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    Home » Main Dish

    Low Calorie Taco Salad

    Published: February 24, 2019 - Last updated: February 9, 2023 by Erika

    low calorie taco salad thumbnail picture.
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    low calorie taco salad pin.

    This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission from sales. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

    This Low Calorie Doritos Taco Salad is a nostalgic family favorite perfect for any occasion. It's incredibly simple yet delicious. Juicy seasoned ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheddar are tossed with nacho cheese flavored Doritos, then dressed with bright and tangy Catalina dressing.

    top view of taco salad on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Make Ahead
    • Recipe FAQ‘s
    • More Healthy Mexican Recipes
    • Low Calorie Taco Salad

    Check out my Keto Broccoli Salad and my Healthy Chicken Salad With Apples. Who says healthy salads are boring?

    This low calorie taco salad is a lifesaver when you need a last-minute dish for potlucks, picnics, and game day gatherings. It's made with seven low-calorie ingredients in under 20 minutes. The results are a crowd-pleasing bowl of taco salad with mouthwatering flavor and a delectable cheesy crunch!

    If you enjoy a good taco salad, you'll love this riff on a classic. Nacho cheese Doritos take the place of corn tortilla chips for that signature crunch!

    As for the rest of the salad, it's made with everything we love about ground beef tacos; all tossed in vibrant Catalina dressing. So you get delicious taco-seasoned ground beef, creamy cheddar, fresh iceberg, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy Doritos in every bite!

    close up view of taco salad.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Quick and easy, and perfect for parties.
    • Great way to get in more veggies. What could be more enticing than a salad with Doritos?
    • It's a retro salad everyone loves that's perfect in the summer.
    • There are lots of ways to customize with mix-ins and toppings.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Doritos taco salad labeled ingredients.
    • Ground Beef: Extra-lean 95/5 or 90/10 ground beef works best and has the least calories. If you use fattier ground beef, drain off the fat before seasoning.
    • Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite reduced-sodium or regular taco seasoning. Feel free to use spicy taco seasoning if you can handle the heat.
    • Iceberg Lettuce: Adds a fresh, crisp element to the salad. You can also use romaine lettuce here.
    • Tomato: For tacos and taco salads, use meaty tomatoes like Roma or beefsteak. You can also use halved grape tomatoes, but they're slightly sweeter.
    • Shredded Cheese: Low-fat or regular sharp cheddar cheese, Monterrey Jack, or Mexican blend.
    • Nacho Cheese Doritos: The star of the salad! Doritos replace plain tortilla chips, making a tasty taco salad even better.
    • Catalina Dressing: This rich, sweet dressing is perfect with zesty taco salads. As an alternative, French and Russian dressing is very similar to Catalina. To switch it up, toss your salad in ranch, spicy ranch, and Thousand Island.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    four image process making Doritos taco salad.

    tep 1: Brown ground beef.

    In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain well and transfer to a mixing bowl.

    Step 2: Season ground beef.

    Add the packet of taco seasoning to the bowl, and stir to coat the meat thoroughly in spices.

    Step 3: Toss taco salad.

    Gently toss the lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese together in a large serving bowl. Then, add the ground beef, and stir to combine.

    Step 4: Serve.

    Immediately before serving, add the Dorito pieces and the dressing. Toss to coat and serve right away. See below for optional toppings. Enjoy!

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    side view of taco salad on an plate.

    Expert Tips

    • Once the ground beef is browned and cooked through, it's important to drain off all of the fat. Excess fat will make your salad taste greasy, and we don't want that!
    • If possible, shred the cheese from a fresh block. It will have a creamier consistency and all-around better flavor.
    • You want the Doritos and lettuce to have their bite still when you serve the salad, so don't add the Doritos or the dressing until immediately before you're ready to serve.

    Variations

    Protein - Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or ground turkey.

    Vegetarian - You can also make a vegetarian version using your favorite plant-based ground meat alternative.

    Corn chips - If you aren't a fan of Doritos, feel free to use any corn chips. Fritos and Bugles are great options.

    Mix-ins & toppings - Upgrade your Doritos taco salad with more delicious flavors and textures. Check out the list below for what mix-in ideas.

    • Avocado
    • Jalapeno slices
    • Corn kernels
    • Black beans
    • Pinto beans
    • Diced red or white onion
    • Black olives
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Guacamole
    • Sour Cream
    • Salsa
    • Pico de gallo
    • Hot sauce

    Storing & Make Ahead

    Storing: This is best enjoyed immediately while the lettuce and chips are still crunchy. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for 2-3 days. Do not freeze.

    Make Ahead: To save time, you can brown and season the ground beef and chop the veggies one day in advance. Keep everything stored separately in the fridge, then toss it all together right before serving.

    Recipe FAQ‘s

    How many calories are in a taco salad with Doritos?

    The precise amount of calories will vary depending on your specific ingredients. For example, this Doritos taco salad has approximately 150 calories per half-cup.

    Are taco salads made with lean ground beef healthy?

    Lean ground beef is rich in various vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of protein. It also includes vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, iron, niacin, and vitamin B6.

    Do you serve taco salad with Doritos hot or cold?

    I like serving the salad while the ground beef is still warm and the veggies are cool, but it's just as delicious if you let the meat cool completely before tossing and serving.

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    low calorie taco salad thumbnail picture.

    Low Calorie Taco Salad

    Erika
    This low calorie Doritos taco salad is a nostalgic family favorite perfect for any occasion. It's incredibly simple yet delicious. Juicy seasoned ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheddar are tossed with nacho cheese flavored Doritos, then dressed with bright and tangy Catalina dressing.
    4.60 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 14 Servings
    Calories 115 kcal

    Equipment

    • 12-Inch Tongs
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6)
    • Utensil Set, 3-Piece
    • Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups
    • Ceramic Non-Stick Covered Frypan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound 95/5 lean ground beef
    • 1 packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
    • 1 large head of iceberg lettuce chopped into bite sized pieces
    • 1 medium tomato diced
    • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    • 4 ounces nacho cheese Doritos broken up into bite sized pieces
    • 1 cup light Catalina dressing
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    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain well and transfer to a mixing bowl.
    • Add the packet of taco seasoning to the bowl, and stir to coat the meat thoroughly in spices.
    • Gently toss the lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese together in a large serving bowl. Then, add the ground beef, and stir to combine.
    • Immediately before serving, add the Dorito pieces and the dressing. Toss to coat and serve right away. See below for optional toppings. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Once the ground beef is browned and cooked through, it's important to drain off all of the fat. Excess fat will make your salad taste greasy, and we don't want that!
    • If possible, shred the cheese from a fresh block. It will have a creamier consistency and all-around better flavor.
    • You want the Doritos and lettuce to have their bite still when you serve the salad, so don't add the Doritos or the dressing until immediately before you're ready to serve.
    • Storing: This is best enjoyed immediately while the lettuce and chips are still crunchy. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for 2-3 days. Do not freeze.
    • Make Ahead: To save time, you can brown and season the ground beef and chop the veggies one day in advance. Keep everything stored separately in the fridge, then toss it all together right before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 284mgSugar: 5g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keyword doritos taco salad, Low Calorie Taco Salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef

      June 26, 2019 at 8:08 pm

      I'm sure this salad packs a serious punch of flavor and crunch, which are tops in my book!

      Reply
    2. Kim

      November 12, 2020 at 12:39 am

      How many calories is this without the Catalina dressing?

      Reply
      • simplylowcal

        November 13, 2020 at 10:27 pm

        Hi Kim, it's about 80 calories per serving without the dressing.

        Reply

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