Seven Layer Taco Salad - Salads for Lunch (2024)

originally posted onJune 25, 2024June 25, 2024

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If you’re on the hunt for a Taco Tuesday dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, look no further than the Seven Layer Taco Salad. This crowd-pleaser is a visual and flavorful delight, perfect for impressing guests at your next dinner party or potluck. With layers of seasoned meat, fresh veggies, and creamy toppings, this salad is not just a meal, it’s a celebration on a plate.

Imagine serving up a salad that has all the zest and heartiness of your favorite tacos but with the added benefit of a stunning presentation. This Seven Layer Taco Salad recipe is as easy to assemble as it is delicious, making it a go-to for busy weeknights and festive gatherings alike.

What is Seven Layer Taco Salad?

Seven Layer Taco Salad is a vibrant, layered salad that combines all the classic taco fixings into one beautiful dish. Starting with a base of crisp iceberg lettuce, it’s then topped with seasoned ground beef or turkey, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, salsa, sour cream, avocado, and olives, all finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and crunchy tortilla chips. Each layer adds a different texture and flavor, making every bite a delicious adventure.

What makes this Seven Layer Taco Salad healthy?

While traditional tacos can be loaded with heavy ingredients, this salad version packs in plenty of nutritious components. By using lean ground turkey instead of beef, opting for low-sodium taco seasoning, and incorporating a variety of fresh vegetables and beans, this dish offers a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and vitamins. The addition of avocado provides healthy fats, while the optional customization of ingredients like bell peppers and jalapeños can boost the nutritional value even further.

Why you’ll love this classy Layered Taco Salad with ground beef

This isn’t just any salad – it’s a showstopper. Perfect for entertaining, the Seven Layer Taco Salad brings color, flavor, and a touch of elegance to the table. It’s incredibly versatile and can be easily tailored to fit dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Plus, it’s a make-ahead marvel, allowing you to prepare it in advance so you can enjoy more time with your guests.

RELATED: Homemade Low Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix – Let’s be honest, store-bought taco seasoning mixes are convenient, but they often come with a hefty dose of sodium. So why not take control of your seasoning and make your own blend? With this homemade recipe, you can tailor the flavors to your liking and skip the added salt altogether.

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What tools do you need to make this salad?

To make this delightful dish, you’ll need:

• A large skillet for cooking the meat
• A glass bowl or trifle dish for layering the salad (clear glass bowls work best to show off the layers)
• Basic kitchen utensils like a knife, cutting board, and mixing spoons

Seven Layer Taco Salad ingredients

Here’s your shopping list:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or 2 tbsp of my low sodium taco seasoning)
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup salsa1 cup sour cream
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.

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How to make Layered Taco Salad

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.

1. Add taco seasoning mix and water according to package instructions. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, begin layering the ingredients. Start with a layer of shredded lettuce as the base.
3. Add a layer of the cooked taco meat on top of the lettuce.
4. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the taco meat.

1. Add a layer of cherry tomatoes, followed by a layer of canned corn and black beans.
2. Spoon salsa evenly over the top of the beans.
3. Spread a layer of sour cream over the salsa.
4. Add a layer of diced avocado and sliced black olives.

1. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro on top.

1. Cover the bowl or dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

1. Just before serving, crush some tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the top of the salad for added crunch. Serve chilled, and enjoy!!

Make this Layered Taco Salad recipe, then check out my Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad, my Heart Healthy Mexican Bean Saladand more of my salads for Cinco de Mayo.

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TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Read on for tips and substitution ideas on how to make this recipe, such as how to customize this salad, and how to store this salad.

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This Seven Layer Taco Salad is more than just a meal – it’s a hearty, delicious salad creation that’s sure to be a hit at any dinner party. Easy to make and beautifully presented, it’s a classy addition to your recipe repertoire. So go ahead, layer up, and let the fiesta begin!

Other mexican-inspired recipes to try

• Healthy One Skillet Mexican Rice and Beef Casserole
• Mexican Chicken Salad with Creamy Honey Lime Dressing
• Heart Healthy Mexican Bean Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: A Fiesta in Your Bowl!

Seven Layer Taco Salad Recipe

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot easier! Skip the hassle of stuffing taco shells and make this Layered Taco Salad instead. It's perfect for a low-fuss taco night or for serving a delicious salad to a crowd!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (2 tbsp of low sodium taco seasoning)
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add taco seasoning mix and water according to package instructions. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, begin layering the ingredients. Start with a layer of shredded lettuce as the base.
3. Add a layer of the cooked taco meat on top of the lettuce.
4. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the taco meat.
5. Add a layer of cherry tomatoes, followed by a layer of canned corn and black beans.
6. Spoon salsa evenly over the top of the beans.
7. Spread a layer of sour cream over the salsa.
8. Add a layer of diced avocado and sliced black olives.
9. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro on top.
10. Cover the bowl or dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
11. Just before serving, crush some tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the top of the salad for added crunch. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to customize the ingredients according to your preferences, such as adding diced bell peppers, jalapeños, or red onions for extra flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 418Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 789mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 27g

The provided nutrition information is an estimate and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a commentbelow or snap a pic and hashtag it #Salads4Lunch — I'd love to see all of your tasty creations on Pinterest, Instagram,Facebook, andTwitter!