Loaded Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch Dressing

This Loaded Taco Salad is loaded with goodness in every bite and topped with the most addictive and easy Salsa Ranch Dressing!

I absolutely love a good salad! One that’s loaded with goodness every bite. One that’s so good that you eat every last bite. I’ve been on a bit of a salad kick lately experimenting with some new variations and revisiting some of my long time favorites. This Loaded Taco Salad is a spin on a taco salad Mr. Mother Thyme used to make me when we first started dating. I’ll never forget the first time he made his version for me, I was hooked! I craved it constantly. It was so good! Throughout the years we’d make this salad and it always reminded me of our dating years.

Even all these years later I still absolutely love this Loaded Taco Salad. It’s one of those salad that never gets old. And when it comes to salads I’m a true believer in presentation. Whether I’m tossing a big salad in a large wooden salad bowl of making individual salads I always like making them pretty. For my Loaded Taco Salad I usually make these as individual salads so everyone gets the right ratio of goodness in every bite however you can totally toss everything in a bowl if you prefer. I like to put a nice handful of chopped romaine lettuce in the bottom of salad bowl and all the yumminess on top.

This salad is loaded with a ton of goodness, hence the name Loaded Taco Salad. I like to use ground turkey for my taco meat however you can use ground beef or even ground chicken. Along with the ground meat I like to top it with sliced grape tomatoes, red onions, corn, black beans, avocado, green onion, cilantro, shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Just thinking about this salad makes my mouth water!

Just when you think this salad couldn’t get any better it’s topped with the most addictive 2 ingredient Salsa Ranch Dressing made with you guessed it Salsa and Ranch dressing. It’s so good!

If you’re bored with the same old same old salad, looking to spice up taco night or both this Loaded Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch Dressing is one recipe you want to put on the menu!

You can also find this recipe on my Weekly Meal Plan on The 29 Minute Mom!

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Loaded Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch Dressing

  • Author: Jenn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 -6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground meat (lean ground beef, turkey or chicken)
  • 1 1 ounce packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 head of romaine lettuce (cleaned and chopped)
  • 1/2 pint grape tomatoes (cut in half)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 2 cups tortilla chips (crushed)
  • Additional add-ins:
  • 1/2 cup black olives (cut in half)
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1/2 cup black beans (drained)
  • 1/2 red onion (sliced)
  • 2 avocados (peeled and sliced)
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • Salsa-Ranch Dressing
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup mild salsa

Instructions

  1. Cook meat in a large skillet over medium heat until thoroughly cooked.
  2. Stir in taco seasoning and water and cook for a few minutes longer.
  3. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. To assemble salad place lettuce in a large bowl.
  5. Add in meat mixture, tomatoes, cheese and additional optional add ins and toss until combined.
  6. Before serving toss salad with desired amount of dressing and top with crushed tortilla chips.
  7. Salsa Ranch Dressing
  8. Mix salsa and ranch in a small bowl or mason jar until combined.
  9. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use

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