Taco Salad with Cowboy Caviar and Creamy Salsa Ranch Dressing
Recipe and photography by Abby Mosler, @SweetRindandSalt. Taco Salad with Cowboy Caviar is a bold, hearty salad made with seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, fresh veggies, creamy ranch taco dressing, and Paisley Farm Cowboy Caviar. Loaded with avocado, tomatoes, cabbage, shredded cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips, this easy taco salad recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game-day meals—and brings classic Tex-Mex flavor to every bite. 🌮🥗
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
1 cup sour cream
1 (1 oz.) package ranch dressing mix
½ cup picante sauce (or any smooth salsa)
1 tsp. chile powder
½ tsp. lime juice
Hot sauce to taste (optional)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
For the Salad:
1 lb. ground beef
1 (1 oz.) package taco seasoning
1 large head romaine or iceberg lettuce (about 6 to 8 cups)
1 – 1 ½ cups Paisley Farm Cowboy Caviar, drained
10 oz. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved (about 1 cup halved)
1 ½ cups finely shredded purple or red cabbage (about ¼ of a medium cabbage)
1 large avocado, cut into chunks or thinly sliced
1 ½ cups shredded cheese
1 – 1 ½ cups lightly crushed tortilla chips
Cilantro for garnish
Fresh lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- First, make the dressing. Add the sour cream, ranch dressing mix, picante sauce, chile powder, lime juice, and hot sauce (if using) to a small mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and whisk again. Set aside.
- Next, make the taco meat. If using a leaner ground beef, add a small splash of oil to a skillet and warm over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break up into small chunks. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned; about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the taco seasoning and the amount of water suggested on the taco seasoning package. Stir well. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- *Now it’s time to build your salads. Evenly distribute the lettuce between four to six plates or larger bowls. Next, evenly distribute the ground beef (using a slotted spoon to drain off any excess grease), cowboy caviar, tomatoes, cabbage, avocado, shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips among the salads. Drizzle with the salsa ranch dressing and garnish with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of fresh lime juice and enjoy!
- *NOTE: You can also build the salad in a large mixing bowl and serve family style either tossed in the dressing or with the dressing on the side!
