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Low Carb Taco Salad Recipe

Published / Updated / 15 Comments

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This low carb taco salad recipe is healthy, easy to make, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes. It's loaded with delicious southwest flavors!

close-up of low carb taco salad in a white bowl

This low-carb beef taco salad recipe really hit the spot for me. It's been ages since I've had a taco salad with ground beef. And guess what? I didn't even miss the tortilla chips. There's plenty of flavor and crunch in here without it.

The taco salad dressing is simply sour cream, the adobo sauce that comes in a can of chipotle chilis, and some fresh lime juice. It tastes amazing with the other ingredients!

low-carb southwest beef taco salad with avocado in a bowl

What's in taco salad?

This easy taco salad recipe includes:

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Extra lean ground beef
  • Tomatoes
  • Red onions
  • Cheese (you can use just cheddar but I used a Mexican shredded cheese blend that includes cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso quesadilla cheeses)
  • Avocado
  • A homemade sour-cream based chipotle dressing
  • An easy homemade spice blend similar to taco seasoning that you can buy

I left out the tortilla chips - this saves carbs and calories.

I think you'll love this smoky chipotle taco salad recipe. I love how fast it comes together, and we've only got healthy real-food ingredients in here. Definitely one of my favorite comfort foods.

ground beef with southwest seasoning in a skillet

How do you make taco salad low-carb?

You don't really have to make too many changes to make a taco salad low-carb. I omitted the tortilla chips that are sometimes included in taco salad recipes. I actually don't miss them at all, and I find that the onions and lettuce give it enough crunch.

I also left out beans, which you sometimes see in taco salad recipes.

I used a few spices to make my own homemade taco seasoning for this salad, but if you're in a rush or don't have the individual spices, you can use taco seasoning instead.

You may also like my low-carb taco bowls, these low-carb taco zucchini boats, my beef taco soup, or to browse my other low-carb recipes. Don't mind the carbs? Try my regular beef taco salad recipe.

bowl of southwest taco salad beside small dressing bowl with a spoon and lime wedges

Hope you love this low-carb ground beef taco salad recipe!

Questions? Ask me in the comments below.

This low-carb taco salad recipe is healthy, easy to make, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes. This beef taco salad is loaded with delicious southwest flavors! A clean eating recipe that's perfect for meal prep. 

Low-Carb Taco Salad Recipe

This low-carb taco salad recipe is healthy, easy to make, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes. It's packed with delicious southwest flavors! 
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4
Calories 415 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 medium red onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup Mexican shredded cheese blend
  • 1 avocado chopped
  • 1 cup little tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.) halved
  • 1 small head romaine lettuce torn into bite-size pieces

Dressing:

  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (see note)
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add the olive oil, beef, and spices to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, using a spoon to break the meat up into smaller pieces (and stir often), for around 7 minutes or until it's cooked through. 
  • Meanwhile, prep your other salad ingredients and add them to a large salad bowl. 
  • Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk them together. 
  • Once the ground beef is cooked, sprinkle it over the salad. Add dressing and toss. Serve immediately. 

Notes

  • Adobo sauce is the sauce that's in those little cans of chipotle chilis with adobo sauce (find these in the Mexican aisle at the grocery store). The dressing was semi-spicy when I used 1 tbsp of the sauce. It gives the dressing a wonderful smoky flavor. Add more if you want it hotter. Chop up a pepper or two if you want it really spicy! 
  • If you don't want to use the individual spices like I did, you can use pre-made taco seasoning if you prefer.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of recipeCalories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 30gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 995mgPotassium: 863mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1749IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 170mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Low-carb taco salad recipe
Author Natasha Bull

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    • Natasha says

      Hi Kim! I just added the full nutrition info for you (I didn't have the option when I first published the post).

      Reply

  4. Matt Robinson says

    I grew up with 8 siblings, so my mom made us taco salad all the time. Absolutely love this version!

    Reply

  6. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    5 stars
    I think besides Caesar salads, taco salads are my favorite! This looks fabulous!

    Reply