Keto Taco Salad

Name: Keto Taco Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon sea salt); 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon coriander; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon avocado oil; 1 lb. ground beef (lean 85/15); 1 tablespoon fresh garlic (minced); 5 oz lettuce (shredded ); 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved); 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced); 1 jalapeno (seeded and sliced; optional ); 1 cup cheddar cheese (sharp, shredded ); 1/3 cup salsa; 1/3 cup guacamole; 1/3 cup sour cream

Last updated: Jul 17, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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This flavorful keto taco salad, ready in just 30 minutes, makes a great alternative to traditional tacos.

There's no need for a dressing, although you could add some if you wish. Simply mix in salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Keto taco salad served on a white plate with a napkin and two forks.

When you crave tacos and don't feel like making cheddar taco shells as I do in these keto tacos, this tasty salad is a great option.

You get all the wonderful flavors sans the shells. You won't miss them - this salad is so rich and satisfying.

One of the best things about this keto taco salad is the gorgeous presentation. I bring it to the table in all its glory, its ingredients artfully arranged on a large serving plate, then take it back to the kitchen to mix.

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Ingredients
Variations
Keto Taco Salad Instructions
Expert Tip
Recipe FAQs
Serving Suggestions
Storing Leftovers
More Mexican Recipes
Recipe Card

Ingredients

The exact measurements for making this salad are included in the recipe card below. Here are my comments and tips about a few of the ingredients you'll need:

Lean ground beef: I use an 85/15 mixture. I have experimented with lower-fat meat (90/10) and have determined that it's too dry and not as flavorful.
Taco seasoning: You can make your own or use store-bought seasoning.
Jalapeno: This is an optional ingredient. If you don't like spicy food, you can omit it. If you do use it, make sure to seed it.
Condiments: Salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. They are so rich and flavorful when mixed into the salad that there's no need for a separate salad dressing.

The ingredients needed to make a keto taco salad.

Variations

Use chicken instead of ground beef. You can bake a couple of large chicken breasts, then shred them and briefly saute them in oil with taco seasoning. Or use cooked ground chicken or turkey.
Vary the cheese you use - crumbled queso fresco and manchego are two good options I tried and liked.
Sometimes I substitute baby spinach leaves for lettuce.
Replace the guacamole with sliced avocado.
Use chopped green onions instead of red onions.

Keto Taco Salad Instructions

This salad makes a quick and tasty weeknight dinner. And it's very easy to make. Simply sauté ground beef with onions and spices, then build your salad.

The detailed instructions for making this salad are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps:

Cook the beef in some oil, then add the garlic and the seasonings. That's it for the cooking part!

A two-photo collage with raw ground beef on the left and cooked ground beef on the right.

On a large serving plate, arrange the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, jalapeno, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cooked seasoned beef. Serve immediately.

A photo collage showing the steps for arranging taco salad ingredients on a plate.

Expert Tip

To make this recipe as easy and quick as possible, use bagged pre-washed salad greens, store-bought salsa, prepared guacamole, and a packet of taco seasoning.

Recipe FAQs

What makes this salad keto?

Traditional taco salads often contain black beans, corn, and tortilla chips. In this keto version, we remove those ingredients. The salad is still wonderfully rich, tasty, and satiating while containing far fewer carbs.

Should I mix the salad or layer it?

It's up to you! I like to make a layered salad, as shown in the photos - it's so pretty. After I present it, I take it back to the kitchen and mix everything together.

But if you prefer, you can put everything in a big salad bowl and make a mixed salad.

What dressing should I use for a keto taco salad?

I don't use dressing. The toppings - salsa, guacamole, and sour cream - work beautifully as a tasty dressing when mixed into the salad.

If you would like to make a dressing, whisk 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, and ¼ teaspoon of sea salt.

What lettuce variety should I use?

You can use whatever you like! A bag of mixed salad greens is the easiest. If you prefer to buy a head of lettuce and shred it yourself, you can use iceberg lettuce for its crispness and mild flavor.

Romaine is another good option, and while it's not as crispy as iceberg lettuce, it's more flavorful.

Serving Suggestions

This main-dish salad makes a full meal, so there's no need for any sides.

As mentioned above, you can serve it with a salad dressing if you wish. Tasty options include ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.

You can also serve this salad with thick slices of almond flour bread or with these cheese muffins on the side.

Storing Leftovers

You can't keep leftovers from this salad, unfortunately. The problem ingredients are lettuce and avocado. Both do not do well as leftovers, so it's best to finish them immediately.

You can keep the cooked ground beef separately if you made more than you need for the salad. Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat it in the microwave at 50% power.

Another option, if you'd like to make this salad as meal prep, is to prepare everything in advance except for the lettuce and guacamole and add those at the last minute.