Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
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This Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing is hands down the best Frito salad recipe out there! It 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 would be perfect. It’s such a great salad recipe that it always gets polished off whenever I take it to a potluck.
With the holiday weekend coming up, I figured wasn’t 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 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 who will try anything and another who 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: add the package of taco seasoning 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 Add all the ingredients: to a large bowl and mix together.
3 Add the dressing: Combine well, making sure everything is coated. Top with extra Fritos and desired extra toppings. Serve immediately!
Recipe Tips
- For the beef: Keep the ground beef slightly chunky when browning. Those bigger pieces soak up the taco seasoning for a more satisfying bite.
- Romaine vs. iceberg: Romaine adds a little more crunch, but iceberg is a classic if you’re going for that retro vibe. Either works!
- Add the dressing right before serving: To keep the Fritos crunchy, mix everything together (dressing included) just before it hits the table. No sad soggy chips here!
- Tacos for everyone: Set up a “taco salad bar” if you’re feeding picky eaters. Lay out all the ingredients for assembling their own plates—everyone wins.
- Sneaky greens: Want to pack in more veggies? Toss in some chopped bell peppers or cucumber.
Variations
- Meatless Mondays: Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or double up on the beans for a vegetarian twist.
- Spicy kick: If you’re a spice fan, add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper to the mix.
- Upgrade the cheese: Shredded pepper jack or crumbled cotija adds a little something extra.
- Change up the dressing: While I prefer the sweet and tangy taste of the Catalina dressing for this salad, many people swear by a salsa and sour cream mixture for their dressing. If you think the Catalina dressing sounds weird or you’ve never tried it, I thoroughly recommend purchasing a small bottle and giving it a try.
- Taco upgrade: Swap Fritos for Doritos for extra flavor (Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese both taste great here!).
Storage Suggestions
- If you have leftovers, the prepared salad will keep in the fridge for about a day before it is too wilted to eat. You can store the ingredients seperately, in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Meal prep: Prep all the ingredients in advance, but don’t mix in the Fritos or dressing until it’s mealtime. This is great if you’re packing lunches.
FAQs
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
Did You Make This Frito Taco Salad Recipe?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!
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)
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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
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- Easy Loaded Baked Potato Soup for One (in the microwave)
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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.
Look up 60’s catalina dressing recipe
online.dere6
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!
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”.
Made this for my bunco group last week, it was amazing. Even had people asking for the recipe.
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.
It must be a southern thing as this recipe has bee around for decades.
My favorite potluck salad!
This is a great dish, my whole Family and everybody at my work loves it and never seconds.
So yummy!! My mother-in-law has a really similar recipe…we love it!!
Yum! This looks like a great side dish to bring to a barbecue or picnic! Pinning!
Looks yummy…bet it was!
My mom always made this salad, oh this brings back great memories!! Sharing on Pinterest and Twitter 🙂
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Sounds delicious!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
I love this salad! I use grilled chicken in mine sometimes, too.
This looks amazing! I am pretty sure I am going to be making it soon!
I have seen a recipe like this before and every time I do I think to myself I need to try it! T
I’ve made this for 40 years it’s always a hit I just love it
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! 🙂
This looks wonderful! Pinned for later. Thanks
Sounds great! I'll take it to my next family gathering! Thanks! Have a wonderful weekend!
yum!
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!
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.