Taco Salad with Cheese Quesadilla Croutons and Cilantro Lime Dressing

 

Taco salad is one of those dishes that can be served wildly different each time and yet...it will be just as delicious each and every time.

Normally I like to serve my taco salad with crushed tortilla chips on top in lieu of serving in a tortilla shell. This time around I married two recipes I found on the How Sweet Eats website. I created a blend of Our Favorite Taco Salad with her Chopped Chicken Taco Salad with Cheese Quesadilla Strips to create my very own Taco Salad with Cheese Quesadilla Croutons and Cilantro Lime Dressing!

I mean how can we go wrong here?

The thing is, with exception to the recipe for the Cilantro Lime Dressing, there are no amounts here. The salad portion of the recipe is whatever you want it to be. 

I was snowed in this week, so I'm going with what I had on hand. A base of Romaine lettuce mixed with a little bit of cilantro. Ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning. Guacamole, chopped tomato, and some straight up red onion. Some people like the pickled red onions. I like mine just straight up. 

Then I'm topping the salad with some cheese quesadilla croutons made with white corn tortillas and plain old cheddar cheese, but the quesadilla could be any type of cheese quesadilla you'd like to make. Use flour tortilla, use Chihuahua cheese or Oaxaca. Just go with what you have on hand because you can't go wrong.

The Taco Salad is getting topped with a light and refreshing Cilantro Lime Dressing that has a little zip and zest to it in order to bring the whole salad to life.

It's a thing of beauty, it's somewhat healthy, and it's delicious! Make a version and find out for yourself!

Taco Salad with Cheese Quesadilla Croutons and Cilantro Lime Dressing

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 1-4*

ground turkey or beef, cooked with taco seasoning

chopped romaine lettuce

chopped tomatoes

corn

sliced green onions

pickled onions, or onions

avocado or guacamole

cheese

beans 

corn tortillas

cheese

butter/oil

Cilantro Lime Dressing

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

1-1/2 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

To Make the Cilantro Lime Dressing: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and allow the flavors to come together while you prepare the salad.

To Make The Taco Salad: Cut and wash all the produce and arrange the salad ingredients in a bowl. Cook the ground beef or turkey with the taco seasoning. Make the cheese quesadilla and cut into crouton shapes. Place the seasoned meat and the cheese quesadilla croutons on top of the salad and drizzle with the Cilantro Lime Dressing. Enjoy! 

Cheese, Glorious Cheese @ I Heart Cooking Clubs!