Dorito Taco Salad
180 Comments
Posted: 03/18/23
Updated: 03/20/23
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
The perfect salad for a potluck or party! This Dorito Taco Salad is always a hit anywhere I bring it and we’ve been serving it my entire life. It’s loaded with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and Nacho Cheese Doritos for the perfect crunch!
It’s not summer until you make a Dorito Taco Salad! It’s the ultimate summer salad recipe perfect for parties, backyard cookouts or you can easily eat this as your dinner or lunch. A salad with chips? Sign me up!
This salad is originally my Mom’s so we know it’s delicious. Plus, whenever I bring it somewhere it’s always one of the first salads gone! It’s loaded with ground hamburger, cheddar cheese, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, Catalina dressing and of course the Nacho Cheese Doritos!
If you try this and love it, you need to try our Dorito casserole, too!
Ingredients for Taco Salad
- Iceberg Lettuce – You could also use Romaine or mixed greens if you prefer.
- Catalina dressing – This could be subbed for Ranch or French Dressings.
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Cheddar
- Hamburger – Easily substituted for ground chicken or turkey.
- Nacho Cheese Doritos – Mix it up by using Cool Ranch or Taco flavored Doritos!
Variations
You can really make this however you’d like with the ingredients in your pantry. If you’d rather use chicken or turkey instead of beef it’s a great substitution.
Trying making the protein with a packet of taco seasoning for an extra kick.
Other great additions are beans, corn, pico de gallo, gaucamole, green onions, black olives, peppers and more!
They are always coming out with new Dorito flavors so switch out Nacho Cheese for Taco or Spicy Doritos or whatever you’d like.
How to Make Dorito Taco Salad
Anyone can make this Taco Salad recipe because it’s so easy! If you can brown hamburger you can make it since that’s the hardest part of the entire recipe.
- Brown Hamburger – Grab your skillet and brown the hamburger then drain off the grease.
- Mix Ingredients – Mix it together with lettuce, dressing, tomatoes, onion and cheddar cheese in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve – When you are ready to serve it mix in the Doritos and top with dressing!
Can I make this ahead of time?
They key to making this easy Taco salad ahead of time is to layer it and then toss before serving. Layering it keeps the ingredients from becoming soggy.
First layer is the ground beef, then the tomatoes and onions form layer two. Sprinkle the lettuce on top of that and then the cheese. Leave off the Doritos until serving time. When it’s time to serve mix in chips and dressing and then toss to combine.
Do not add the salad dressing until you toss it before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
Cover and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
If you are not going to enjoy this all at one time simply take out the amount you’d like, top with chips and dressing then store the rest of the salad in an airtight container in the fridge.
Pro Tips!
- Not a fan of Catalina dressing? Use Ranch, French or any other dressing you’d love.
- Iceberg is the classic lettuce used in this salad, but you can use romaine or mixed greens too.
- Top with your favorite Taco toppings like diced avocado, fresh cilantro etc.
Servings Suggestions
- Fire up the grill and make this easy BBQ Chicken Marinade for amazing grilled chicken!
- It’s not a party until you serve Instant Pot Crack Chicken along this delicious salad.
- Mix up a big batch of Margaritas to serve!
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Dorito Taco Salad Recipe
This is always a hit at any party or backyard party. It's loaded with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and Nacho Cheese Doritos for the perfect crunch!
Video
Ingredients
- 1 head Iceberg Lettuce shredded
- 1 bottle Catalina dressing 16 ounces
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 onion chopped, if desired
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 ½ pounds hamburger browned and grease drained off
- 1 packet taco seasoning 3 Tablespoons if using homemade
- 15.5 ounces bag Nacho Cheese Doritos crushed
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown hamburger and drain off grease. Add packet of taco seasoning and finish cooking according to packet's directions.
- In a large bowl, mix the browned hamburger together with lettuce, tomatoes, onion and cheddar cheese in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Right before serving toss in dressing and mix in crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Tips
- If you’d like to make this ahead of time, simply layer the salad. First layer is the ground beef, then the tomatoes and onions form layer two. Sprinkle the lettuce on top of that and then the cheese. Leave off the Doritos and dressing until serving time. Toss to combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 615kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 37g (12%), Protein: 23g (46%), Fat: 40g (62%), Saturated Fat: 15g (94%), Cholesterol: 81mg (27%), Sodium: 980mg (43%), Potassium: 404mg (12%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 13g (14%), Vitamin A: 790IU (16%), Vitamin C: 4.8mg (6%), Calcium: 361mg (36%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
Originally Publish January 25, 2018
Gwyn says
So easy to make and everyone loves it!!
Kim says
Hello! I’m having a party with a mix of kids and adults, 27 in total. I’d like to make this as a 2nd side dish. Do you think the recipe as is would be enough or should I double it?
Sarah Hill says
If your friends and family are anything like mine, you’ll have to make more 😉 This recipe is for 12 servings so I would at least double it for your party!