North Taco Salad

Born in Texas, perfected in MN… my North Taco Salad recipe. I grew up eating my mom’s Tex-Mex inspired taco salad and quickly realized that her recipe varied from others. Perhaps meaning taco salads vary by region? If so, I think the North has given it just the spin I like. Ha! Below is the recipe I have developed to my liking. This recipe is perfect for enjoying on your deck in the warm sun accompanied by a cold margarita. Delicious and perfect!

North Taco Salad

 

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Prep time

30 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

Taco salad is my comfort food. It makes me think of summer and my childhood. I love making it! It is fast, easy and satisfying.

Author: Erin Catlin

Recipe type: Salad

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

Taco Salad Beans

• 1 tbsp canola oil
• ½ a yellow onion chopped
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can pinto beans drained and rinsed
• 2 tsp taco seasoning
• 1 tsp salt

Taco Salad Components

• salted tortilla chips
• 1 head of Romaine lettuce chopped
• 1 tomato seeded and chopped
• ½ cup grated white cheddar cheese
• black olives
• sour cream
• roasted garlic guacamole

Roasted Garlic Guacamole

• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 roasted garlic cloves (if you are not a fan of big garlic flavor, use 1 clove)
• juice from half a lime
• salt
• 2 tbsp cilantro chopped

Taco Salad Dressing

• 1 part salsa
• 1 part French dressing

Instructions

1. to make the beans, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat
2. add the onion and stir for a few minutes
3. add garlic and cook until the onion is translucent
4. add the seasoning, beans and salt
5. cook until heated through and set aside
6. prep your taco salad components
7. to make the guacamole, roast the garlic cloves in a pan over medium heat until black and soft
8. peal the garlic cloves, chop and place in bowl
9. add the lime juice, salt, cilantro and avocado to the bowl and mash with a fork (if you have a molcajete - use it).
10. to make the dressing, stir or shake salsa and French dressing together
11. Assemble all ingredients to your liking!

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• Try the in-house fried tortilla chips from Whole Foods. Delicious!
• This recipe does not have meat! If you would like to have additional protein, cook ground beef in the onion and garlic before adding the beans. Make sure to adjust your salt and seasoning accordingly.
• On this particular day I used Rick Bayless’s Roasted Habanero Salsa and Annie’s Organic French Dressing, but any brand or kind will do. It is funny… this recipe is the only reason I have French Dressing in my refrigerator!
• Assemble your components as you wish, but my recommended order is below!