Dorito Taco Salad
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Posted: 05/24/25
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The perfect salad for a potluck or party! This Dorito Taco Salad is always a hit anywhere I bring it and we’ve been serving it my entire life. It’s loaded with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and Nacho Cheese Doritos for the perfect crunch!
It’s not summer until you make a Dorito Taco Salad! It’s the ultimate summer salad recipe perfect for parties and backyard cookouts or you can easily eat this as your lunch or dinner. A salad with chips? Sign me up!
This Dorito taco salad recipe is originally my Mom’s so we know it’s delicious. Plus, whenever I bring it somewhere it’s always one of the first salads gone! It’s loaded with ground hamburger, shredded cheddar cheese, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, Catalina dressing and of course the Nacho Cheese Doritos!
If you try this and love it, you need to try our Dorito casserole, too!
why you’ll love this recipe
- Anyone can make this Taco Salad recipe because it’s so easy!
- This is the perfect salad to bring to a pot luck, maybe every pot luck.
- This salad is packed with so much flavor in every single bite!
So easy to make and everyone loves it!!
Ingredients for Taco Salad
- Iceberg lettuce – There is just something about a classic, crisp iceberg lettuce. You could also use Romaine or mixed greens if you prefer.
- Catalina dressing – This salad dressing can be subbed for Ranch or French Dressings.
- Tomatoes – We love Roma tomatoes but you can dice any variety. Grape or cherry tomatoes are so easy to slice in half and toss into the bowl, too.
- Onion – Diced red onion adds so much flavor to this salad!
- Cheddar – Shredded cheddar is a favorite in our house and the kids love to help with the shredding!
- Taco seasoning – Use your favorite store-bought package or try making homemade.
- Hamburger – Easily substituted for ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Nacho Cheese Doritos – Mix it up by using Cool Ranch Doritos or Taco flavored Doritos!
Variations
You can really make Doritos taco salad however you’d like with the ingredients in your pantry. If you’d rather use ground chicken or ground turkey instead of beef either is a great substitution.
Other great additions are drained black beans or kidney beans, corn, pico de gallo, guacamole, green onions, black olives, diced bell peppers and more!
They are always coming out with new Dorito flavors so switch out Nacho Cheese for Taco, Spicy Doritos, Cool Ranch or whatever you’d like.
How to Make a taco salad with doritos
- Brown the hamburger in a large skillet, then drain off the grease. Add taco seasoning and water, according to packet instructions.
- Mix beef together with lettuce, tomatoes, onion and cheddar cheese in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When it is time to serve, mix in the Doritos and top with dressing!
How to Store Leftovers
Cover and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
If you are not going to enjoy this all at one time simply take out the amount you’d like, top with chips and dressing then store the rest of the salad in an airtight container in the fridge.
Double up the batch to feed a crowd and you are all set. This flavor packed salad is bound to be a hit at every potluck and cookout this season!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Dorito Taco Salad Recipe
This is always a hit at any party or backyard party. It's loaded with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and Nacho Cheese Doritos for the perfect crunch!
Video
Ingredients
- 1 head Iceberg Lettuce shredded
- 1 bottle Catalina dressing 16 ounces
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 onion chopped, if desired
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 ½ pounds hamburger browned and grease drained off
- 1 packet taco seasoning 3 Tablespoons if using homemade
- 15.5 ounces bag Nacho Cheese Doritos crushed
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown hamburger and drain off grease. Add packet of taco seasoning and finish cooking according to packet's directions.
- In a large bowl, mix the browned hamburger together with lettuce, tomatoes, onion and cheddar cheese in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Right before serving toss in dressing and mix in crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Tips
- If you’d like to make this ahead of time, simply layer the salad. First layer is the ground beef, then the tomatoes and onions form layer two. Sprinkle the lettuce on top of that and then the cheese. Leave off the Doritos and dressing until serving time. Toss to combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 615kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 37g (12%), Protein: 23g (46%), Fat: 40g (62%), Saturated Fat: 15g (94%), Cholesterol: 81mg (27%), Sodium: 980mg (43%), Potassium: 404mg (12%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 13g (14%), Vitamin A: 790IU (16%), Vitamin C: 4.8mg (6%), Calcium: 361mg (36%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
how to serve taco salad
Fire up the grill and make this easy BBQ Chicken Marinade for amazing grilled chicken. Another great opion alongside Dorito taco salad is Instant Pot Crack Chicken.
