Our favorite taco salad is loaded with the best toppings and served with some of our favorite dressings. Cilantro-lime, chili mango, or salsa ranch make the perfect dressing for this crunchy, filling salad!
Get ready for Taco Tuesday over here!!
Because let me just tell you that I make the best taco salad ever.
I swear! Behold…the best taco salad is made with refreshing, crisp lettuce, seasoned taco meat, juicy tomatoes, scallions, corn, crunchy tortilla strips, and the most delicious dressing.
And the best? I have three dressings that I love that you can choose from!
Today we are all about the BEST of everything.
These dressings are tried-and-true favorites that we love and will enjoy depending on our mood. You choose:
Cilantro Lime. This is a key resource, and I’ve already shared several recipes here on the blog.
Salsa Ranch! This is for all my ranch lovers out there. I make my homemade ranch dressing and stir in my favorite classic restaurant-style salad. So good.
And finally, Chili mango. This is for my sweet and spicy friends who like a creamy dressing with a hint of spiciness and lots of lime.
The dressings are what add value to the taco salad and make it feel different every time. Each dressing gives him a special feeling. Whether you go with the classic cilantro vinaigrette or a creamy ranch vinaigrette.
Now, this salad is nothing groundbreaking. It’s just… a taco salad! But it’s a really good taco salad and I go through everything we like to have on our salads. I mean, I like it so much that sometimes I prefer the salad to the actual taco itself.
which is crazy
Because I’ll eat a taco anytime. Every time!
However, there is something about these ingredients – combined they are super delicious. Season the salad with coriander. Ground turkey or beef or even chicken. A bunch of our favorite taco toppings. Don’t forget the corn for the sweetness and the pickled onions for the spiciness. You can also add some salsa or beans or whatever you like.
The point of our favorite taco salad?
It’s SUPER satisfying. So crunchy, so filling, and packed with all the flavors you love in a taco. And the dressings make it different every time!
My cilantro lime dressing is more of a vinaigrette. Bright, refreshing and tastes green in a good way.
The salad ranch is easy too. I make my homemade Greek yogurt ranch dressing. Then I stir in some restaurant style salsa (I’m very fond of Herdez) until I get the flavor I want. It also keeps in the fridge for a few days and makes an incredible dip. Tortilla chips, veggies, pretzels—the possibilities are endless.
My Chili Mango is creamy and cool, with lime juice and lots Tajin spice. The texture resembles a creamy vinaigrette and is delicious!
And let me remind you: I use my Nutribullet for ALL of these dressings. It is the best. It’s super small, easy to use and even easier to clean. It makes dressings that are emulsified and smooth, and it’s my ideal way of using it. I can’t live without it this device.
And this is how you make our favorite taco salad!
Our favorite taco salad
Our favorite taco salad with 3 dressings
Our favorite taco salad is loaded with the best toppings and served with some of our favorite dressings. Cilantro-lime, chili mango, or salsa ranch make the perfect dressing for this crunchy, filling salad!
Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 3 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1½ tablespoon Honey
- ¼ Cup fresh coriander
- 2 Garlic cloves, chopped or pressed
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- prize crushed red pepper flakes
- ⅓ Cup Extra virgin olive oil
Chili mango dressing
- ½ Cup fresh mango pieces
- 1 teaspoon Chili Lime Spice, like tajin
- 2 Lemons, juiced
- ⅓ to ½ Cup olive oil
- kosher salt and pepper
Salsa Ranch
- ½ Cup Plain yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ Cup mayonnaise
- ¼ Cup milk
- 2 tablespoon fresh chives or ½ tablespoon dried chives
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill herb
- ½ tablespoon fresh parsley or ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ Cup your favorite salsa
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For the salad, toss the lettuce with fresh coriander and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes, corn, scallions, pickled onions, tortilla chips, seasoned taco meat, and guacamole or avocado. Drizzle everything with a dressing of your choice. Enjoy!
Cilantro Lime Dressing
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In a blender or food processor, combine lime juice, honey, garlic, coriander salt, pepper, pepper flakes, and olive oil. Mix until combined and smooth (a few cilantro bits may remain). Leftovers keep great in the fridge for a few days! Store it in a sealed container.
Chili mango dressing
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In a blender or food processor, combine mango, chilli-lime dressing, lime juice, olive oil, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until combined and smooth. Leftovers keep great in the fridge for a few days! Store it in a sealed container.
Extra chips please!