Aunt Sue’s Taco Salad
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This taco salad is famous in our family. It’s easy to make and full of yummy veggies, beans, beef and cheese, crushed Doritos are mixed in and then it’s topped with a tangy Italian dressing.
If my sister-in-law Sue asks “What should I bring?” 95% of the time she gets a resounding TACO SALAD!
This salad is legendary among my kids, her kids … pretty much everyone.
It’s perfect to take to a gathering, whether it be a cookout, a tailgate, or a large family event. It always disappears quickly, and it feeds a crowd!
Last week, we spent time with Sue and her husband at their new lake home. Long story … but our vacation we had planned got completely messed up at the last minute. Our kids were packed and ready to go, and it’s safe to say I was in tears and feeling like I had no options. (It’s hard to book a week’s vacation at a lake the day before ) Sue and Jake graciously offered up their home to the 7 of us. They dropped what they were doing for the week and joined us. We had a GREAT time with them! Sue and I made dinner every night, and of course, when it was “Hamburger Night” and she asked what we were having with it, suggested her taco salad, my kids boomed “YES!!!”
This is one of those recipes that doesn’t have a recipe. Know what I mean? It’s pretty much one she can make with her eyes closed, and it’s based on how it tastes. I stood over her, and measured as she prepared it, and new I have the recipe! (AND NOW you will, too!)
Do you love Doritos like we do? Here are a couple of other recipes that call for Doritos that we love:
Chicken & Doritos Casserole, Mom’s Taco Casserole, Slow Cooker Dorito Taco Casserole and even Spicy Nacho Flavored Doritos Popcorn!
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Aunt Sue's Taco Salad
This taco salad is famous in our family. It's easy to make and full of yummy veggies, beans, beef and cheese, crushed Doritos are mixed in and then it's topped with a tangy Italian dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of iceberg lettuce, ripped into bite sized pieces (can sub Romaine)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1-1.5 pounds lean ground beef, browned and drained
- 1-2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 can (15 ounce) dark red kidney beans, drained
- 1/2 of 1 (12 ounce) bag Nacho Cheese Doritos , crushed
- 1/2-3/4 cup Wishbone Italian Dressing
Instructions
Brown ground beef with salt and pepper in a skillet, and drain off any excess fat. Set aside.
Rip lettuce into a large bowl. Add tomatoes, kidney beans, beef and cheese. Toss.
Right before you are ready to serve, add cheese and dressing. (start with a 1/2 cup add more if needed) Toss.
Mix in crushed Doritos, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 829Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 207mgSodium: 1078mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 68g
Nutrition isn't always accurate.
I’d forgotten all about this. I grew up with my mom making it. She will have been gone 24 yrs on ?Wednesday and has been on my mind. Seems like she has sent me a msg! Thanks for the recipe reminder. I remember Fritos instead and since Doritos have MSG I’ll switch to those! Thank you!
Sounds perfect! Happy it brought back fond memories for you. ❤️
When do you add the ground beef?
Add it when you do the beans. 🙂
Yum!! We eat Mexican pretty much every week. I’m definitely up for trying this one!
My Aunt Kathy used to make this identical recipe clear down to the orange Wishbone French dressing in the early 70s..and I still make it. I don’t think amyone can really claim it as their own
I know this. 🙂 In our family it’s called “Aunt Sue’s Taco Salad” — so that’s why I named it as such.
Is this a keto friendly recipe???
Kim – I have never followed a Keto diet, so I am no expert. I would say from what I know that most of it would be? I am sure the Doritos are not though.
This is the one I’ve been looking for. I think my mother used onions also in the hamburger, but I will follow this and see if it tastes the same. So glad you shared Aunt Sue’s Taco Salad. I plan to take it to a church social today and was desperate to remember exactly how it was made. I even had taco mix to add to the hamburger, but will not because I want to taste like my Mother made it. Thank you.
Diane – that you for writing to me! I am hopeful that this turned out as you remembered it!! I love this one!