Description
Mexican-inspired seven-layer taco salad delivers layers of zesty flavors and textures in one spectacular dish. Crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, and colorful toppings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (16 oz / 454 g) refried beans
- 2 cups (480 mL) shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
- 1 cup (240 mL) salsa
- 1 cup (240 mL) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 mL) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 mL) sour cream
- 1 cup (240 mL) guacamole
- ½ cup (120 mL) sliced black olives
- ¼ cup (60 mL) chopped green onions
- tortilla chips (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet until completely cooked, draining excess fat thoroughly. Mix in taco seasoning and simmer until flavors fully integrate.
- Layer Foundation: Select a clear, deep serving dish. Spread refried beans evenly across the bottom, creating a smooth base layer.
- Protein and Cream Layer: Distribute seasoned beef uniformly over beans, then apply a consistent sour cream stratum to bridge meat and subsequent ingredients.
- Moisture and Freshness: Spread guacamole across the surface, followed by strategic salsa placement to enhance moisture without oversaturating.
- Texture and Color Composition: Cover with crisp, chopped lettuce, then generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese to cascade naturally over the greens.
- Final Embellishments: Decorate with diced tomatoes, black olive slices, and finely chopped green onions to add visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Serving Preparation: Chill the assembled salad for one hour to allow flavors to meld and intensify. Serve accompanied by crisp tortilla chips for an interactive dining experience.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a soggy, oily base that can ruin the salad’s texture and taste.
- Layer Strategically: Build layers carefully, starting with denser ingredients like beans and meat at the bottom to create a stable foundation that prevents ingredient mixing.
- Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, integrated taste profile.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Easily adapt the recipe by using ground turkey for a leaner option, plant-based meat substitute for vegetarians, or gluten-free tortilla chips for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg