Garden taco salad recipe

Packed with protein and fiber, this dish satisfies a taste for spice and crunch.

taco salad in a bowl

Updated on January 9, 2024.

This hearty meal is perfect after a workout. It's filled with electrolytes, healthy carbs to replenish your energy stores, and protein to boost recovery. If you prefer, use ground turkey instead of beef.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz lean ground longhorn, buffalo, or beef (93% lean or higher)
  • 1 package taco seasoning
  • A few cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, shredded or chopped
  • 1 sweet red, yellow, or orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sweet purple onion, sliced
  • 1/2 cup kidney beans, canned and drained
  • 1/2 cup whole kernel Mexican-style corn, drained
  • 1/4 cup low-fat cheddar or Monterrey jack cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup chunky-style garden salsa, mild or spicy

Preparation (Serves 2)

Brown ground meat in pan. Pour off any fat. Mix in taco seasoning and set aside.

Toss pepper, onion, and tomatoes with lettuce. Add kidney beans and corn. Chill.

Mix ground beef with vegetables and top with cheese and salsa. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

Variations: Add low fat sour cream and/or sliced avocado.

Tips:

  • Make soft tacos by rolling leftover salad in a low-fat flour tortilla.
  • To reduce sodium, rinse beans and corn or use fresh beans and corn; use fresh salsa.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 590; fat 15g; saturated fat 6g; cholesterol 57mg; sodium 1,200mg; carbohydrate 78g; fiber 15g; protein 38g

More On

What are the nutritional benefits of eating barley?

video

What are the nutritional benefits of eating barley?
Barley is a whole grain that contains resistant starch and fiber, and also does wonders for your blood sugar by picking it up and keeping it steady fo...
Thanksgiving quesadilla

article

Thanksgiving quesadilla
Turn your turkey day leftovers into a delicious lunch.
7 dairy-free foods this dietitian swears by

slideshow

7 dairy-free foods this dietitian swears by
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other delicious (and healthy) dairy-free options to try.
What are some foods to have on hand if cravings hit?

video

What are some foods to have on hand if cravings hit?
Believe it or not, by having certain snacks on hand you can actually head off a craving, says addiction specialist Dr. Mike Dow. Watch this video to f...
What are the health benefits of hot red peppers?

video

What are the health benefits of hot red peppers?
Hot red peppers have a chemical called capsicum that makes them hot; when we eat them, our bodies respond to that extreme heat by producing endorphins...