Healthy Taco Salad (Low Carb, Gluten-free)

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We’re probably smack in the middle of the hottest time of year right now. In my kitchen, that equals easy, one-pan dinners that avoid the oven and don’t require keeping the stove on for too long. Salads are perfect for checking those boxes, but of course you still need some protein in there to make it a full meal. That’s where this healthy taco salad recipe comes in.

You’ve probably seen taco salads at restaurants before, but in case you haven’t, it’s basically like an enormous Mexican taco in bowl form. No taco shell needed! Unlike most restaurant versions, my healthy taco salad is low carb and gluten-free. Salsa and sour cream stand in lieu of a dressing here, which works out surprisingly well.

Possibly the best part is that the whole thing incorporates just ten ingredients from start to finish. And, it’s on the table in merely twenty minutes. The only cooking involved is browning the ground beef on the stove for ten minutes or less. So simple.

This easy taco salad recipe also makes a generous amount – six large servings to feed even a larger family. But if you don’t need that many, don’t worry. It’s also super easy to adjust it to fewer servings if you need to.

If you have Mexican night at your house, this low carb taco salad will fit right in. When we do it, we often have the typical wraps and tacos (made low carb with my paleo, low carb tortillas) or spicy chicken cheddar nachos.

A taco salad is even easier than those, and it’s still packed with all your favorite Mexican flavors. The smoky seasoned browned beef, juicy grape tomatoes, creamy avocado and sour cream, crispy Romaine lettuce, sharp cheddar cheese, and spicy (or mild!) salsa are all combined to perfection. It’s pretty incredible what complex flavor you get, with multiple tastes in every bite, using so few ingredients. The pre-made taco seasoning and salsa definitely help in that department.

Any salsa variety you like will work great here, and choosing different kinds is an easy way to get creative without adding complexity. Use mild salsa if you want it mellow, spicy if you want a kick, or go outside the box with more unique flavors like green chile or peach. You can totally make your own, too, but salsa is one of those foods that actually has plenty of store bought options without weird ingredients. Just read those labels.

You can easily customize this healthy taco salad to your liking. Feel free to throw in any other veggies you have on hand, or omit anything you don’t like.

To make it paleo, you can omit the cheddar cheese and replace the sour cream with coconut cream and a little sea salt. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a 20-minute all-in-one dinner. Make it tonight and dig in!

Healthy Taco Salad (Low Carb, Gluten-free):
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Easy Taco Salad (Low Carb, Gluten-free)

This easy, gluten-free, low carb, and healthy taco salad recipe is like a beef taco in a bowl. Just 10 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes!

Servings	Prep Time	Cook Time
servings	10 minutes	10 minutes

Easy Taco Salad (Low Carb, Gluten-free) This easy, gluten-free, low carb, and healthy taco salad recipe is like a beef taco in a bowl. Just 10 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes! Servings Prep Time Cook Time servings 10 minutes 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 tsp Avocado oil (or any oil of choice)
• 1 tbsp Taco seasoning (store-bought or home-made)
• 8 oz Romaine lettuce (chopped)
• 1 1/3 cup Grape tomatoes (halved)
• 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 medium Avocado (cubed)
• 1/2 cup Scallions (chopped)
• 1/3 cup Salsa (your favorite)
• 1/3 cup Sour cream

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add ground beef. Stir fry, breaking up the pieces with a spatula, for about 7-10 minutes, until the beef is browned and moisture has evaporated.
2. Stir taco seasoning into the ground beef until well combined.
3. Meanwhile, combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add the ground beef. Toss everything together.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 332 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 25g 38%

Total Carbohydrates 9g 3%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 2g

Protein 20g 40%

Vitamin A 59%

Vitamin C 33%

Calcium 16%

Iron 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Net carbs per serving: 5g

*Nutrition information is estimated based on 85/15 ground beef and typical tomato salsa.

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Want more spicy low carb, gluten-free ideas? Try these:

Beef Taco Skillet with Veggies (Paleo, Low Carb)

Low Carb Nachos with Spicy Chicken & Cheddar (Gluten-free)

Low Carb Quesadillas with Cauliflower (Gluten-free)