How to Make Taco Salads

Serving buffet style makes your preparation work easier, while allowing your guests to have fun making their own meal.

Taco salads are simple to make, yet hearty and healthy. Best of all, taco salads allow everyone to customize their own meal to their liking. Provide a variety of ingredients and toppings, then set up the food buffet style. This recipe serves four, but can be easily increased to accommodate a crowd.

Things You'll Need

• 1 pound of ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 cup of water
• 1 bag of tortilla chips or corn chips, any flavor
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salad greens, any combination of iceberg, romaine or other lettuces
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 can of black olives, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 jar of salsa, any heat you prefer
• 1 pint of sour cream
• Ranch salad dressing

Instructions

1. In a pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey. Drain off any excess grease and return the meat to the pan.

2. Add the taco seasoning packet and the water to the cooked meat. Mix it well and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Place the meat mixture in a serving bowl.

3. Set up the rest of the ingredients buffet style; on a counter or a side table, place the serving bowl of meat next to the tortilla or corn chips. Serve the chips in an open bowl so it's easier for your guests to reach them. Put the shredded cheese in a bowl with a spoon for serving, then have a large bowl of the salad with salad tongs and smaller bowls for the tomato, olives and onions, each with their own serving spoons. At the end have the salsa in an open container with a spoon, the sour cream and the ranch dressing.

4. Allow each person to put together their own taco salad, but provide help to younger children. The order of the ingredients laid out is only one option. Some guests may prefer to make their taco salad beginning first with the lettuces, then pile on the chips, meat, cheese and other toppings.

Tips & Warnings

• For extra kick to your taco salad, consider adding guacamole, drained black beans and lime wedges.