Zesty Southwest Taco Salad with a Creamy Citrus Drizzle
A Zero-Error 20-Minute Mexican-Style Bowl with a Medium Sweet & Spicy Glow
What makes this the most reliable taco salad? The secret to a mistake-proof Mexican bowl is the "Spice-to-Meat" direct contact method and the "Heat-Softened" cheese layering combined with Blazing Citrus Medium. Unlike soggy or bland salads, our method ensures the beef is intensely seasoned by draining fat before spicing, and we use the residual heat of the meat to melt the cheddar into a professional-grade finish. By whisking our vinegar-free Blazing Citrus Medium into the cream base, you add a Medium Spicy and Sweet intensity (6/10 Heat) that provides a bright citrus brightness and a smooth serrano kick without the need for heavy, acidic dressings.
Heat Level: Blazing Citrus | Medium (6/10) - Medium Spicy & Sweet
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories: 420
Protein: 28g
Carbs: 18g
Fat: 26g
*Nutrition facts may be estimated based on standard ingredient databases.
Ingredients:
1 lb (450 g) Lean ground beef (carne moída)
1 large head (300 g) Romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup (150 g) Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large (200 g) Avocado (abacate), sliced or cubed
1/2 cup (60 g) Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup (40 g) Red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup (120 ml) Sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 tbsp (15 ml) Extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 g) Chili powder
1 tsp (5 g) Ground cumin
1/2 tsp (2.5 g) Garlic powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 g) Sea salt
1 cup (30 g) Tortilla strips or crushed corn chips
1/4 cup (10 g) Fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
2 tbsp (30 ml) Blazing Citrus Medium Hot Sauce
Ingredient Spotlight: Romaine Lettuce vs. Iceberg
While iceberg provides a watery crunch, Romaine is vital for this taco salad because its sturdy leaves can support the weight of the warm meat (carne moída) and heavy toppings without wilting instantly. Romaine also offers a higher nutritional profile, including more Vitamin A and K, and its slightly bitter notes provide a sophisticated contrast to the sweet cherry tomatoes and salty cheese.
Heat It Up with Eleven Eleven Sauce: To add a balanced, everyday heat to your salad, whisk the Blazing Citrus Medium Hot Sauce into your sour cream or Greek yogurt to create a zesty dressing. This spicy citrus hot sauce for tacos features a grapefruit and orange base that beautifully highlights the earthy cumin in the beef. Using an all natural fruit-based hot sauce provides a bright, complex acidity that eliminates the need for a heavy, vinegar-based dressing.
The Balanced Sweet Heat Experience
Heat Level: 6/10
Vinegar Content: 0%
Flavor Profile: Medium Spicy, Sweet
Base: Organic Citrus
Calories: 10
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 30mg
Total Carbohydrates: 2g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 0g
Directions: Blazing Citrus Medium should be applied liberally to lighter fare where a balance of sweetness and heat is desired. Shake well to ensure the citrus blend is consistent. It is particularly effective as a glaze for seafood or a topping for street tacos. For the best flavor experience, apply the sauce toward the end of the cooking process or as a finishing touch to prevent the natural sugars from scorching. Refrigeration after opening will help preserve the delicate sweet-heat balance.
Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (carne moída) and break it apart with a spatula.
Cook the beef for 5–7 minutes until fully browned. Pro-Tip: Drain the excess fat from the pan before adding the spices; this ensures the seasoning sticks directly to the meat rather than being diluted by the oil, resulting in a more intense flavor.
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Add a splash of water (about 2 tablespoons) to help the spices coat the beef evenly. Simmer for 2 minutes and remove from heat.
In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the sour cream (or yogurt) and the Blazing Citrus Medium.
In four large bowls, create a base with the chopped romaine lettuce.
Layer the seasoned beef, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese over the lettuce. Pro-Tip: Place the warm beef directly onto the cheese; the residual heat will slightly soften the cheddar, creating a more cohesive and professional-tasting salad.
Top each bowl with fresh avocado (abacate) and a generous handful of tortilla strips for crunch.
Drizzle the citrus-infused cream dressing over the top and garnish with fresh coriander (cilantro). Serve immediately while the beef is still warm.
Tips & Variations:
Make it Heartier: Add a 15 oz (425 g) can of black beans or pinto beans (rinsed and drained) to the beef while it simmers with the spices. This increases the fiber content and adds a creamy, earthy texture that makes the salad even more filling for a main dinner course.
Regional Swap (Mediterranean): Transform the flavor profile by swapping the beef for grilled lamb and the cheddar for crumbled feta. Replace the tortilla strips with toasted pita chips and use a dressing made of tahini, lemon, and the WesMarMi Verde sauce for a bright, Greek-inspired twist.
Maintaining Crunch: If you are meal-prepping this salad, keep the warm beef and the dressing in separate containers. Only add the tortilla strips and the dressing at the very moment of serving to prevent the lettuce and chips from becoming soggy.
Smashed Avocado Alternative: Instead of slicing the avocado, smash it with a fork and a squeeze of lime juice before dolloping it onto the salad. This allows the creamy fat to act as a secondary "sauce" that binds the meat and vegetables together more effectively.
Choosing the Best Beef: For the best balance of flavor and health, use a 90% lean ground beef. It provides enough fat to carry the spices and remain juicy without leaving a greasy residue on the fresh lettuce.
Other Users Suggest:
Replacing: Ground beef.
New Measurement: 1 lb (450 g) Ground turkey or chicken.
Why: These lean poultry alternatives absorb the taco seasonings beautifully while significantly lowering the saturated fat content of the meal.
Replacing: Sour cream.
New Measurement: 1/2 cup (120 ml) Mashed silken tofu or vegan mayo.
Why: A perfect dairy-free alternative that maintains the creamy texture required to balance the spicy citrus notes of the hot sauce.
Storage, Reheat & Freeze:
Storage: Store the seasoned beef and the chopped vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat only the beef in a skillet or microwave before assembling the fresh salad.
Freeze: The seasoned beef can be frozen for up to 2 months; the fresh vegetables and dressing should not be frozen.
People Also Ask
Why is Romaine lettuce better for this salad than Iceberg? While iceberg provides a watery crunch, Romaine is vital because its sturdy leaves can support the weight of warm meat and heavy toppings without wilting instantly. It also offers a higher nutritional profile and a sophisticated bitter contrast to the sweet cherry tomatoes.
How do I make the taco seasoning stick better to the beef? The secret is to drain the excess fat from the pan beforeadding the spices. This allows the chili powder, cumin, and garlic to coat the meat directly rather than being diluted or washed away by the oil, resulting in a much more intense and savory flavor.
Why use a citrus hot sauce in the dressing instead of vinegar? Standard taco salads often use heavy, vinegar-based dressings that can overwhelm the fresh vegetables. Eleven Eleven Blazing Citrus Medium is 100% vinegar-free, using a grapefruit and orange juice base. This creates a "Medium Spicy & Sweet" dressing that highlights the earthy cumin in the beef while keeping the overall bowl light and vibrant.
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