Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

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. 

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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.)

1. 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.
2. Remove from heat and drain if needed.  
3. In a large bowl, add all the ingredients to the salad and mix everything together.
   
4. Combine well, making sure everything is coated with the dressing.
   
5. 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

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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