Taco Salad Recipes

Intense flavors, colors and spice...this is what Mexican food is all about. And Mexican food is not only appreciated by the Mexicans but by people all over the world. Enchiladas, tortillas, nachos and tacos...all popular in America, Europe and the world over. But as with everything else, there are variations to food. It's not just tacos that people want, but a taco salad.

Here are some taco salad recipes that everyone can enjoy making and eating:

Easy and Simple Taco Salad
Here is a taco salad that is so simple it can be made in ten minutes.
Ingredients:

• Chili beans, undrained - 2 cans of 16 ounces each.
• Corn chips - 1 packet of 10 ounces.
• Cheddar cheese, grated - 2 cups.
• Lettuce, chopped - 4 cups.
• Tomatoes, chopped - 2 small.
• Onion, chopped - 1 small.
• Olives, ripe and sliced - 1 can of 2 ½ ounces.
• Salsa - 1 ¼ cup.
• Sour Cream - ½ cup.

Preparation:

• In a skillet, heat the chili beans.
• Next take a large platter and place the corn chips on it. Top with beans, cheese, onion, olives, salsa, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes.

Chicken Taco Salad
Ingredients:

• Chicken, canned - 1 can of 10 ounces. You can also use home-cooked chicken that has been boiled and shredded to make 1 cup.
• Salsa - ½ cup.
• Catalina dressing - 1/3 cup.
• Tortilla chips - 3 cups.
• Kidney beans, drained and rinsed - 1 can of 15 ounces.
• Green pepper, chopped - ½ cup.
• Tomato, chopped - ½ cup.
• Guacamole - as dip. Can be prepared or canned.
• Cheddar cheese, grated - 4 ounces.
• Lettuce leaves - 1 bunch.

Preparation:

• In a mixing bowl, add the chicken shreds, salsa and the Catalina dressing.
• Take salad plates and line with lettuce leaves.
• Arrange chips, kidney beans, the chicken - dressing mixture, green pepper, and guacamole on each.
• Garnish with cheese.

Low-Fat Taco Salad
This is an interesting salad for those who are trying to keep off the bulge.
Ingredients:

• Chicken or turkey, ground - 1 pound.
• Bulgur wheat, cooked and cooled - 1 cup.
• Lettuce, shredded - 1 head.
• Yellow onion, diced - 1 medium-sized.
• Garlic, minced - 2 cloves.
• Low-fat refried beans - 1 can of 16 ounces.
• Black beans, drained - 1 small can.
• Tomato, chopped - 1 large.
• Low-fat cheddar cheese, grated - 1 cup.
• Salsa - as per taste.
• Baked corn tortilla chips.

Preparation:

• Boil the chicken or turkey in water, drain and keep aside.
• In a skillet or pan, sauté the onions and garlic with no-stick spray (or olive oil). Add the chicken and bulgur wheat and mix well. Next add the seasoning and water and allow it to cook till the mixture is thick.
• In another bowl, heat the refried bean.
• Now take a flat-bottomed dish and layer with meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, beans and cheese.
• Chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
• Serve with chips or serve in taco shells.

Party Taco Salad
Here is an easy to make salad that is great for parties and last minute guests.
Ingredients:

• Beef, ground - 2 pounds.
• Taco seasoning mix - 2 packets.
• Cheddar cheese, shredded - 16 ounces.
• Red onion, chopped - 1.
• Yellow onion, chopped - 1.
• Iceberg lettuce, chopped - 2 heads.
• Tomatoes, chopped - 4.
• Avocados, chopped - 2.
• Green pepper, chopped - 2.
• Black olives, chopped - 1 can.
• Doritos nacho chips, crumbled - 1 large bag.
• Catalina salad dressing - 1 bottle of 8 ounces.

Preparation:

• In a skillet, sauté the ground beef and yellow onion. To this add the taco seasoning and water. Let it cool.
• In a large bowl add the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, avocado, olives, taco seasoning and cheese. Mix well and then add the beef mixture.
• Add the dressing just before serving and add the crumbled Doritos.
• Garnish with some extra cheese and olives.