Of course, you will need a great beverage batched up for your get togeher and a batch of Margaritas is perfectly refreshing!
More great recipes for your next cookout
- Every cookout needs a classic Macaroni Salad and we’ve got a super simple one to put together.
- If you are looking for a new dessert to try, this Strawberry Pie is sure to hit it out of the park!
- Homemade Jalapeño Poppers are the best appetizer to keep everyone happy while they are waiting for supper.
- A fun beverage for everyone to enjoy is a classic Arnold Palmer Tea. Make a batch in a pitcher so guests can self serve.
Gretchen says
Love this salad… for added punch and more protein I add taco seasoning to my meat and a can of ranch style beans to the salad.
Julie says
That sounds like a great addition! So glad you loved it!
Sarah Enos says
Would this serve a group of 15 people or should I double it? Thanks?
Julie says
It makes a pretty decent sized salad but if this is going to be the only side for the meal for 15, I would maybe double it.
Rebecca Driskill says
We LOVE this taco salad! I used taco seasoning, and added canned black beans and corn.
Julie Evink says
Great additions Rebecca! Thanks for coming back to comment and rate the recipe!
Gerald says
I have not tried this yet, but I would never put oinons in it because that is all you will taste
Gloria says
Love the amount slider will certainly try this salad.
Julie Evink says
It’s a handy little button, unfortunately overlooked quite frequently 🙂 Enjoy!
Jessica says
You don’t use taco seasoning??
Julie Evink says
I don’t, but you surely could!
Sandy says
I like it lots better with taco seasoning!
Julie says
That would definitely spice it up! Sounds delicious!
Carol says
I don’t c any measurements like cups etc. help please
Julie Evink says
Scroll down further to the recipe card and it’s all listed there. Please let me know if that’s not showing up for you?
carol aiken says
substitute salsa sauce for dressing and also serve with sour cream
Julie Evink says
A great option to change things up Carol!
Karen says
Nummy
Julie Evink says
So good!
Rhonda Todd says
I make this but don’t use hamburger instead, I use 2 cans pinto beans drained as well as 2 cans of whole kernel corn drained. I mix the beans, corn, onions, and Catalina dressing and marinate overnight. When ready to serve I add the lettuce, tomato, and toss. Chips are added immediately prior to serving. This makes a big salad good for picnics and potlucks.
Julie Evink says
Great way to mix it up!
Rebecca says
We used the beans and taco seasoning, as well, and Thousand Island instead of the Catalina. I like the idea of making the salad into individual portions, and adding the meat and dressing at each lunch time. It’s a meal I could gladly eat every day!
Julie Evink says
Great additions!
Laverne says
Ah, Julie – I made half a recipe for myself and ate the whole thing!! So easy, so quick, so GOOD!! Perfect for a single…. Thanks, Laverne Smith xoxo
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it!! I LOVE this salad!
arlene anaraki says
Sorry, I meant, “…can or red kidney beans.”
arlene anaraki says
I use this exact recipe except with a taco seasoning packet with the ground beef and please try it with a drained canned of red kidney beans. I have sometimes added avocado and/or sliced black olives.
I always make a full recipe. The lettuce and Doritos do get soggy after a day but I just add a little more Catalina dressing and eat it happily for a few days.
Back in the 70’s there were only the Taco flavored Doritos but any flavor is good with this salad–I’ve even used plain chips. Everyone loves this salad!
Julie Evink says
I’ll have to give that a whirl! I also add more Catalina to leftovers 😉 I never knew there were only Taco flavored Doritos in the 70’s! Those are still some of my faves!
lisa weyers says
Taco Doritos are back in some stores. And if you can find Dorothy Lynch dressing, OH AMAZING!! Black beans are also a great add.
Julie Evink says
Oooo I’ve never tried it with that dressing I need too!
Laverne says
I made half the recipe and the two of us loved every single bite. Thanks for a great recipe!!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my faves!