Original Post: https://www.evolvingtable.com/healthy-taco-salad-mason-jar/
Taco Salad in a Jar
Taco Salad in a Jar is the easiest way to enjoy a fresh, crunchy lunch all week long. Layers of taco-seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, and a creamy salsa ranch dressing stay perfectly fresh until you're ready to shake and enjoy.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Large Non-Stick Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ¾ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
Taco Seasoning Mix
- 1 ½ tablespoons cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mason Jar Taco Salads
- ¼ cup salsa medium
- ¼ cup ranch dressing*
- 1 cup whole kernel corn rinsed and drained
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup tomatoes finely diced
- ½ cup cheddar cheese* shredded
- 1 large avocado cut into ½-inch cubes
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 20 corn tortilla chips crushed
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat add olive oil and chopped red onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until almost cooked through.1 tablespoon Olive oil, ¾ cup red onion
- Push onions to the side and add lean ground beef. Saute for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.1 pound lean ground beef
- While beef is cooking mix together cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.1 ½ tablespoons cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Once ground beef is done cooking, turn off heat and add seasoning ingredients. Mix to combine. Using a potato masher or the back of your fork, crumble the ground beef to your desired consistency.
- In a small bowl whisk together the salsa and ranch.¼ cup salsa, ¼ cup ranch dressing*
- In four 24-oz. wide mouth mason jars add equal amounts of the salsa-ranch, ground beef mixture, corn, beans, tomatoes, and cheese. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.1 cup whole kernel corn, 1 cup black beans, 1 cup tomatoes, ½ cup cheddar cheese*
- The morning before serving, add ¼ of the avocado, 1 cup of greens, and crushed corn tortilla chips.*1 large avocado, 4 cups mixed greens, 20 corn tortilla chips
- Shake mason jar well before pouring contents into a large salad bowl to enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Layer in this order: salsa ranch, beef, corn, beans, tomatoes, cheese. Add the avocado, greens, and crushed chips the morning you plan to eat each jar so they stay crisp.
- Let the beef cool before layering. Warm beef wilts everything above it.
- Make-ahead and storage: built through the cheese layer, the jars keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don't recommend freezing them.
- Dairy-free: use a dairy-free ranch and dairy-free shredded cheese. No other changes needed.
- Prefer warm beef? Tip the top layers into a bowl, warm the beef and dressing for about a minute, then combine.
- Nutrition is per jar (one serving), not for all four combined.
Nutrition
Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 895mg | Potassium: 1209mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2380IU | Vitamin C: 22.3mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 9mg
