100% Homemade Taco Salad Bowls
I remember eating taco salad at many picnics and potlucks growing up in the midwest. Everyone made them a little different from thinner on a sheet pan to deeply Layered Beef Taco Salad to Loaded Beef Taco Salad served in a big bowl. These beef taco salads are served in homemade taco bowls which adds to the fun and flair and are a cinch to make. What I love most about taco salad — apart from it being full of Mexican-inspired flavors, easy, and hearty — is that the sky is the limit with all the various ingredient options and variations you can incorporate. Flexible recipes are what it’s all about! More ideas below for how to customize your taco salad.
Ingredients in Beef Taco Salad Bowls
Although the ingredient list may look a bit long, there are three components to beef taco salad and I broke the list down accordingly. Everything is easy to find in your local market. You’ll need the following: Taco Bowls
Tortillas – Medium to large is best if you want a nicely sized tortilla bowl. Vegetable or canola oil – Although you can use almost any oil you prefer. Oven safe bowls
Lime Cilantro Dressing
Food processor or blender. Cilantro Sour cream – Can use reduced fat or Greek yogurt. Olive oil – If you like a thicker dressing, you can use mayonnaise. Garlic – Fresh or preminced. Coriander Salt and pepper Jalapeno Lime juice
Taco Salad
Ground beef – You can use ground turkey, ground, cubed, or shredded chicken, sausage, pork, or any meat you like. Taco Seasoning – I used a whole package or you can make a homemade blend. Use mild, medium or hot based on your preferences Lettuce – I used Romaine, but iceberg lettuce or another favorite is fine Tomatoes – Any type or variety from Roma to cherry. Jalapenos – Optional. Corn – Fresh, frozen or canned. Black beans – Canned or make your own. Avocado – Guacamole is also great. Limes – Optional. Black olives – Optional. Salsa – Any kind including red, green, mild to spicy. Onion – Red or white, optional Cheese – I used a Mexican blend, but any is fine. Chips – Fritos, Doritos, Tortilla chips, or your favorite.
How to Make Taco Bowls with Tortillas
As a disclaimer, you don’t need to make homemade tortillas bowls. You can use store bought, mix up the salad in a big bowl, or plate the taco salad individually. However, if you are going to make tortilla bowls, it’s a fast and easy process!
How to Make Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing
While the taco bowls are baking, make the zesty yet creamy lime cilantro dressing by adding all the ingredient to the canister of a food processor or high-speed blender and process until smooth. It doesn’t get any easier than that to make homemade lime cilantro dressing in practically one minute! Place this in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Tip: As an alternative to making your own lime cilantro dressing, feel free to use Ranch, a lighter vinaigrette, or simply mix salsa with some sour cream.
How to Make Taco Salad Bowls
You’ve prepped the taco bowl shells and the cilantro-lime dressing — now you’re on the home stretch!
Can the Ground Beef Be Substituted?
Yes! As an alternative to ground beef, you can change up the meat and use preseasoned chicken fajita or beef fajita meat. Or try ground, cubed, sliced, or shredded chicken or turkey. Sausage and ground pork are also great options.
Can I Use Different Salad Toppings?
Of course! Feel free to mix and match the taco salad fixings to suite your tastes.
Storage Instructions
Being that there are lots of ingredients involved in these taco bowl salads, many of which are optional, but you’re bound to have leftovers. Store most everything in the airtight containers in the fridge, and store them separately when possible for best results. The homemade taco bowls can be stored airtight at room temp for up to 1 week.
What Kind Of Bowls Should I Bake the Tortillas In?
Definitely make sure it’s an oven-safe bowl. I love these mini Le Creuset bowls. (You can also use them to make Creme Brulee or Chocolate Pots de Creme!) French onion soup bowls tend to be oven-safe. Additionally, something a bit more all-purpose like a ceramic bowl is another option.
Recipe Variations for Taco Salad Bowls
Aside from the various protein alternatives to ground beef I mentioned such as chicken, turkey, sausage, or pork, there are tons of other ways to customize and personalize these taco salad bowls.
Whether it’s black beans, olives, jalapeño, or another ingredient that may not be popular with the whole family, feel free to simply omit things as desired. Pickled red onions, radishes, jicama, shredded carrots, cucumbers, celery, or most fresh and crunchy vegetables work perfectly in taco salad. Rather than using taco bowls made from tortillas, if you’re plating the taco salad or serving it from a large serving bowl, you can add chips on top like Fritos, Doritos, or corn tortilla chips. The crunch factor shouldn’t be missed!
Favorite Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Loaded Beef Taco Salad – Crisp romaine lettuce, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and more! It comes together in just 20 minutes and is topped with the most incredible cilantro lime dressing. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Layered Beef Taco Salad – A classic taco salad that everyone LOVES, it’s EASY, and it’s ready in 20 minutes!! There’s ground beef, refried beans, red peppers, tortilla chips, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes!! Cheesy Beef Taco Dip – EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and tastes like an awesome beef taco that’s extra CHEESY in dip form and so good!! The Bakeable Tortilla Bowls are so fun! PERFECT for game day parties and get-togethers!! Loaded Chicken Taco Salad — Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! All your favorite taco flavors in one big kickin’ salad that everyone will love!! Layered Loaded Chicken Taco Salad – Juicy chicken, avocado, tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips, and more in this LOADED salad that’s EASY and ready in 15 minutes!! A creamy lime-cilantro dressing adds tons of FLAVOR!! Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowls — These chicken burrito bowls are ready in 15 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch! Plus, they’re easily customizable. Chicken Tortilla Lettuce Wraps – Filled with Mexican flavors, there’s taco-seasoned chicken, tomatoes, corn, peppers, cilantro, and cheese! Easy, healthy, ready in 10 minutes, and a family favorite! Lime Cilantro Chicken with Mixed Rice and Black Beans – Easy, one skillet, 15-minute meal! Tons of textures and bold flavors in every bite! The lime makes this dish just pop! Al Pastor Tacos — Juicy, flavorful, tender pork served in tortillas with onions, cilantro, lime juice, and salsa! You’ll want every night to be taco night!
