Description
This vibrant Taco Salad Flag is a festive and flavorful dish perfect for patriotic celebrations like July 4th. Featuring seasoned ground beef, crisp romaine lettuce, black beans with sour cream stars, and alternating stripes of grape tomatoes and shredded cheeses, this layered salad combines classic Mexican-American flavors with a creative presentation that delights both the eyes and palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 3/4 cup water
Salad Base and Toppings
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion (optional)
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease, then stir in the taco seasoning mix and water. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let the beef cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: On a large rectangular platter or sheet pan, evenly spread the chopped romaine lettuce to create the base layer of the salad.
- Create the Star Field: In the upper left corner of the lettuce base, arrange the black beans into a square shape to represent the stars on the flag.
- Form the Sour Cream Stars: Using a piping bag or spoon, add small dollops of sour cream over the black beans to resemble the stars in the flag’s star field.
- Make the Stripes: Form red and white stripes across the remaining lettuce base by alternating rows of halved grape tomatoes (red stripes) and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses (white stripes). Use cheddar cheese for the red stripes and Monterey Jack cheese for the white stripes to add contrast.
- Top with Beef and Chips: Scatter the taco-seasoned ground beef across the grape tomato stripes to add flavor and texture. Just before serving, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips evenly over the entire salad for crunch.
- Serve: Optionally, serve with additional sour cream or salsa on the side for extra flavor enhancements.
Notes
- Customize this salad with additional toppings such as avocado, corn, or jalapeños to suit your taste.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and substitute with extra black beans or grilled vegetables.
- Verify that the taco seasoning and tortilla chips are gluten-free if you require a gluten-free diet.
- Use a piping bag or a small spoon to neatly create the sour cream stars for better presentation.
