Sweet Spicy Taco Salad
Dive into a vibrant explosion of flavor with this Sweet Spicy Taco Salad, a quick and satisfying meal combining bold Mexican-inspired ingredients and a tangy homemade dressing. Crisp romaine lettuce is paired with juicy cherry tomatoes, hearty black beans, sweet corn, and sharp cheddar cheese, while perfectly seasoned ground beef is enhanced with a touch of brown sugar for that irresistible sweet-and-spicy kick. Topped with crunchy tortilla chips, zesty lime dressing, and optional jalapeños or cilantro for a spicy twist, this salad is as versatile as it is delicious. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, delivering a satisfying balance of textures and flavors in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 0.5 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crumbled
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Drain any excess grease from the skillet and return it to the heat. Stir in the taco seasoning, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Wash and chop the romaine lettuce. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Rinse and drain the black beans. If using frozen corn, cook according to package instructions and let cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss to combine.
Divide the salad into individual serving bowls. Top each portion with the seasoned ground beef, crumbled tortilla chips, and sliced jalapeños (if using).
Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired and serve immediately for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
755 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.4 g | 65% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.8 g | 89% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 950 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.3 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.2 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.9 g | ||
| Protein | 33.0 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 295 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 613 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
