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Recipes Salads

Turkey Taco Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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Author:

Erin

Published:

January 18, 2024

Updated:

January 18, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for details.

This Turkey Taco Salad has been my go-to meal prep salad for years! The recipe has evolved slightly and this post captures the latest evolution – the addition of a homemade Avocado Ranch Dressing and more sauce for the turkey – but the core remains the same. I used to stick primarily to romaine lettuce as a base to this one, but I feel like there is more flavor (and substance) when using green leaf lettuce.

  • Avocado Ranch Dressing
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Topping Ideas
  • Meal Prep Tips
  • Shop for This Recipe
  • Recipe
    • Turkey Taco Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing
    • More Hearty Salad Recipes

What’s your favorite way to make a taco salad?

serve it with:

Avocado Ranch Dressing

Classic buttermilk ranch dressing gets a zesty twist with the addition of cilantro, lime, and creamy avocado in this easy homemade Avocado Ranch Dressing recipe.

recipe

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s what you need to recreate this Turkey Taco Salad at home!

  • Lettuce – I personally prefer green leaf lettuce for most of my salads since it has lots of flavor and holds up well in meal prep, but romaine hearts are my second choice.
  • Ground turkey – I used to make this recipe primarily with 99% lean ground turkey, but recently have been going with the 94% since that extra bit of fat keeps the turkey nice and juicy, especially when meal prepped. You could also use ground beef for this recipe, I’d recommend a 93% or 94% grind, but wouldn’t go higher in fat content for beef.
  • Taco skillet sauce – For years I’ve been using the Frontera Ground Beef Taco Seasoning Sauce but have been having a really hard time finding it lately. I’ve had good luck using the Ortega Taco Skillet Sauce instead and can easily find it at my grocery store and Target. I love how easy it is to flavor the ground turkey using these packets of sauce! I haven’t tried it myself, but this sauce might be a good sub if you want to make something yourself.
  • Corn – Fresh grilled corn cut right off the cob tastes best, but for convenience I will often just use frozen sweet corn kernels in my meal prep.
  • Tomatoes – I usually use cherry or grape tomatoes since they hold up well for meal prep, but if you’re serving this right away, chopped up Roma tomatoes would be perfect! You could also use a chunky fresh salsa instead to save time and add more flavor.
  • Black beans – I’m a big fan of black beans on this salad because they make it feel more hearty, plus they add a bunch of fiber and some extra protein. You can always skip them if you don’t like them.
  • Red onion – Raw or pickled red onions are great on a taco salad. I don’t always include them, but I always love them when I do!
  • Tortilla strips – I love the crunch of added tortilla strips on top of this salad. I prefer the kind you get in the salad toppings aisle since they have extra seasonings and are perfectly sized/shaped for on a salad, but you could always crush up some tortilla chips in a pinch.

more taco salad

Topping Ideas

The possibilities are endless when it comes to topping a taco salad, so here are some more ideas for inspiration!

  • Cheese, shredded or crumbled cotija
  • Red onions, pickled or raw
  • Jalapeños, pickled or raw
  • Olives
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Guacamole
  • Salsa
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Meal Prep Tips

Add a piece of paper towel under your lettuce to help absorb any excess moisture and keep things fresh and crispy! Black beans can go right on top of the lettuce – so long as you’ve drained them well, they won’t make the lettuce soggy. I always serve this salad with tortilla strips on top, but I keep those out of the refrigerator so they stay crispy. 

salad prep tips

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12″ Skillet

Spatulas

Salad Spinner

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Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Turkey Taco Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 25 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
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Hearty taco salad made with high protein ground turkey paired with corn, black beans, tomatoes, and topped with Avocado Ranch Dressing.
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 94% lean ground turkey, (0.45 kg)
  • 7 oz Ortega Taco Skillet Sauce, (198 grams)
  • 10 cups green leaf lettuce, chopped, (360 grams)
  • 1 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, (160 grams)
  • 1 1/3 cup low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed, (173 grams)
  • 1 1/3 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, (160 grams)
  • 3/4 cup Avocado Ranch Dressing, (216 grams)
  • 1 cup Fresh Gourmet Santa Fe Style Tortilla Strips, (56 grams)
  • 1/2 cup red onion, sliced or chopped, (64 grams)
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil, (7 grams)
  • 1 tsp Oh My Spice! Spicy Fajita Seasoning

Instructions

  • Layer lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, red onions, and corn in 4 serving dishes.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add ground turkey and season with fajita seasoning. Continue to cook, breaking apart with a wooden spatula until nearly cooked through, then add skillet sauce and finish cooking.
  • Serve over salad, then top with Avocado Ranch Dressing and tortilla strips before serving.

Tips & Tricks

Click here or scan the barcode below to log this food WITH Avocado Ranch Dressing into My Fitness Pal. Click here or scan the 2nd barcode to log it WITHOUT Avocado Ranch Dressing.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 470kcal (24%), Carbohydrates: 44g (15%), Protein: 38g (76%), Fat: 19g (29%), Cholesterol: 65mg (22%), Sodium: 966mg (42%), Potassium: 716mg (20%), Fiber: 9g (38%), Sugar: 7g (8%)

Did You Make This?

If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my business thrive & continue providing free recipes. You can also tag me on Instagram at @peanutbutterandfitness so I can see your creations!

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About Erin

Erin is the author behind Peanut Butter and Fitness. She started this website in 2013 as a way to keep track of her favorite healthier kitchen creations and meal preps. Today, she still loves playing with her food and camera while helping others strike a balance between indulgence and well-being.

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I like to describe PBF as a healthy eating blog with a dollop of indulgence. Here you’ll find high protein and veggie-packed meals with a side of cocktails and desserts.

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