Ground Beef Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch

Beef taco salad topped with cheese, tomatoes, sliced avocado, and mushrooms in a bowl with a jar of salsa ranch dressing on the side.

5 from 3 votes

Ground Beef Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch

Looking for a fun twist on taco night? Try this easy taco salad with ground beef, fresh toppings, and creamy salsa ranch dressing. Whip up this ground beef taco salad in 20 minutes—it’s a weeknight winner!

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Servings:

Calories: 347kcal

Author: Angela Lietzke

Equipment

Skillet
salad dressing shaker

Ingredients

2 Tablespoon olive oil divided
1 pound lean ground beef
2 Tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
1 onion thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
lettuce romaine or iceberg
Optional toppings: avocados, tomatoes, cheese, beans, etc.

Salsa Ranch Dressing

1 Ranch seasoning packet
⅔ cup mayonnaise or sour cream
⅔ cup milk
⅓ cup salsa
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
2 Tablespoons lime juice

Instructions

Start by making the salsa ranch dressing. In a small bowl or shaker jar, combine all dressing ingredients and mix until smooth and well blended. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground beef and taco seasoning, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onions and peppers for about 5 minutes, or until softened and slightly charred. Tip: To save on dishes, you can also cook the veggies in the same skillet after the beef is done—just remove the beef and set it aside before adding the onions and peppers.
To assemble the taco salad, fill individual bowls with lettuce, then top with the seasoned beef, sautéed veggies, and your favorite toppings. Finish with a drizzle of creamy salsa ranch dressing.

Notes

Hosting a casual dinner? Set up a taco salad bar with a variety of toppings in individual bowls so everyone can build their own salad just the way they like it!
Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per one pound of ground beef.

Nutrition