Description
Mexican-inspired taco fiesta layered salad delivers a colorful culinary journey through zesty flavors and fresh ingredients. Crisp vegetables, seasoned protein, and tangy dressing create a delightful ensemble you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 15-ounces cans black beans, rinsed and well drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Fresh Ingredients:
- 5 ounces (142 grams) pre-washed lettuce, chopped
- 16 ounces (454 grams) frozen corn, thawed and well drained
- 6 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and cut to a large dice
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 2 2.25-ounces cans sliced black olives
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ½ cup crumbled tortilla chips
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant foundation by arranging crisp lettuce around the perimeter of a transparent serving vessel, creating an appealing visual border with a filled center.
- Generously cascade black beans over the lettuce layer, ensuring uniform distribution across the surface.
- Introduce a golden layer of thawed corn, spreading evenly to provide subtle sweetness and texture.
- Scatter ruby-red Roma tomatoes across the corn, creating a bright and juicy landscape.
- Blanket the tomatoes with a generous shower of sharp cheddar cheese, covering the entire surface completely.
- Embellish the cheese layer with briny black olive rounds and delicate scallion snippets, enhancing flavor complexity.
- Crown the salad with a scattering of crumbled tortilla chips, introducing a satisfying crunch to the ensemble.
- Whisk taco seasoning into ranch dressing in a separate container, blending until the mixture achieves a uniform, zesty consistency.
- Present the dressing alongside the salad or delicately drizzle over the top moments before serving, allowing guests to customize their experience.
Notes
- Layering matters: Carefully arrange each ingredient in an even, deliberate manner to create a visually stunning and delicious salad.
- Make ahead friendly: Prepare all components separately and assemble just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
- Customize your crunch: Feel free to swap tortilla chips with crushed Doritos or different flavored chips for a unique twist.
- Protein power boost: Add grilled chicken, shredded beef, or ground turkey to transform this salad into a complete meal.
- Dressing versatility: The taco ranch dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for quick meal prep.
- Temperature tip: Serve chilled to keep the salad crisp and vegetables at their most refreshing state.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg