This Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing is hands down, the best Frito salad recipe out there! The salad is always the standout “salad dish” for potlucks!
The Fritos and taco seasoned beef, combine perfectly with the sweet and tangy flavor of the Catalina Dressing for a flavorful taco salad everyone enjoys.
Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
We have a family get together planned on Sunday at my sister-in-law’s house and have been asked to bring a dish. I decided my Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing recipe will be perfect. It’s such a great salad recipe and always gets polished off whenever I take it to a potluck.
With the holiday weekend coming up, I figured I’m not the only one trying to think of a dish to bring to a potluck, so I thought the taco salad recipe would be a perfect recipe to share with you guys today.
Why You Should Make this Frito Taco Salad
Can I just admit right now, that it’s been so long since I made this Frito Taco Salad – I forgot how delicious it really is!
And before you ask, yes, salads can be a main dish! The only issue you might face with a salad for dinner is that when you say the word “salad”, some kids will automatically complain! (I’ve got one that will try anything and another that complains about everything not made with chicken and can’t be cooked in the air fryer, lol.)
The greatest thing about a Frito Salad is the FRITOS!
It’s amazing what a few salty, crunchy corn chips sprinkled into a salad will do. Kids gobble it up!
There is just something about the Fritos, Catalina dressing and taco flavors that go together just perfectly.
Ingredients in a Frito Taco Salad
Want to Give this recipe a try? Make sure to add these ingredients to your grocery list:
- 1lb of lean ground beef (or turkey)
- taco seasoning
- 8 to 10 cups of romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped.
- 1 can of black or pinto beans, drained
- 1 cup of corn
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1.5 cups of shredded cheese
- 2 cups of Fritos
- Catalina Dressing
- optional toppings: chopped green onions or black olives
How to Make this Taco Salad Recipe
(Scroll to the bottom for the Printable Recipe Card.)
- Brown the ground meat, adding the package of taco seasoning in towards the end (If your taco seasoning is in bulk, use 2.5 tablespoons.)
Tip: Don’t break the ground beef up in too small of pieces – larger bites of taco seasoned ground beef are just tastier. - Remove from heat and drain if needed.
- In a large bowl, add all the ingredients to the salad and mix everything together.
- Combine well, making sure everything is coated with the dressing.
- Top with extra Fritos and desired extra toppings. Serve immediately!
Can I Use Turkey Instead of Beef
Of course! This Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing is traditionally made with ground beef, but I’ll sometimes substitute turkey or even shredded chicken and it is just as good!
Can I Make the Salad Ahead of Time
Once prepared and dressing is added, you should serve the Taco Salad immediately. But, if you want to put the salad together ahead of time for a party or potluck, mix the cooked and seasoned beef with the beans and corn and place in one container and the lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese in their separate bags.
Once you are on location and ready to serve, combine everything, adding the Fritos and Catalina Dressing to the salad last.
Another fun idea would be to serve the salad and all the ingredients “buffet style”. That way your guests can pick and choose what to add and how much to their salads. (Kind of like a taco bar, but it’s a taco salad bar!)
Want More Potluck Dish Ideas? Check these out:
- Walking Tacos (Frito Pies in a bag)
- Texas Caviar (a delicious black bean and corn salsa)
- Sausage and Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
- Easy Tropical Fruit Salad
- Apple and Walnut Salad
- Blueberry Dump Cake Recipe
- Banana Cream Pie Bars
- Cherry Dump Cake
Printable Frito Taco Salad Recipe Card:
Print
Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 1
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: serves 5 to 6 1x
- Category: salad
- Method: stovetop
Description
This Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing is always the standout “salad dish” for potlucks! The Fritos and taco seasoned beef, combine perfectly with the sweet and tangy flavor of the Catalina Dressing for a flavorful taco salad everyone enjoys.
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 cups of romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped. (Or whatever looks like enough to feed your family.)
- 1lb of lean ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 package of taco seasoning (or 2.5 tablespoons bulk seasoning)
- 1 can of black or pinto beans, drained (pintos are best)
- 1 cup of corn
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1.5 cups of shredded cheese
2 cups of Fritos - Catalina Dressing (use your judgment on the amount.)
- (optional toppings: chopped green onions or black olives)
Instructions
- Brown the ground meat, adding the package of taco seasoning in towards the end (If your taco seasoning is in bulk, use 2.5 tablespoons.)
Tip: Don’t break the ground beef up in too small of pieces – larger bites of taco seasoned ground beef are just tastier. - Remove from heat and drain if needed.
- In a large bowl, add all the ingredients to the salad and mix everything together. Combine well, making sure everything is coated with the dressing.
- Top with extra Fritos and desired extra toppings. Serve immediately!
Notes
If you want to put this together ahead of time for a party or potluck, mix the cooked and seasoned beef with the beans and corn and place in one container and the lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese in their separate bags. Once you are on location, combine everything, adding the Fritos and Catalina dressing to the salad last.
Nutrition
- Calories: 504
- Sugar: 14
- Fat: 29
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 24
Keywords: frito taco salad, taco salad, frito taco salad with catalina dressing
Still hungry? Check out a few of my brand new recipes:
- Blueberry Jam Recipe – Only 3 ingredients
- No Bake Blueberry Pie (using fresh or frozen blueberries)
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe – it’s no cook!
- Green Chile Chicken Tacos – (both slow cooker and instant pot instructions)
- Easy Loaded Baked Potato Soup for One (in the microwave)
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breannesp says
I thought I was the only one who put Catalina dressing on my taco salad! Ah, the validation I feel now is nearly overwhelming.
When I make this, I also cook half an onion with the meat. Yum!
Debbilyn Comm says
This is a wonderful vintage recipe. In fact, without the Catalina—which is THE original dressing for taco salad, it can be disappointing. But this recipe is THE BOMB. I wouldn’t make it without the Fritos and the Catalina. Great find. Make it and you’ll agree.
★★★★★
Chris S says
yum!
Linda Young says
Sounds great! I'll take it to my next family gathering! Thanks! Have a wonderful weekend!
Erin says
This looks wonderful! Pinned for later. Thanks
Cathy says
I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight.
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Kelli says
No joke–I was just telling my husband about my Mom's Taco Salad recipe two days ago and then I saw this–the same recipe! The only difference is sometimes my Mom would use doritos instead of fritos–whatever she had handy. I'm making it this week! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Sara Howe says
I have seen a recipe like this before and every time I do I think to myself I need to try it! Thinking tonight I'll have to finally make it…it looks so good 🙂
http://www.sarahowe.blogspot.com
Karen says
I’ve made this for 40 years it’s always a hit I just love it
★★★★★
[email protected] says
This looks amazing! I am pretty sure I am going to be making it soon!
Amy Fennell says
I love this salad! I use grilled chicken in mine sometimes, too.
Carrie says
Sounds delicious!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Tanya Runkle says
My mom always made this salad, oh this brings back great memories!! Sharing on Pinterest and Twitter 🙂
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Julie redheadcandecorate.com says
Looks yummy…bet it was!
Heidi @ Moms Crafty Space says
Yum! This looks like a great side dish to bring to a barbecue or picnic! Pinning!
kristi dominguez says
So yummy!! My mother-in-law has a really similar recipe…we love it!!
Kimberly Tola says
This is a great dish, my whole Family and everybody at my work loves it and never seconds.
sande smith says
My favorite potluck salad!
★★★★★
Diane says
I tried this salad last night. It was good however I did not think the salad dressing went well with a taco salad. Don’t get me wrong the dressing is delicious just not the best for a Mexican salad. I am in CA and we have fantastic Mexican food. So I will stick with my Spicy Avocado Dressing or Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette. I just wanted to try this and see if I would like it better than what I was using.
Jamie says
It must be a southern thing as this recipe has bee around for decades.
jen says
Made this for my bunco group last week, it was amazing. Even had people asking for the recipe.
★★★★★
Lisa K Musil says
I usually make all the fixings and let my family (8 of us!) put their own salads together–their choice of dressing, ratio of toppings, etc. I made this last night and it got a 7/8. (My youngest thought the Catalina dressing was “too sweet”.) So, overall, we rated this one a “keeper”.
★★★★★
Kyle L says
I am looking forward to trying this. My mother used to make this salad and I remember loving it. Sadly, she passed before I had the chance to get the recipe from her, as she was a recipe in my head kind of person. I like another posters idea of letting people build their own and I think I might do the same since I have picky eaters. Thanks for giving me the change to re-live my childhood!
★★★★★
DORIS F WILKINSON says
I am 75 years old, and I have had this recipe for at least 30 years. It is very good but sometimes can’t find Catalina dressing. I too live in Texas.
★★★★★
Derenda L McDonald says
Look up 60’s catalina dressing recipe
online.dere6
Michele says
Thank you for being so generous to share this. I had it at a church potluck and have been trying to find the recipe. I love the combination of sweet, spicy, and crunchy.
Jamie Sanders says
Me too!
Maryworley says
I made this salad, but I make layers….same ingredients. Everyone enjoyed it!
Jamie Sanders says
I bet that is pretty in a glass bowl. Do you serve it and then put the dressing on?
Tammy says
My mom used to make this, but used purple onion in it as well
Sherry F. says
I love this salad! The last time I made it I used taco flavored Doritos in place of the Fritos and I thought it was even better!
Kris says
Thanks, Jamie, for posting this recipe! I had forgotten all about it – loved it as kids 🙂 Have a great 4th of July!
Jamie Sanders says
I’ts so goo right? I originally posted this in 2011 (I left one of the original images at the very bottom.) We made it for fathers day this year, so I planned a head and got new photos!