Last weekend, I found myself at a Memorial Day cookout with my future in-laws, and amidst the usual BBQ fare, a Doritos Taco Salad appeared. Yes, you read that right, Doritos Taco Salad. It was love at first bite. I couldn’t get enough of it, dreaming of devouring the entire serving bowl. If you understand the craze around Doritos tacos from Taco Bell, you’ll understand my obsession with this salad.
As soon as I returned home, I immediately searched online and discovered numerous recipes mirroring the salad that was still on my mind. I was eager to create a lighter version and share it with all of you. The combination of taco-seasoned meat, the nacho cheese crunch of Doritos, and the sweet and tangy Catalina dressing is simply irresistible. The original salad used French dressing, which is also a great alternative. Feel free to experiment with additions like beans, corn, or black olives to personalize it (though nutritional information will change). I opted for simplicity, and the result was fantastic. However, the beauty of this salad lies in its adaptability to your personal preferences. As it is, a single cup is only 150 calories or 4 WW Points! To check your current WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app, click here!
Close-up shot of Doritos Taco Salad in a clear bowl, showcasing layers of lettuce, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, Doritos, and dressing.
Upon measuring, the total yield was slightly over 14 cups. This makes it ideal as a side dish for gatherings, potentially serving around 14 people. If you plan to serve it as a main course at home, consider 2 cups per serving, accommodating 7 people. Remember to add Doritos and dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess. This tip is crucial to maintain the delightful crunch of the Mexican Doritos, a key element of this salad’s appeal.
Here’s another helpful hint: if you, like me, worry about overindulging when faced with a large bag of Doritos, consider buying 6-packs of 1 oz bags. Use four for the recipe, leaving you with two perfectly portioned bags for later! This is a smart way to control portions and still enjoy the mexican doritos crunch in your salad and as a snack.
Overhead view of Doritos Taco Salad in a white bowl, highlighting the vibrant colors of the ingredients and the crunchy Doritos on top.
This recipe is guaranteed to be a hit, whether at a party or as a family dinner. Doritos and tacos combined in a salad that’s mindful of your waistline – what’s not to love? It’s a fun, flavorful, and surprisingly light way to enjoy the taste of Mexican-inspired cuisine with the irresistible crunch of mexican doritos.
A serving spoon scooping out a portion of Doritos Taco Salad, showing the mix of ingredients and textures in the salad.
Print Recipe 4.91 from 11 votes
Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 150kcal
This vibrant potluck salad features flavorful taco seasoned ground beef paired with crunchy Nacho Cheese Doritos and a sweet, tangy Catalina dressing. It’s a delightful twist on traditional Mexican flavors, enhanced by the iconic crunch of mexican doritos.
Yield: 14 cups
Ingredients
- 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
- 1 (1.25 oz) packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
- 1 medium-large head of iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite sized pieces (if you’re new to chopping iceberg lettuce, follow these directions)
- 1 medium-large tomato, diced
- 4 oz 50% less fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (like Cabot)
- 4 oz nacho cheese Doritos, lightly broken into bite-sized pieces – the star of our mexican doritos salad!
- 1 cup light Catalina or French dressing (I prefer Kraft Lite Catalina)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the taco seasoning packet and stir to coat evenly. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and seasoned ground beef.
- Just before serving, add the mexican doritos and dressing. Toss gently to combine, ensuring every bite gets that perfect crunch and flavor. Serve immediately to prevent the mexican doritos from becoming soggy.
Recipe Notes
To view your current WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, click here!
Nutritional Information (per 1 cup serving): 150 calories, 14 g carbs, 6 g sugars, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 10 g protein, 1 g fiber (from myfitnesspal.com)
MyWW SmartPoints per (1 cup) serving: (SP calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com) Green: 4 SmartPoints/ Blue: 4 SmartPoints/ Purple: 4 SmartPoints
Weight Watchers Points Plus: 4 per (1 cup) serving (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)
Adapted from Women Living Well
Author: Emily Bites
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Ground Beef, Picnic Salad, Potluck, Weight Watchers, WW Salad
posted on June 1, 2014
245 comments »
