Frito Taco Salad is a classic meatless taco salad with just 7 ingredients and ready in about 10 minutes! It is a combo of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, chili beans and crunchy Fritos. Sweet and tangy Catalina dressing tops off this salad. This makes a great dinner salad, especially during the Spring and Summer.
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If you are looking for traditional tacos, not a salad, check out these two recipes: Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos and Creamy Chicken Tacos.
RELATED: Apple Pecan Chicken Salad and Caesar Salad
7 Ingredients
Iceberg Lettuce – It is a really nice crispy and clean lettuce for the Frito Taco Salad. You can also use a romaine if you prefer.
Chili Beans – buy a can of chili beans in sauce, just like you would use for chili. Drain the very top of the chili sauce from the top of the can, BUT LEAVE THE REST OF THE SAUCE. The chili sauce mixes with the Catalina dressing to make a really flavorful dressing for the salad.
Tomatoes – I like to use cherry tomatoes, but if you have roma tomatoes or smaller grape tomatoes those will work too.
Green Onions – use the white and light green parts of the green onion for the most onion flavor. Could also use a diced red onion.
Shredded Cheese – a shredded cheddar, colby jack, pepper jack or monterey jack will work great.
Frito Corn Chips – this is the star of the recipe! The Fritos add a nice corn flavor and salty crunch to the salad.
Catalina Dressing – this is a sweet and tangy dressing that mixes perfect with the chili bean sauce. It is similar to a French style dressing but has a slightly different flavor. I have also used the Aldi version (California Style Dressing) and that works great too.
How to Make Frito Taco Salad
Lettuce & Chili Beans
Wash and chop your lettuce and place in a large bowl. Pour any extra sauce from the top of the chili beans, then pour the remaining sauce and beans over the lettuce.
Tomatoes & Onions
Add the chopped tomatoes and green onions..
Catalina Dressing
Add your desired amount of dressing and toss to coat. Don’t over dress the salad at this point. People can add more dressing to individual portions.
Fritos & Cheese
Top with the Fritos and shredded cheese and toss one more time, adding extra dressing if desired.
Serve!
Serve in bowls with extra Fritos and dressing on the side.
Adding Ground Beef Taco Meat
This is a meatless taco salad but if you want to add a little beef you certainly can! Just brown and crumble 1 lb of ground beef and add taco seasoning. You can follow this recipe for Ground Beef Tacos if you don’t have a taco spice packet!
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Frito Taco Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large head of iceberg lettuce - could also use romaine
- 15 oz can of chili beans in sauce - do not drain completely! Just drain liquid in top of the can.
- Catalina style dressing
- 2 cups Fritos Corn Chips
- 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes - cherry tomatoes or roma tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Wash and chop the lettuce and add to a large salad bowl.1 large head of iceberg lettuce
- Add the (lightly drained) can of chili beans in sauce, chopped tomatoes, green onions and your desired amount of Catalina dressing. Pro Tip: don't over dress the salad at this point. You can always add more dressing but it is hard to take out!! You can add more to individual servings!15 oz can of chili beans in sauce, Catalina style dressing, 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes, ½ cup chopped green onions
- Toss the salad to coat in the dressing.
- Add in the Fritos and shredded cheese. Add more dressing if desired then toss again.2 cups Fritos Corn Chips, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Serve in individual bowls with extra Fritos and dressing on the side.
Debbie Kielman
I haven’t tried this (yet) but Catalina is my favorite dressing so I can’t wait to try this!!! How about adding some crispy bacon?? I would def add the taco-seasoned ground beef as well!!
Susie Weinrich
The taco ground beef will be perfect!!!
ok on another note… hear me out- have you ever had a “Catalina burrito”? We used to eat them all the time.
Flour tortilla, refried beans, onions, shredded iceberg lettuce and a generous drizzle of Catalina dressing rolled up like a burrito.
Rc
Frito taco salad is real good .easy week night dinner.
John
Everyone in the family loves this recipe!
Shyril Kidd
Loved this salad and it is good and hardy!