preparing vegetables.

Steps To Tex-Mex Salad Magic

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium flame.

Crumble beef into the pan and cook until it transforms from pink to a rich brown color.

Discard any extra grease to keep the dish light and fresh.

Step 2: Spice Up the Meat

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef.

Pour water into the skillet and stir thoroughly.

Let the mixture bubble and then reduce heat.

Simmer for several minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors perfectly.

Step 3: Chop and Mix Veggies

Grab a spacious mixing bowl.

Slice crisp lettuce into thin strips.

Dice ripe tomatoes into small cubes.

Grate sharp cheddar cheese.

Drain kidney beans completely.

Step 4: Layer Salad Components

Transfer the sizzling seasoned beef into the vegetable bowl.

Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring even distribution of meat and fresh produce.

Step 5: Add Final Touches

Crush tortilla chips into bite-sized pieces.

Drizzle Catalina dressing over the salad.

Toss everything together moments before serving to maintain chip crunchiness.

Serve immediately for maximum flavor and texture.

Tex-Mex Salad Tips For Flavor Lovers

• Remove all excess grease from ground beef to prevent a soggy salad and maintain a crisp texture.
• Select crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes for maximum flavor and crunch in your Tex-Mex salad.
• Adjust taco seasoning amount based on personal spice preference, tasting as you mix.
• Add tortilla chips just before serving to keep them crunchy and prevent sogginess.
• Swap ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles for a meat-free alternative.

Tex-Mex Salad Combos & Add-Ins

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu seasoned with taco spices for a plant-based version.
• Lean Protein Option: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to reduce fat content while maintaining the classic Tex-Mex flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip tortilla chips and use crushed pork rinds or sunflower seeds for crunch, and swap Catalina dressing for a low-carb ranch or salsa.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure taco seasoning is gluten-free, use corn tortilla chips, and verify all ingredients meet gluten-free standards for those with dietary restrictions.

Ways To Plate Tex-Mex Salad

• Fiesta Party Platter: Spread the salad on a large platter and garnish with extra tortilla chips around the edges for a stunning presentation that screams celebration.
• Loaded Taco Bowl: Serve the salad in individual deep bowls, topping each portion with a dollop of sour cream, fresh salsa, and sliced jalapeños for extra kick.
• Family-Style Sharing: Place the salad in a big communal bowl at the center of the table, letting everyone scoop their own portion with additional chips and dressing on the side.
• Quick Lunch Wrap: Roll the salad mixture into large flour tortillas for a portable meal perfect for picnics, work lunches, or casual dining on the go.

Storing Tex-Mex Salad For Crispness

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the salad fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Separate the tortilla chips to prevent sogginess.
• Not recommended due to lettuce and vegetable texture changes. The meat can be frozen separately for up to 3 months in a sealed freezer bag.
• Warm the ground beef in a microwave or skillet, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add fresh lettuce and crisp tortilla chips when serving to maintain texture.
• Enjoy the Tex-Mex salad straight from the refrigerator by adding fresh tortilla chips and a splash of dressing for a quick, tasty meal.

FAQs

• Is this salad gluten-free?

No, the recipe contains tortilla chips which typically have gluten. To make it gluten-free, use corn tortilla chips or gluten-free chips.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is an excellent lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this Tex-Mex salad recipe. Just cook it the same way as the ground beef.

• How spicy is this salad?

The spice level depends on the taco seasoning mix you choose. Most store-bought mixes are mild, but you can select a hot version if you prefer more heat. Adjust according to your taste preference.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, you can prepare the beef and vegetables separately in advance. Keep the tortilla chips and dressing separate until serving to maintain crunchiness and prevent sogginess.

Tex-Mex Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 32 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mexican-inspired Tex-Mex salad combines fresh ingredients with zesty southwestern flavors. Crisp vegetables, seasoned protein, and tangy dressing create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Greens:

• 1 head lettuce, shredded
• 1 large tomato, diced

Seasonings and Dressing:

• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water
• 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) bag tortilla chips, crushed
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) Catalina dressing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, ensuring no pink remains visible.
2. Drain excess grease thoroughly from the meat, then return to pan.
3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over beef and pour water, stirring to distribute evenly.
4. Simmer mixture on low heat for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
5. Prepare salad base by layering crisp shredded lettuce in a large serving bowl.
6. Distribute diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and shredded cheddar cheese evenly across lettuce.
7. Transfer seasoned beef from skillet onto prepared vegetable mixture.
8. Gently fold ingredients together to ensure uniform distribution of meat and vegetables.
9. Immediately before serving, crush tortilla chips and scatter over salad.
10. Drizzle Catalina dressing across the top, ensuring light and even coverage.
11. Toss salad quickly to integrate all components and prevent chips from becoming soggy.
12. Serve promptly to maintain crisp texture and optimal temperature.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version that keeps the zesty Tex-Mex flavor profile intact.
• Drain kidney beans thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the salad soggy, ensuring a crisp and fresh texture.
• Toast tortilla chips lightly before crushing to enhance their crunch and add a deeper, slightly nutty undertone to the salad.
• Prepare ingredients separately and assemble just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent chips from becoming soggy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg