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Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina

In this post I’m sharing how to make a Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina.

You may have seen this salad at a potluck or luncheon. It is quite popular. This delicious taco salad has Doritos mixed into it. I’ve heard it is equally delicious with Fritos corn chips also. 

A Doritos taco salad for a crowd is easy to put together. The first time that I had this awesome salad was at an office luncheon party. One bite was all it took….amazing!

I don’t know where the recipe originated but you see it everywhere now. I’ve read that the founder of Fritos and Doritos did. If that’s true I’d say he came up with a winner…with the chips and the salad recipe.

You can easily pick up all of the ingredients that you need at your local grocery store or Walmart. This salad is sure to get rave reviews from your family and friends.

Catalina Taco Salad

Layered Taco Salad tossed with Doritos in an amber glass bowl

There is seasoned ground beef in this recipe, but you can make a taco salad without meat as well or use ground turkey. There are beans that offer protein. 

If you’re unsure about the Catalina dressing, I really suggest that you try it. The combination of ingredients work so well together in this recipe. 

If your family are ranch dressing fanatics, it’s time to try a new flavor. HaHa! You could use ranch though if you really want to. 

Easy Doritos Taco Salad

Ingredients in a taco salad with chips

Here’s what you’ll need to make a delicious Dorito taco salad recipe:

  • Lettuce – I prefer Iceberg lettuce and will mix in some Romaine lettuce if I have some on hand. I’ve always really enjoyed the crunch of the Iceberg lettuce.
  • Beans – Pinto beans, black beans or red kidney beans work well in this salad and are a classic in Mexican inspired dishes. Use one variety of a mix of all of them for larger salads. The beans also offer more protein to the salad making it hearty as a meal or side dish.
  • Taco Meat – A packet of taco seasoning for minced meat adds a wonderful flavor to this salad. I like ground chuck but you can use a lean ground beef if preferred. 
  • Other Vegetables – I include a variety of other vegetables for flavor, color and variety of flavors for the salad. Carrots, cucumber, chopped yellow onion or red onion, green onions, red bell pepper, corn, chopped cherry tomatoes or diced tomatoes, diced jalapeno peppers are all great options. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suite your own taste for this salad. Just use whatever you like.
  • Dressing – Sweet Catalina dressing is a popular choice for this salad. French dressing would also be a great option if you prefer it or just have that one on hand.
  • Chips – Nacho cheese Doritos are my favorite for this taco salad. You could also use corn chips or cool ranch Doritos if you prefer to switch up the flavors. The crushed Doritos add a nice crunchy texture to the salad as well as the flavors that we love in these chips.
  • Cheese – I love shredded cheddar cheese in this salad. A Mexican grated cheese blend or pepper jack would also be delicious options.
  • Favorite Taco Toppings – If you have other toppings that you enjoy then feel free to add those too. Black olives are great in this salad.

The recipe calls for an entire nine and three quarters oz. bag of Doritos but somehow I ended up with just nine ounces. Wink, Wink! Oops!

The Doritos chips do soften a bit once in the salad, so I wait until just before serving to add them. Not only does this salad taste really good, it is pretty to look at. I think so anyways. I love colorful food and this salad is always a crowd pleaser!

Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina

Serving of taco salad

I’d say this salad also works for a Taco Tuesday lunch or Cinco de Mayo side dish. One thing is for sure, you’ll enjoy this tasty salad whenever possible.

To prepare the salad, chop all of your vegetables and set them aside while you cook the one pound ground beef in a large skillet. 

Mince the meat up and cook until done then drain off the excess fat from the ground meat. Next, add the contents of the taco seasoning packet and add a small bit of water then stir to combine. Simmer the meat mixture over medium heat until the liquid has evaporated and the taco meat has thickened. 

Be sure to cool the meat cools down before adding it to the vegetables or it will wilt the lettuce.

Use a large bowl to combine the vegetables, cheese and meat mixture then top the salad with the Dorito chips before serving. Use a wooden spoon to combine everything the transfer to a larger serving bowl.

What to serve with this Easy Taco Salad?

This Dorito taco salad may be served as a meal or as a side dish. Here are a few options to serve with the salad.

  • Salsa
  • Sour Cream
  • Extra Cheese
  • Extra Chips
  • Hot Sauce

More recipes you might enjoy: Black Eyed Pea Dip or Ground Beef Taco Boats

Full Printable Taco Salad Recipe

Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina

Yield: 1 Large Salad

Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina

Amazing Dorito taco salad with Catalina dressing is the best taco salad for a crowd

Easy and delicious taco salad with Doritos and Catalina dressing. Perfect for potluck gatherings.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1.25 ounce Packet of Taco Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1 Head of Iceberg Lettuce, chopped
  • 2 or 3 Carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup Cucumber, sliced or diced
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
  • 2 Jalapeno Peppers, diced (ribs and seeds removed) - optional
  • 15 ounce Can of Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained
  • 11 ounce Can of Corn Niblets, rinsed and drained
  • 2.25 ounce Can of Sliced Black Olives, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
  • 3/4 cup Catalina Dressing, or more if needed to dress the salad.
  • 9.75 ounce Bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef, drain of excess oil.
  2. Add taco seasoning and water then mix to combine.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid has evaporated.
  4. Allow the meat mixture to cool a few minutes to room temperature.
  5. Combine the meat mixture, vegetables and shredded cheese together.
  6. Next, add the dressing and toss to combine.
  7. Crunch the Doritos in the bag to break into smaller pieces then add to the salad and mix to combine.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 409Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 643mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 7gSugar: 9gProtein: 19g

Be sure to check out our Doritos Taco Salad Video in this post

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See this recipe shared at Foodie Friday, Meal Plan Monday, Weekend Potluck 

Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Sharing is Caring

Becky

Tuesday 6th of April 2021

This is a family favorite in my house! I have never made it with carrots, cucumbers, and corn, though. It sounds like a great way to eat more veggies.

Julia Jordan

Wednesday 7th of April 2021

We love this salad too, Becky. I love that it's one of those versatile things that you can add or take away whatever you like in it.

Sheryl

Tuesday 21st of May 2019

I plan to make this for a ladies luncheon at church. Should I keep ingredients separate till last minute to keep from getting soggy and mix it just before serving or it is ok to mix it ahead. Will be 1 to 1 1/2 hours from time I get ingredients done till eaten. Thanks!! It looks so delicious!!

Julia Jordan

Tuesday 21st of May 2019

If you need to make it ahead then I would layer the ingredients (beef on bottom then heavy vegetables, cheese then lettuce and combine with dressing before serving and add the Doritos. This will keep everything from getting soggy.

Deanne

Saturday 18th of May 2019

My all time favorite potluck salad. YUM!!!

Julia Jordan

Saturday 18th of May 2019

It's so fun..and who doesn't love Doritos!

Debby

Friday 3rd of May 2019

Looks like the perfect meal to me! I love a bunch of flavor, and this looks like a major flavorful explosion!

Julia Jordan

Friday 3rd of May 2019

Debby, Thank you. It is so delicious!

Carlee

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

We make something similar with Fritos, I'll have to make the Doritos version next time!

Julia Jordan

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

I've heard it is good with Fritos too. I need to try it your way ;)

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