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Fresh Frito salad with crunchy corn chips, colorful veggies, and creamy dressing

Frito Salad: The Best Easy & Crunchy Tex-Mex Recipe

This Frito Salad is a bold, crowd-pleasing dish packed with crunch, flavor, and nostalgia. Ground beef, crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and crunchy corn chips come together with a zesty Catalina dressing to create the ultimate Tex-Mex-inspired salad. It’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love!

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large salad bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix (about 1 oz)

  • ¾ cup water

  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup chopped red onion (optional)

  • 1 (9.25 oz) bag Fritos corn chips

  • 1 cup Catalina dressing

  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked.

  • Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  • In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and red onion.

  • Add the seasoned beef to the salad and toss gently.

  • Right before serving, add Fritos and drizzle with Catalina dressing. Toss everything to coat evenly.

 

  • Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, skip the ground beef and use black beans or plant-based crumbles.

  • Don’t mix in the Fritos until just before serving to keep them crunchy.

 

  • Catalina can be swapped with French dressing or ranch for a flavor twist.

  • Author: Amanda
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 730mg
  • Fat: 29g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: Frito Salad, Taco Salad, Easy Potluck Salad, Tex-Mex Salad, Ground Beef Salad, Catalina Dressing