Fiesta Bucket Salad
This vibrant and hearty fiesta bucket salad is perfect for gatherings of all sizes, whether it’s a sunny picnic, a cozy potluck, or any festive occasion. The unique presentation in a real bucket makes it a fun centerpiece at your table and an instant conversation starter. Featuring crunchy iceberg lettuce, bright tomatoes, and a hint of red onion, this salad is packed with flavors reminiscent of your favorite tacos, sans taco seasoning! It's equally delicious warm or chilled, making it a versatile choice that can serve as the main attraction or a delightful side dish. With small plastic shovels as dippers, your guests will have a blast digging into this crowd-pleaser and will be asking for the recipe long after the last bite!
N/A
Servings
358
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Iceberg Lettuce
2 heads (torn into bite-sized pieces)
Tomatoes
4 (diced)
Red Onion
1 large (chopped)
Low-fat Cheddar Cheese
6 cups (shredded)
Corn Non-fat Tortilla Chips
1 (14.5 ounce) package (broken)
Light Ranch Salad Dressing
2 (12 ounce) jars (light and creamy)
Chunky Salsa
1 (12 ounce) jar (chunky)
Lean Ground Beef
2 lbs (browned and crumbled)
Instructions
1
In a large clean bucket or large bowl, tear the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2
Dice the tomatoes and chop the red onion, adding them to the bucket with the lettuce.
3
Crumble the tortilla chips over the vegetable mixture and sprinkle the shredded low-fat cheddar cheese on top.
4
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the two jars of light ranch salad dressing and the jar of chunky salsa. Stir until well blended.
5
Pour the dressing and salsa mixture over the salad base in the bucket. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated.
6
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef, stirring and breaking it apart as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain the excess grease.
7
Just before serving, mix the cooked ground beef into the salad for a warm and flavorful addition. Serve with small plastic shovels for dipping!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
40g
Carbs
19g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fiesta Bucket Salad?
A Fiesta Bucket Salad is a vibrant and hearty salad featuring taco-style ingredients like iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and lean ground beef, uniquely served in a clean bucket.
What kind of lettuce is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two heads of iceberg lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces.
Can I serve the Fiesta Bucket Salad warm?
Yes, this salad is versatile and can be served either warm or chilled.
What ingredients make up the dressing?
The dressing is a simple mixture of two jars of light ranch salad dressing and one jar of chunky salsa.
Is there taco seasoning in this recipe?
No, this recipe provides taco-inspired flavors without the use of traditional taco seasoning.
How many tomatoes are needed?
The recipe calls for four diced tomatoes.
What type of cheese is recommended?
Six cups of shredded low-fat cheddar cheese are used in this salad.
What kind of meat is included?
The recipe includes two pounds of lean ground beef, which should be browned and crumbled.
What is the unique way to serve this salad?
It is served in a real, clean bucket with small plastic shovels used as dippers or servers.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 358 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of the Fiesta Bucket Salad?
The salad contains 15 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains about 40 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does it provide?
This salad provides 19 grams of protein per serving.
What type of chips should I use?
The recipe suggests using one 14.5-ounce package of corn non-fat tortilla chips.
How many ingredients are in the Fiesta Bucket Salad?
There are a total of 8 ingredients required for this recipe.
When should I add the ground beef to the salad?
You should mix the cooked ground beef into the salad just before serving.
Is this salad suitable for large groups?
Yes, it is specifically described as a crowd-pleaser perfect for potlucks, picnics, and festive occasions.
Can I use a regular bowl if I don't have a bucket?
Yes, while a bucket is used for presentation, a large mixing bowl works just as well.
How do I prepare the tortilla chips?
The tortilla chips should be crumbled or broken over the vegetable mixture.
What kind of onion is best for this salad?
The recipe calls for one large red onion, chopped.
Should I drain the beef after cooking?
Yes, once the lean ground beef is fully cooked and browned, you should drain the excess grease.
Can this be a main course?
Yes, the salad is hearty enough to be the main attraction or can be served as a side dish.
How do I mix the dressing and salsa?
Combine the two jars of ranch and one jar of salsa in a separate mixing bowl and stir until well blended before pouring over the salad.
Is the salsa spicy?
The recipe calls for chunky salsa; you can choose mild, medium, or hot based on your preference.
Is there any fiber in this salad?
The nutritional data for fiber is not specified in this particular recipe.
Is the dressing light or regular?
The recipe specifically recommends using light ranch salad dressing.
How many jars of ranch dressing are needed?
You will need two 12-ounce jars of light ranch salad dressing.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, taco-flavored, potluck, picnic, crowd-pleaser, easy recipe, main course, side dish, bucket salad, and fiesta.
How do I combine the final ingredients?
Gently toss the lettuce, vegetables, and chips with the dressing-salsa mixture until everything is evenly coated.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
While the recipe specifies lean ground beef, you can substitute with ground turkey for a different protein option.