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Crunchy Mexican Taco Salad

Seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, beans, corn, and tortilla strips make a colorful taco salad with a quick lime dressing.

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Crunchy Mexican Taco Salad plated Mexican meal

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Crunchy Mexican Taco Salad

Yield4
Prep15 min
Cook12 min
Total27 min

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Ingredients

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Method

4 steps

  1. 1

    Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high. Brown 1 lb lean ground beef, breaking it up, 5–7 minutes until no pink remains and you get some browned bits. Stir in 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt; cook 1 minute until the meat smells taco-shop spicy. Drain excess fat if the pan's greasy.

  2. 2

    Whisk ¼ cup lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt into a bright dressing — taste; it should be tangy-sweet, not oily.

  3. 3

    In a big bowl, pile 8 cups chopped romaine, 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans, 1 cup corn, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend, and the warm seasoned beef.

  4. 4

    Drizzle with dressing, toss lightly so the lettuce still has crunch, and finish with ½ cup tortilla strips. You want a crunchy Mexican taco salad with warm spiced beef and zippy lime dressing — not wilted lettuce soup or bland undressed greens.

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