Retro Doritos Taco Salad

If you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner that’s guaranteed to disappear fast, this Retro Doritos Taco Salad is always a hit. Crisp iceberg lettuce, seasoned lean ground beef, juicy tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, crunchy Nacho Cheese Doritos, and tangy Catalina dressing come together for the perfect balance of fresh, savory, and crunchy.

This is one of those nostalgic recipes that has shown up at family dinners, potlucks, and summer cookouts for decades—and for good reason. It comes together in about 20 minutes, uses simple ingredients, and is easy to customize with your favorite taco toppings. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or bringing a dish to share, this colorful salad is always a crowd-pleaser.

It comes together in about 20 minutes, uses simple ingredients, and is easy to customize with your favorite taco toppings.

Save

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Perfect for potlucks and cookouts
• Family-friendly and kid-approved
• Packed with crunchy, cheesy flavor
• Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
• Great for meal prep (keep the dressing and chips separate until serving)

Ingredients

• 1 pound 95% lean ground beef
• 1 (1.25-ounce) packet reduced-sodium taco seasoning
• 1 medium to large head iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 medium to large tomato, diced
• 4 ounces reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces Nacho Cheese Doritos, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup light Catalina dressing or light French dressing

Save

How It Comes Together

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
• Stir in the taco seasoning according to the package directions until the beef is evenly coated.
• Allow the taco meat to cool slightly.
• In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and seasoned beef.
• Just before serving, add the crushed Doritos and pour the dressing over the salad.
• Toss everything together until evenly coated and serve immediately.

Tips for Success

• Let the taco meat cool for a few minutes before adding it to the lettuce to keep the salad crisp.
• Wait until just before serving to add the Doritos so they stay crunchy.
• Toss only what you’ll eat if you’re planning on leftovers.
• Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces for easier serving.
• Refrigerate leftovers without the chips mixed in whenever possible.

Easy Variations

• Add black beans for extra protein and fiber.
• Stir in corn for sweetness and color.
• Top with sliced black olives or jalapeños.
• Add diced avocado just before serving.
• Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef.
• Sprinkle on chopped green onions for extra flavor.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare most of this salad ahead of time. Store everything separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply combine the ingredients, add the dressing and Doritos, toss, and serve.

• Brown and season the beef up to 2 days ahead.
• Wash and chop the lettuce.
• Dice the tomatoes.
• Shred the cheese.

Save

Serving Suggestions

This hearty salad is satisfying on its own but also pairs well with:

• Fresh salsa and tortilla chips
• Guacamole
• Mexican rice
• Refried beans
• Fresh fruit salad
• Cornbread or cheesy garlic bread