Taco Salad with Nacho Cheese Doritos

Many moons ago (when I was just a wee fraction of who I am now) my mom used to make this salad when the weather was hot. Now I live in Hawaii and it’s hot most of the year so I eat salad more frequently (this one included). Generally I don’t buy Doritos but having them crunch in your mouth gives this taco salad that extra little umph to make it perfect. You could serve this salad with sliced avocado if you have one available. I just remembered I’ve made this salad without any meat so you could make it vegetarian as well. The kidney beans still give it protein.

Taco Salad with Nacho Cheese Doritos

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
1 cucumber, sliced
2 green onions, sliced thin
1 carrot, grated
1 small can sliced black olives, drained
16 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 lb. ground beef (or ground turkey) (optional)
1 packet taco seasoning
8 oz. Cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 – 1 c. Thousand Island Dressing
1/2 bag Nacho Cheese Dorito chips, slightly broken

Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Add taco seasoning according to package directions. Make a tossed salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, carrot, olives, kidney beans, and cheese. Add ground beef to salad; toss with Thousand Island dressing. Crush nacho chips and mix in just before serving. Serves 4-6.

Photo credit: ItsJoelen