Taco Salad

Name: Taco Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Cuisine: Tex-Mex Menu
Ingredients: Flour Tortillas — 4 to 6; Oil — 2 tbsp; Ground Beef — 450 g; Taco Seasoning — To taste; Sour Cream — To taste; Mayonnaise — To taste; Lime Juice — 2 tbsp; Garlic Powder — To taste; Iceberg Lettuce — 1 head; Red Onion — 1; Tomatoes — To taste; Avocado — To taste; Cheddar Cheese — To taste; Tortilla Strips — To taste

This restaurant-quality taco salad is served in a homemade, crispy tortilla bowl and packed with flavourful ground beef, fresh iceberg lettuce, creamy avocado, and vibrant tomatoes. Finished with a tangy lime crema dressing and a crunch of tortilla strips, it is a fun, crowd-pleasing meal that is perfect for any taco party and easily customisable with your favourite fresh toppings.

Cuisines

Cooking Instructions

Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

Notes:

Using 25 cm flour tortillas allows you to create larger, sturdier salad bowls; shape them over oven-safe bowls with flat bases to ensure they remain stable while you load them with salad.

After frying the tortilla bowls, immediately transfer them to a wire rack to cool; this prevents the steam from making them soggy and ensures they stay perfectly crisp.

If you prefer a milder flavour for the onion topping, swap red onion for chopped spring onions or chives, which provide a delicate bite without being overly intense.

The lime crema dressing is the secret to a professional-tasting salad; the combination of sour cream, real mayonnaise, and lime juice creates a luxurious, zesty sauce that perfectly ties all the components together.

For entertaining, serve all the toppings in individual bowls buffet-style; this allows guests to build their own customised taco salads exactly to their liking, making it a stress-free and interactive experience.

Shape Tortilla Bowls
Fry flour tortillas in a skillet with hot oil for 30 to 45 seconds per side until golden, immediately shape them over oven-safe bowls, and bake at 180 C for 12 to 14 minutes until crisp.

Cook Beef
Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain any excess fat, stir in taco seasoning and water, and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the liquid has mostly evaporated.

Make Lime Crema
Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and garlic powder in a bowl until smooth; add Sriracha if you prefer a spicier dressing.

Prepare Toppings
Chop the iceberg lettuce, dice the red onion, tomatoes, and avocado, and have your shredded cheddar cheese and additional tortilla strips ready for assembly.

Assemble
Place a crispy tortilla bowl on a plate, load it with lettuce, top with a generous portion of beef, then add layers of tomatoes, avocado, onion, cheese, and tortilla strips, drizzling the lime crema over everything before serving.