Taco Salad With Doritos and Catalina Dressing

Deliciously Nostalgic Dorito Salad

This salad has been a hit at countless potlucks, church suppers, tailgates, and anytime my family needs a Taco Tuesday upgrade. No matter when I serve it, it always goes first! This Dorito Taco Salad is the one everyone scoops onto their plate, and by the time you go back for seconds—poof, it’s gone! It’s bold, crunchy, and packed with flavor in every bite.

This salad keeps all the taco flavors we love but adds a crispy, cheesy twist that takes it to another level. Plus, it’s quick, easy, and totally customizable, so you can make it just the way your family loves—whether that means extra cheese, no beans, or a little extra crunch!

Want to make sure yours stays crisp, fresh, and absolutely perfect until serving? I’ve got you covered. It’s always a crowd-pleaser. And today, I’m sharing all my secret tips to keep it from turning soggy—so every bite is just as good as the first!

Dorito Taco Salad Recipe Ingredients

• Seasoned Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef if possible. Make sure to drain any excess fat and then season with taco seasoning.
• Bean Layer – I like to use pinto beans or black beans. You could also use chili beans or whatever is your favorite. If you don’t care for beans, change it out for fresh corn, thawed frozen corn, or drained canned corn.
• Lettuce – You may use iceberg lettuce or any leafy green lettuce you enjoy. Even a bagged salad works and makes this even simpler to assemble.
• Cheese – Cheddar cheese is always a great fit. You could use a white and sharp cheddar, or a colby blend. Even taco or Mexican blends work marvelously.
• Tomatoes – I like cherry or grape tomatoes halved or quartered. They are sweet and ripe, and they are usually just delicious.
• Black Olives – Add a pop of color and flavor with black olives. If you don’t like them leave them off.
• Doritos Chips – These are the star of the show! They give crunch, flavor, and lots of texture to the salad. They are a must in my book! If you’re trying to be healthier, you could go for the baked version. But I say splurge on the real thing!
• Taco Topping Suggestions or Add-Ins – Sour cream, cilantro, and avocado are delicious mix-ins to add more flavor and textures.

Can I make the Dorito taco salad recipe ahead?

If you are making ahead, I recommend layering the taco meat at the bottom. Then, add your lettuce and veggies as desired.

• After you wash your ingredients, make sure that you dry them well. A handy salad spinner works wonders to get the lettuce dry.
• Hold the wet ingredients like sour cream and dressing, and add the Doritos just before serving.
• You can always prep your ingredients ahead and store them separately to save time when assembling the salad.
• For a shortcut, buy some of the ingredients prepped at the grocery store. If you want the olives sliced buy them already sliced in the can.

Dorito Taco Salad Dressing Variations

Change the taste by changing the dressing!

• You can mix sour cream with an easy blender salsa or salsa verde to dress the salad.
• French dressing still has a tang but a little more creamy.
• Thousand Island is oh-so-tasty on this, too.
• You can also go for a creamy ranch. I love it with a heavy dose of salsa on it, too!
• Try my Copycat Chipotle Vinaigrette or Cilantro-lime dressing to change it up!

There really is no hard-and-fast rule for this salad. You have your basic components, but you can always add or take away, so all your favorites are included.

Does Dorito Salad Store Well?

Unfortunately, no, if it is all tossed together. If you know you will have leftovers and want to store them, I recommend serving without adding the wet ingredients or Doritos. Put them on the side in pretty bowls for people to top themselves.

You can also create a buffet of all the ingredients and let people make their own. That is always fun, too! This way, you can also serve a variety of toppings and dressing options if desired.