Corn Chip Taco Salad

There are taco salads. And then there is this recipe for corn chip taco salad that has all the great taco salad ingredients and a corn chip crunch!

Why we love this recipe

Okay, I love love love this taco salad, and here’s why. Not because it is ridiculously easy to make (and it is). I just love a main meal salad that is both scrumptious and ready in a flash (looking at YOU, Shortcut Fried Chicken Salad!)

Not because it tastes ridiculously good (and it does). It’s because — unlike 99.9% of most taco salads — the crunchy part of the taco salad is actually worth eating.

And by that I mean this:  usually you order a taco salad and it comes in a giant tortilla “bowl.” You say to yourself, Self, I’m just going to eat the salad part, and you work through all that good stuff in the bowl.

Pretty soon your taco salad is gone and the only thing left standing is the tortilla bowl.

So you break off a piece of the side of it, and honestly? It’s not that good. It’s okay….but it’s kind of bland and not that tasty…but it’s there on your plate, and pretty soon you have picked off most of the sides of it.

And so your awesome taco salad has ended with a whimper.

But in THIS taco salad, my friends, your favorite corn chips take the place of that tortilla bowl.  They are added to the salad at the very end and tossed right into the salad along with everything else.

So every other bite contains a hit of salty corn chip wonderfulness along with all the other taco salad taste sensations.

Ingredients you need

Ingredient additions and substitutions

• Taco Seasoning: You can find this in the International Foods section of your supermarket…or in about five minutes you can make your own with this super easy taco seasoning recipe!
• Corn Chips: We love the regular size Frito chips for this recipe, but any corn chips will work! Do get the regular small ones – the scoop kind are a little big for this salad. But if that’s all you can find, just crunch them up a little before adding them.
• Avocado: These are notorious for being super hard when you buy them (you can find them in the produce section of your supermarket) so I always try and get mine a few days ahead to give it time to soften up. You can also swap out the avocado for guacamole, either the already prepared kind, or you can make your own – here’s my favorite guacamole recipe!
• Ground Beef: While you can use lean ground beef for this recipe, we recommend the 80/20 mixture for the best taste. You can also swap in ground turkey if you like!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

Here’s how to make this recipe

Step 1: : First we make the taco meat!  Cook a pound of ground beef over medium high heat-with a packet of taco seasoning, according to taco seasoning mix directions…or even better, make your own taco seasoning – it takes five minutes and has zero ingredients that you can’t pronounce.

Step 2: Combine the cooked meat mixture, one head of chopped iceberg lettuce, three chopped tomatoes (or if you aren’t in tomato season, you might want to use a couple cups of halved cherry tomatoes – they taste good all year!) some shredded cheddar and two peeled and chopped avocados in a large bowl.

Step 3: Now mix it all together until it is fully combined. The taco flavor in the meat drippings will serve as the “dressing” for the salad.

And…you’re done! Unless you want to add a dollop of sour cream on top of your salad. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Or drizzle on a little ranch dressing.

Equipment we used for this recipe

These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!

• Tongs: We love these for everything from tossing up delectable salads to flipping chicken! They come in multiple sizes.
• Large Skillet: You probably have one of these already but if you don’t, here’s our fave.
• Cutting board: These dishwasher safe cutting boards also come in multiple sizes and are nice and sturdy.
• Metal Bowls: These lightweight bowls are perfect for just about anything you want to mix up, and they also make nice informal serving bowls, especially for outside since they are unbreakable!

Recipe FAQ

Want to round out your meal?

Well, you KNOW we need a margarita with this supper...this recipe for a strawberry basil margarita is my all time fave.

And if you want to swap out the avocado for some guacamole (or have avocado AND guacamole) I love this easy recipe for bacon guacamole.

And after all that spicy deliciousness, let’s cool down with this recipe for peanut butter pretzel ice cream cake!

Other taco recipes we love

Could you leave us some stars?

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.

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Corn Chip Taco Salad

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5 from 2 reviews

There are taco salads. And then there is this recipe for corn chip taco salad that has all the great taco salad ingredients and a corn chip crunch!

• Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 one ounce packet taco seasoning mix (or two tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 3 chopped tomatoes (or 2 cups halved/quartered cherry tomatoes)
• 2 peeled and chopped avocados
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 cups corn chips

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Instructions

1. Prepare taco meat with ground beef according to taco seasoning mix directions.  If you are using your own taco seasoning, add it along with a cup of water once the beef is brown and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Combine all remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl, including the chips. The taco flavoring in the meat juices will serve as the “dressing” for the salad.
3. Throw caution to the wind and have seconds.

Notes

• • Taco Seasoning: You can find this in the International Foods section of your supermarket…or in about five minutes you can make your own with this super easy taco seasoning recipe!

• • Corn Chips: We love the regular size Frito chips for this recipe, but any corn chips will work! Do get the regular small ones – the scoop kind are a little big for this salad. But if that’s all you can find, just crunch them up a little before adding them.

• • Avocado: These are notorious for being super hard when you buy them (you can find them in the produce section of your supermarket) so I always try and get mine a few days ahead to give it time to soften up. You can also swap out the avocado for guacamole, either the already prepared kind, or you can make your own – here’s my favorite guacamole recipe!