Recipes

[BunSnoop]

About 30 years ago a woman I worked with would bring to the office for various luncheons a delicious taco salad.  I'm going to a party this weekend and was going through some old recipes and ran across the recipe she had given to me.

The salad consists of chopped lettuce, browned ground beef seasoned with a package of taco sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, olives, green goddess dressing and crumbled Dorito chips. 

(She mentions in the recipe not to add the Doritos until serving as they will otherwise get soggy).

It will take me about 45 minutes to get to the party and I'd estimate we'd be eating the meal a couple of hours later.

Do you think the salad will stay fresh for about 3 hours (I'll have it chilled) if I combine all of the ingredients except for the Doritos? 

Or do you think perhaps I also should not add the green goddess dressing and the Doritos until we're ready to eat?

If anyone else makes a salad similar to this and has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.  

Thank you!

[cjm61]

@BunSnoop I've made taco salads for events many times. I always have all the ingredients in individual containers then right before serving I combine them. It will be much better if you can do this as it does get soggy.

[Etoile308]

I like to make a version of taco salad similar to what Wendy's sells. 

Mine is chopped Roman lettuce and diced fresh tomatoes.Seasoned ground beef, or if really lazy just a small can of chili. Heat it and save to add as the last step. Shred sharp cheese, because that's what I like. Dot some sour cream then dot some salsa. Crumble whatever I have in the way of a corn chip. I avoid Fritos and Doritos because of the high salt content. I use a salsa dressing from Chick-fil--A or just a small amount of ranch.

I think it's one of those salads you can really play with and adjust to your taste. Adding any ingredients you want like sliced hard boiled eggs, or jalapeños, or green pepper or carrots. 

But I think if transporting the key is to combine everything at the last minute. So I would keep ingredients separate and combine just prior to serving.

[Texas Gray Wolf]

I would set the bottle of dressing out beside the chips and let the people put them on their salad as needed.  That way the salad and chips won't get soggy.  Btw, I use Catalina dressing & well-drained Ranch style beans to my taco salad.

[Sooner]

Ideally the hot meat would go on the cold salad greens.  I would put dressing on the side too, because we only dress it with lime juice and salsa.  Cheese also should be an add in because some don't do dairy or just don't want the fat.

I like Fritoes better as an add on too, and would keep that on the side so people can use as many or none as they like. Just do a salad bar!  

[Citrine1]

I love taco salad, but those I've eaten had always had hot (or at least warm) ground beef.  I don't think I'd care for it to be cold and mixed with the other ingredients.  To me, everthing should be put together at the last minute.  

[RedTop]

This salad is great fresh; combining anything prior to serving and eating ruins it.  I also prefer Catalina dressing on this salad.

[realronaldwarner]

That taco salad sounds delicious! You can definitely mix everything except the Doritos before you leave, and it should stay fresh for about 3 hours if you keep it chilled. However, I’d recommend adding the green goddess dressing right before serving too. That way, the salad stays crisp and the flavors stay fresh. Enjoy the party!

[Love my grandkids]

@BunSnoop Lots of good advice here. I personally *hate* olives and would not include them! and no green goddess dressing.