After recently watching my 4 and 6-year-old daughters gobble down some “Cobb Salad
” I decided to apply that very same idea to this “Taco Salad.” Who doesn’t like to see all the choices laid out beautifully so you can pick and choose what you want? And what mommy doesn’t like to see a few pieces of lettuce accidentally slip into the mix on her kids’ plates? 
Now I’d be lying if I told you that my younger (and pickier) daughter didn’t put up a little fuss about eating some of the green stuff in this dish. But I helped her roll some of the meat, cheese, and sour cream that she looooves inside a few bigger pieces of lettuce, and it helped things tremendously. She knew she had to take a big bite right into the lettuce if she wanted the goodies on the inside. I, on the other hand, just thought this was such a refreshing and fun twist to the traditional taco dinner. So this meal was a big hit in my book.
- 1 head lettuce* (any variety), washed and chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter*
- ½ cup onion*, diced
- ½ lb ground beef*, preferably locally raised grass-fed beef
- ½ cup either kidney, pinto, or black beans*
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin + extra for tortillas
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 whole-grain corn tortillas
- 1 cup grated cheese* + extra for tortillas (I used Monterey Jack)
- 2 tomatoes*, diced (or pico de gallo, which is diced tomatoes mixed with onion, cilantro, chili peppers, and lime)
- ½ cup sour cream*
- 1 bunch cilantro*
- 1 lime*
*Organic ingredients recommended
- Turn the broiler in your oven on high.
- Melt the butter/oil in a medium-sized sauté pan over medium heat on the stove. Add the onions and cook for several minutes until they start to soften.
- Add the beef and beans to the pan. Break it up with a spatula while the beef browns. Season the meat mixture with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place tortillas on a large, ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle them with cheese. Put a few dashes of cumin on top of the cheese. Put them under the broiler for 2 – 3 minutes or until lightly brown.
- While the beef and tortillas are cooking, spread the lettuce out over a large serving platter then top it with rows of tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.
- Add the cooked ground beef mixture in a row on the serving platter. When the tortillas are done and have cooled slightly, slice them (kitchen scissors or a pizza cutter work great for this) and add them to the platter as well.
- Sprinkle entire dish with fresh cilantro leaves and some fresh-squeezed lime juice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
This is a super yummy and easy recipe. I have just tossed my old homemade recipe and will use this on now! Thank you for always giving great tips and wonderful recipes. Thanks again!
I’m wondering if you can give me some tips for stuffing a pinata with some healthy options as well as any ideas you might have for serving lunch. I was going to do a make your own taco bar and have veggies and fruit as snacks. It’s for a 6 year girl’s birthday.
Thank you.
Hi Nicole. I think the taco bar is a great idea. Kids love building their own taco creations. Lisa has a recipe for taco seasoning so you don’t have to turn to the packaged kind: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/11/23/misleading-products/ and http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/15/recipe-taco-salad/. As for pinata treats, you can mix fun non-food items such as pencils, erasers, stickers, bouncy balls etc. with a few Unreal (brand) candies or individually wrapped homemade treats. There is not much in the candy world that is not full of artificial colors and flavors. Have a great party!
~Amy
Are canned beans OK vs. dry beans? I know there are organic beans available in cans…
Hi Bridget. Canned beans are fine. Look for an organic brand that is BPA free. ~Amy
[...] container. I use 2 ½ teaspoons of taco seasoning per 1 pound of ground meat. Also check out my taco salad recipe for a different take on [...]
Great recipe!!!
[...] almost once a week we are sure to enjoy some south of the border fare like homemade refried beans, taco salad, pork carnitas, flank steak fajitas, vegetable quesadillas, homemade tortillas, or the like. And [...]