Welcome to yumy24. Courtney here, from Sweet C ‘n A — your source for the healthy and desirable in mouth-watering recipes that feed both body & soul. Well my friends, today we’re taking a staple and flipping the garnished page to our Healthy Taco Salad!! That is unless we are talking about this recipe, which tastes like a taco in all the ways you love but with much fewer calories. Full of fresh veggies, lean protein, and a punchy taste this one is just the job for when you are craving something but also want to eat well.
So, Why a Healthier Taco Salad?
Tacos are always a fave, but they can be full of unhealthy fats and unnecessary carbs, along with many processed ingredients transported from very far away. And if you can pronounce that, well, it tastes even better (cue the Healthy Taco Salad!). This salad has all the flavors of a delicious taco, but without any of that fried business when you eat out at those unhealthy Mexican restaurants. By using fresh whole ingredients and leaving off that super salty seasoning packet while nixing the traditional taco shell for what is essentially colorfully diced lettuce.
Benefits of the Healthy Taco Salad:
Carb Friendly – Without the tortilla shells, this salad is a great choice to order if you are watching your carb intake.
High in Protein: Made with lean ground turkey or chicken, beans, and Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream) this salad is loaded with protein.
Brimming with Veggies: You love the crunch of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and fresh veggies—you get all that fiber plus essential nutrients in this salad.
Weeknight Dinner: This is great for those busy days that require a nutritious meal on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Healthy taco salad ingredients
The possibilities with this recipe are wonderful. Change stuff around to accommodate what you have or use toppings that harmonize with your palette.
Salad Base:
4 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens
A punnet of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed drained
1/2 avocado, sliced or diced
115 g (1/2 cup) corn kernels, fresh or frozen, thawed to room temp
1/4 cup red bell pepper chopped
1/4 c. thinly sliced red onion
Optional: 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
For the Protein:
1 lb ground turkey or chicken (or any kind of plant-based protein for veggies)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 4 oz, a packet of low-sodium taco seasoning (or a homemade mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder,, and paprika)
Toppings (Optional):
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Alternatives to Sour Cream 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt — a healthy sour cream)
2 tablespoons salsa or fresh pico de gallo
Yoplime juice of one Lime 1 tbsp
Several Tortilla chips (if you like your soup to be crunchier)
Healthy Taco Salad Recipe
- Cook the Protein
First heat the olive oil in a skillet at medium flame. Stir in the turkey or chicken, breaking up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat starts to brown, stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes, until the flavors come together. Let cool a bit before you try it out.
- Prepare the Salad Base
Romaine lettuce or mixed greens, for the base (in a large salad bowl) Cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels (these happen to be my favorite from Trader Joe’s), red bell pepper, avocado, and a little red onion go on top. Laibao is a rainbow of signals and nutrients on your plate, sourceMappingURL=which provides all colors sa.
- Assemble the Salad
And once your protein is cooked, add it to the plate over the salad base. If desired, add shredded cheddar to finish it up and then garnish with fresh cilantro for some herb flair.
- Add the Toppings
To finish up this salad, just add a dollop of Greek yogurt and some salsa/pico de gallo on top and drizzle with lime juice. Sprinkle some crushed tortilla chips on top if you want a little crunch. A bowl filled with the colorful flavors of tacos!
Build the Perfect Healthy Taco Salad
And, the best part is that this really can be changed up for your likes if you want a chili lime taco salad instead of buffalo ranch. Whether living that no-meat life, ddairy-freefree or just in need of more protein there are endless possibilities with this recipe.
- Vegetarian or Vegan Option
To make this salad vegan/vegetarian, simply replace the meat with some tofu, tempeh or even roasted chickpeas. You can also sub for vegan cheese or skip it.
- Make It Dairy-Free
You will not want to miss the cheddar cheese, but for a dairy-free version — just omit it or swap the Greek yogurt with your favorite non-dairy unsweetened plain yogurt. The fresh veggies as well as the protein-packed beans will still help fulfill all your hunger and flavor struggles.
- Boost the Protein
Looking to add more protein? Another way is to add grilled chicken breast and shrimp, and instead of the same salad put a boiled egg as well. It would also be a good way to use even more black beans or something similar such as lentils for veLow-Carb Option you are low carb, the only thing it entails is cutting back or eliminating black beans and corn (they have a bit higher carbs) and then just adding more electrolyte-rich veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers & radishes. Or use crushed pork rinds as the tortilla chip if you like to keep it low-carb and add a little crunch.
Healthy Taco Salad for Health
This taco salad is so flavorful and super healthy with all the nutrients that will make you feel good.
High in Fiber
Black beans + fresh veggies + leafy greens = tons of fiber (and good digestion) The fiber will help you stay fuller longer and satisfied, so this is a fantastic salad for weight management.
Lean Protein
Lean ground turkey or chicken serves as the protein but because it is lean, your salad stays nice and light so you can fill up on other awesome stuff with room left for plenty of good quality protein. It is a protein found in muscle repair,r, immune function, and hair growth Resource.coreStrength went out!
Healthy Fats
Avocado and olive oil are a source of heart-healthy fats, which your body needs to absorb fat-soluble vitamins sustaining the health of both the brain and cardiovascular system. These healthy fats aid in staving off hunger and help you to feel satiated once your meal is over.
Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are in n high quantities vegetables of this salad and all dietitians agree that those help to to to prevent daminine free radicals on your body. Toma, toes, bell peppers, and red onions are all good sources of an array of vitamins and minerals that help you improve overall health.
How to Serve and Store
Healthy Taco Salad is best served as soon as it’s made, butit it if you’re making in advance, the components can be stored separately. Place just the lettuce in one container, chicken or , protein on its own, and then use tiny containers for things like dressing if you can. Combine all just before the ore serving for the best flavors.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container outside for up to 2 days and when stored in the fridge, enjoy within two too. However, be sure to keep the dressing and toppings separate so you do not end up with soggy salad.Try You Need to try the Healthy Taco Salad
But the Healthy Taco Salad is something else entirely: a hearty and colorful dish that hits spot-satisfying spot-satisfying notes without getting bogged down in the guilt.A perfect salad as a quick lu ,nch, hearty dinner or bring it to your next gathering for all of the picky friends.
This salad is all about the right balance of taste and nutrition with fiber-rich protein, fiber-rich veggies & healthy fats. Not to mention: it is quick, customizable, and bursting with fresh vibrant flavors that will make you feel better.
Final Thoughts
At yumy24. Here at ketogasm.com, we know that clean eating does not have to taste like a chore! To the doubters out there, our Hwy. 61 Healthy Taco Salad is living proof you can have your taco and eat it too! Let us know how you enjoy this recipe and any other fun ways to customize it!
