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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Salads » Beef Taco Salad with Avocado Cilantro-Lime Dressing

    Beef Taco Salad with Avocado Cilantro-Lime Dressing

    September 14, 2016 by Sharon Rigsby, Updated November 28, 2020 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Beef Taco Salad with Avocado Cilantro-Lime Dressing

    Beef Taco Salad with Avocado Cilantro-Lime Dressing is a flavorful main-dish salad that your entire family will love. It’s also quick and easy to make. 

    A large taco salad in a bowl on a brightly striped Mexican towel.

    This delicious and easy taco salad with meat has all of the elements of a perfect taco salad. Delicious taco meat seasoned with just the right amount of spices, yummy black beans and corn, creamy avocado, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips!  

    And the dressing; well, it’s is what sets this taco salad apart from all the rest. It’s so good; I put the leftovers on everything, baked potatoes, eggs, roasted veggies, french fries, burgers, you name it.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    It only takes about 20 minutes to get this tasty and easy taco salad on the table, so it’s perfect for a weeknight meal.  Your small and big kids will love it, and you will be in and out of the kitchen in no time.

    This simple ground beef taco salad is also perfect for company because you can make everything ahead so you can spend time with your guests instead of standing over a hot stove.  

    A bowl of vegetables next to a large taco salad and a pitcher of avocado dressing.

    What’s in the taco seasoning and how to make it:

    You will need chili powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

    To make it, combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Cover and set aside.

    What’s in the dressing and how to make it:

    You will need an avocado, Crema (you can substitute sour cream or plain greek yogurt), cilantro, garlic, salt, and fresh lime juice.

    Add all ingredients to a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add a little more water if you desire a thinner dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 

    Sour cream, avocado, and cilantro in the bowl of a food processor.

    What’s in the taco salad and how to make it:

    You will need ground chuck, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, shredded Mexican cheese blend, tortilla chips, corn, and black beans. 

    Add the beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook for about five minutes or until the meat is no longer pink. Stir frequently.

    Ground beef browning in a skillet on the stove.

    Add the taco seasoning mix and one-third cup of water and mix well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about five minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat and set aside.

    To assemble the salad, add the lettuce to a large bowl or platter. Then add the beef, shredded cheese, tomatoes, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and tortilla chips.

    Top with the dressing and serve immediately. 

    Optional garnishes include pico de gallo or salsa if desired. 

    Sharon’s Tips:

    This dish is versatile, you can easily swap out the ground beef for chicken or turkey, or you can make it vegetarian by leaving out the meat. It will still be delicious.

    You can save a few minutes by using prepackaged taco seasoning, but by using your spices, you control the amount of sugar, salt, and preservatives in the dish, and that makes it even healthier! Special thanks to Anna Jones RD for sharing her recipe for the taco seasoning recipe with me.

    Do not make the dressing too far ahead; the avocado might cause it to discolor. 

    Related recipes:

    If you like ground beef recipes, you might also enjoy these popular dishes:

    • Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
    • Beef and Tomato Skillet with Polenta
    • Cast Iron Skillet Macho Nachos
    • One-Pot Lasagna Soup
    • Quick and Easy Hanky Pankies

    ★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

     

    Taco salad in a large bowl next to a pitcher of avocado dressing.
    Print Pin
    4.8 from 5 votes

    Beef Taco Salad with Avocado Cilantro-Lime Dressing

    This beef taco salad is both delicious and healthy! It's also quick and easy to make and features a yummy avocado cilantro-lime dressing that your family will love.
    Course Main Dish, Salad
    Cuisine Mexican/Southwestern
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 438kcal
    Author Sharon Rigsby

    Ingredients

    Taco Salad Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground chuck
    • 4 cups romaine lettuce
    • 2 large tomatoes diced
    • 1 ripe Haas avocado seeded and chopped
    • 1 cup frozen corn
    • 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup Mexican shredded cheese blend
    • 2 cups tortilla chips broken up

    Taco Seasoning Ingredients

    • 2 tsp chili powder
    • 1-1/2 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp cumin
    • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
    • 1/4 tsp pepper
    • pinch red pepper flakes
    • 1/3 cup water

    Avocado Cilantro-Lime Dressing

    • 1 avocado seeded and chopped
    • 1/2 cup Crema (Mexican Cream) or sour cream or plain greek yogurt
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice

    Instructions

    Taco Seasoning

    • Combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Cover and set aside.

    Avocado Lime Dressing

    • Add all ingredients to a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add a little more water if you desire a thinner dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

    Taco Meat

    • Add the beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes until the meat is no longer pink. Stir frequently.
    • Add the taco seasoning mix and 1/3 cup of water and mix well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 4-5 minutes or until the liquiid has evaporated. Remove from the heat and set aside.

    Assembly

    • To assemble the salad, add the lettuce to a large bowl or platter. Then add the beef, shredded cheese, tomatoes, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado. Top with tortilla chips and the Avocado Lime Dressing. If desired serve with pico de gallo or salsa. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    This dish is versatile, you can easily swap out the ground beef for chicken or turkey, or you can make it vegetarian by leaving out the meat. It will still be delicious.
    You can save a few minutes by using prepackaged taco seasoning, but by using your spices, you control the amount of sugar, salt, and preservatives in the dish, and that makes it even healthier! Special thanks to Anna Jones RD for sharing her recipe for the taco seasoning recipe with me.
    Do not make the dressing too far ahead; the avocado might cause it to discolor. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3950IU | Vitamin C: 40.4mg | Calcium: 300mg | Iron: 3.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below and/or give this recipe a rating. On Instagram? Take a picture and tag @gritsandpinecones or #gritsandpinecones!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Velva

      September 14, 2016 at 8:09 pm

      This is a beautiful taco salad. The avocado lime dressing rocks!
      Carolyn Haley mentioned that you were a fellow local blogger. Love your blog.
      Consider me your new follower.

      Velva- Tomatoes on the Vine

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        September 14, 2016 at 8:37 pm

        Hey Velva, nice to meet you! And, thanks so much for following along on my blog. I’m looking forward to meeting you at our cooking class in November! Sharon

        Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

    Most popular recipes:

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