The whole lot you used to like in a Taco Bell Taco Salad – however made at house. Crispy shells crammed with seasoned beef, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and extra!
A FAST FOOD COPYCAT RECIPE
Elevate your hand when you mss the taco salad at Taco Bell! It was my favourite factor on the menu so I used to be so bummed she they took it away. So I figured I’d begin making my very own model at house. I do really feel like it is a little much less of a recipe and extra of a set of tips because it’s all very customizable. I even share a bunch of do-it-yourself choices for various elements within the elements and FAQ sections, however in order for you this to be a foolish easy recipe, seize the premade elements on the retailer and toss all of it collectively. Or, go away all of the elements out buffet fashion and let everybody construct their very own salads!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
You should use no matter model you might have accessible, I grabbed this one from Kroger (not a paid affiliate hyperlink). However, any shells from the refrigerated part of the grocery retailer ought to work. Generally, when you can’t discover them within the refrigerated space, you may test the refrigerated part (the place you’d search for Queso Fresco or Crema Mexicana, and many others.) They’ll often include oven-safe formers that assist the bowls preserve their distinctive bowl form.
Sure. I haven’t executed it myself, however when you’d like to make use of different tortillas after which purchase some taco shell formers (paid affiliate hyperlink). Should you don’t need to get a former, I suppose you possibly can ball up some aluminum foil and form them that means. Simply lay the tortilla over the aluminum foil ball and gently push down.
Positive. The unique taco salad bowl was fried, so when you’ve wish to have that, right here you go. It’s not onerous in any respect to make. Simply warmth up some oil in an electrical fryer or use a dutch oven. Warmth the oil to 350F after which place a big burrito dimension flour tortilla into the oil and take a big (sizzling oil secure) ladle and push it down within the center. Maintain it down so it kinds a effectively. As soon as the tortilla will get golden brown and crispy, take away it from the oil and put it on a paper towel to empty any extra grease.
The unique salad, again within the day, had sliced olives and sliced inexperienced onions on it. I do know these can actually be controversial elements with so many individuals, so I opted to depart them out. However, once I make these for me at house, I completely love throwing a handful of sliced black olives and inexperienced onions on and I’m not likely an olive individual, however they work so effectively on this salad! Should you like some warmth, add chipotle crema, sizzling salsa, or jalapeños.
Really it does. You’ll need to begin with the beans and rice on the backside to allow them to assist absorb the meat juices with out making the salad shell get soggy too quick. The remainder of the issues will be tossed on, however preserve that in thoughts when layering your salad. I additionally like to attend so as to add the crunchy tortilla strips till serving so they really keep crunchy.
Actually, go for a Veggie Taco Salad. To do that, simply omit the meat, double up on the beans and rice, and add a few of your favourite roasted veggies.
Leftovers ought to be saved in particular person containers for every kind of ingredient when you haven’t assembled the salad bowls but. They’ll last more that means. Hold them in air tight containers within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. Should you’ve assembled Fiesta Taco Salads already, I’d suggest storing the shell individually from the remainder of your salad elements because it’ll get soggy fast.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- Azteca Bake & Fill Crispy Flakey Taco Salad Shells with formers– I shared how you possibly can make your individual as effectively within the FAQ part above. I’ve discovered that these Azteca shells are finest while you first make them. So, I don’t wish to prep these too far prematurely.
- floor beef– you possibly can use precooked shredded hen, or cook dinner up some floor hen or floor turkey as a substitute of beef. Shredded Taco Rooster is an alternative choice. You would strive fajita steak strips for a Steak Taco Salad.
- Taco Bell taco seasoning – when you don’t need to use this Taco Bell model of taco seasoning, you need to use no matter your most well-liked or favourite model is. Moreover, Do-it-yourself Taco Seasoning is at all times an possibility.
- water
- refried beans– warmed up. You should use no matter model you like or use some Do-it-yourself Refried Beans.
- premade taco-flavored rice– you need to use a store-bought pouch, like this Rice Pouch or Do-it-yourself Mexican Rice. Should you don’t need Mexican rice, you possibly can use white rice, white rice with salsa combined collectively, or some Cilantro Lime Rice.
- shredded iceberg lettuce
- shredded Colby cheese– moreover, you possibly can strive Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican mix
- diced tomatoes
- Taco Bell gentle sauce– I used this Delicate Sauce, however you possibly can use a distinct sauce or chunky salsa. Sauce or salsa is optionally available, when you don’t need it, omit it.
- crunchy tortilla strips– you need to use any model of tortilla strips. These are an optionally available ingredient. Should you don’t have tortilla strips, you possibly can simply crush up some tortilla chips.
- bitter cream– when you want a distinct possibility, check out some plain Greek yogurt. Be happy to omit when you don’t prefer it.
- Elective toppings: sliced black olives, inexperienced onions, guacamole, jalapeños

HOW TO MAKE TACO BELL TACO SALAD
Put together Azteca taco salad shells on a big baking sheet in response to bundle instructions till golden and crisp. Let cool barely.

In a skillet over medium warmth, cook dinner floor beef till browned. Drain any extra grease and put it again into the skillet..
Add in taco seasoning and water. Deliver it as much as a simmer and simmer for about 3-4 minutes till thickened. Take away from warmth.
To organize taco bowls, unfold a layer of heat refried beans into the underside of every shell. Add a big spoonful or two of taco rice.

Then prime the rice with a number of the taco-seasoned beef (as little or as a lot as you want.)
Layer shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, taco sauce or salsa, and crunchy tortilla strips. Then prime all of it off with a bit of dollop of bitter cream.

Garnish with extras like sliced olives, inexperienced onions, or guacamole. Serve instantly whereas shells are crispy.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Forestall your display from going darkish
- Please discuss with my FAQ’s (Regularly Requested Questions) and ingredient checklist above for different substitutions or for the solutions to the commonest questions.
- Formers are the small, oven-safe, disposable squares that the tortillas drape over to carry their form whereas baking The Azteca shells have these already included. See my Regularly Requested Questions Above for different choices.
Energy: 915kcal | Carbohydrates: 97g | Protein: 37g | Fats: 40g | Sodium: 712mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g
“The Nation Prepare dinner” is just not a dietician or nutritionist, and any dietary data shared is an estimate. If calorie depend and different dietary values are necessary to you, we suggest operating the elements by way of whichever on-line dietary calculator you like. Energy and different dietary values can range fairly a bit relying on which manufacturers have been used.

