Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired seven-layer taco salad delivers a fiesta of flavors in one delightful dish. Crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, and zesty toppings create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Layer:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 0.5 cup water
Fresh Vegetable and Bean Layer:
- 1 head romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 0.25 cup green onions, chopped
- 0.5 cup sliced black olives
Topping and Garnish Layer:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Guacamole Layer:
- 2 ripe avocados, mashed
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
Sour Cream Layer:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.25 teaspoon cumin
Garnish:
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a skillet to medium temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef, carefully draining any excess fat to ensure a lean mixture.
- Infuse the beef with robust taco seasoning and a splash of water, simmering for approximately 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat uniformly.
- Select a transparent trifle dish or large serving bowl to create a visually appealing layered presentation, starting with a crisp, chopped lettuce foundation.
- Gently cascade the seasoned beef over the lettuce, creating an even, hearty second layer.
- Distribute black beans across the beef layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Scatter vibrant corn kernels over the black beans to introduce a sweet, textural element.
- Craft a zesty guacamole by blending ripe avocados with tangy lime juice, a hint of salt, and aromatic garlic powder, then delicately spread across the corn layer.
- Whisk sour cream with warming chili powder and earthy cumin, creating a spiced cream to layer atop the guacamole.
- Generously shower shredded cheddar cheese over the sour cream, allowing it to create a melty, inviting surface.
- Artfully arrange cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chopped green onions for color and additional flavor complexity.
- Crush tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the top to introduce a satisfying crunch.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh cilantro and serving with bright lime wedges for an optional citrusy squeeze.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
- Create a low-carb option by replacing tortilla chips with crispy pork rinds or sliced bell peppers for added crunch without extra carbohydrates.
- Prepare layers in advance and assemble just before serving to prevent lettuce from becoming soggy and maintain fresh, crisp textures.
- Control spice levels by selecting mild or hot taco seasoning, and adjust chili powder quantity to suit individual heat preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg