Ultimate Layered Taco Fiesta Salad
Elevate your salad game with this Ultimate Layered Taco Fiesta Salad! This vibrant dish features a delightful combination of seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and rich cheese, all drizzled with a zesty cilantro-lime dressing. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a satisfying meal on its own, this salad brings the flavors of a taco bar right to your table. Enjoy the fresh ingredients and bold flavors in every layer, making it a crowd-pleaser that guarantees everyone will come back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
24
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh lime juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
Cilantro
1/2 cup (chopped)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
Chili powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Olive oil
1/2 cup (extra virgin)
Medium onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic cloves
3 (finely chopped)
Serrano chili
1-2 (finely chopped, to taste)
Chili powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
Ground chuck
1 1/2 lbs (ground beef)
Tomato sauce
8 ounces (canned)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Avocado
1 (firm, ripe, diced)
Lettuce
1 head (torn or sliced)
Large tomatoes
1 (chopped)
Extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 lb (coarsely grated)
Black beans
19 ounces (rinsed and drained)
Black olives
6 ounces (sliced)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Gradually add olive oil in a steady stream while whisking until the dressing is fully emulsified. Set aside.
2
Heat a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sauté the chopped onion and serrano chili (adjust to taste) for 6 minutes or until the onion becomes softened. Stir in the chili powder and ground cumin, cooking for an additional minute.
3
Add the ground chuck to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until it is browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
4
While the beef is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Peel and pit the avocado, cutting it into 1/4 inch pieces. Rinse and drain the black beans, and slice the black olives.
5
In a large, shallow 4-quart dish, start layering your salad. Begin with a generous layer of torn or sliced lettuce as the base. Evenly distribute the beef mixture over the lettuce, followed by layers of chopped tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, black beans, diced avocado, and sliced black olives.
6
Finish by drizzling the prepared cilantro-lime dressing over the top of the layered salad. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your Ultimate Layered Taco Fiesta Salad!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this salad recipe?
The recipe is for the Ultimate Layered Taco Fiesta Salad.
What are the primary flavor components?
The salad features seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, rich cheese, and a zesty cilantro-lime dressing.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 24 ingredients in total.
What kind of meat is used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of ground chuck.
What is in the cilantro-lime dressing?
The dressing contains fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
How is the dressing prepared?
Whisk the lime juice, cilantro, sugar, and spices together, then gradually add olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified.
How long should the onions and serrano chili be sautéed?
They should be sautéed for approximately 6 minutes or until the onion becomes softened.
Which chili is used to provide heat to the beef?
The recipe uses 1 to 2 finely chopped serrano chilies.
What spices are added to the beef while cooking?
Chili powder and ground cumin are added to the meat.
What is the cooking time for browning the ground chuck?
It takes approximately 5 minutes to brown the meat until it is no longer pink.
What should be done after browning the meat?
Drain any excess fat and then stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of canned tomato sauce.
How do you prepare the avocado?
Peel and pit the avocado, then cut it into 1/4 inch pieces.
How should the black beans be prepared?
They should be rinsed and drained; the recipe uses a 19-ounce container.
What size dish is recommended for layering the salad?
A large, shallow 4-quart dish is recommended.
What is the base layer of the salad?
The base layer consists of one head of torn or sliced lettuce.
What is the order of the layers?
The layers are lettuce, beef mixture, chopped tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, black beans, diced avocado, and sliced black olives.
What kind of cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 lb of coarsely grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, you can serve it immediately or refrigerate it until you are ready.
Is this recipe suitable for a party?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
How much cilantro is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro.
Is there sugar in the recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is included in the dressing ingredients.
How many garlic cloves are used?
Three finely chopped garlic cloves are used in the beef preparation.
What type of oil is used for cooking the beef?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used for sautéing the vegetables before adding the meat.
How many tomatoes are required?
One large chopped tomato is used for the layering.
How many ounces of black olives are used?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of sliced black olives.
Can I adjust the spiciness?
Yes, the amount of serrano chili can be adjusted to your personal taste.
Is this a healthy recipe?
The recipe is tagged as a healthy salad option.
What type of cuisine is this?
It is categorized under Mexican cuisine.
Is this an easy recipe to follow?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for home cooks.