Try This Excellent Taco Salad

There are good taco salad recipes and then there are ones that make everyone ask, “who made that?” This is one of those dishes everyone will be asking about. Taco salad is not a new dish, but this recipe will surprise even the most hard-to-please of guests. You love taco salad because it has all the taste of the taco with a less of the mess. It can be made in bulk and will go a long way even with many hungry guests.

This excellent taco salad from Taste of Home was created with a large party in mind. Enjoy!

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef with 1 envelope plus 2 tablespoons taco seasoning until no longer pink; drain.
2. In a very large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, chips, tomatoes, beans, olives, cheese, onion, chilies and beef mixture.
3. In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, salsa, sugar and remaining taco seasoning; pour over salad and toss to coat.

Yield: 26 servings (1-1/3 cups each).

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 2 envelopes taco seasoning, divided
• 1 medium head iceberg lettuce
• 1 package (12-1/2 ounces) nacho tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
• 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
• 1-1/2 cups Thousand Island salad dressing
• 1-1/3 cups salsa
• 1-1/3 cups salsa
• 1/3 cup sugar

This recipe will serve about 26 people (1-1/3 cups each) which is perfect for a party. If you are making it for a smaller group you should plan on having a few leftovers, or you may want to reduce the ingredients by half.

Variations

Although this recipe is great by itself, here are some ideas to mix it up if you like to experience or customize your additions. If not, just keep it the way it is and you will love it:

• Add Mexican Four Blend Cheese
• Substitute your favorite dressing—or try a new combination like salsa and ranch
• Prepare the ingridents but don’t mix them—everyone can make their own version

To Make Healthier Taco Salad:

Try these alterations to reduce calories:

• Substitute ground turkey
• Don’t include the 1/3  cup of sugar—dressing will provide sweetness
• Use vegetarian griller crumbles or your favorite seafood choice in place of meat

Don’t Like Soggy Chips?

Many people prefer that their chips don’t get soggy from sitting with all the other ingredients. You may want to add the chips right before serving up the dish in order to keep them crunchy. You could also serve them on the side to act as great scoops for the salad.

Your family or guests will thank you for making this amazing taco salad. You’re bound to have a good time. Then again, you might prefer to take a night off from cooking. Come enjoy an authentic Mexican menu, and bring the family down to Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant in Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, or North Billerica, MA. We would love to have you!