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Restaurants›Willie Sue's. Sumter,S.C.›Taco Salad Recipe

Taco Salad Recipe

Name: Willie Sue's. Sumter,S.C.s Taco Salad Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tbs olive oil; 0.5 cup onion, finely chopped; 2 tsp garlic, minced; 1 tbs chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 0.75 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 1 tbs tomato paste (optional, for a saucier mix); 0.25 cup water; 6 cups romaine lettuce, washed and chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 2 tbs fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese; 0.75 cup guacamole; 0.5 cup salsa (mild or medium); 0.5 cup sour cream; 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed (for crunch) or whole for garnish; 2 each lime wedges; 2 tbs pickled jalapeños; 0.5 cup black beans, rinsed and drained; 0.5 cup corn kernels (fresh or thawed)

Inspired by Willie Sue's. Sumter,S.C.

Time30m

Serves4

Lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, shredded cheese, salsa, onions, sour cream and fresh seasoned ground beef or chicken.

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Ingredients

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Seasoned Ground Beef

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1 tbs olive oil

1/2 cup Onion, finely chopped

2 tsp Garlic, minced

1 tbs Chili powder

1 tsp Ground cumin

1/2 tsp Smoked paprika

1/2 tsp Dried oregano

3/4 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tbs tomato paste (optional, for a saucier mix)

1/4 cup water

Greens & Veggies

6 cups romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup Red onion, thinly sliced

2 tbs Fresh cilantro, chopped

Toppings

1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

3/4 cup Guacamole

1/2 cup salsa (mild or medium)

1/2 cup Sour cream

1 cup tortilla chips, crushed (for crunch) or whole for garnish

2 each Lime wedges

Optional Extras

2 tbs pickled jalapeños

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or thawed)

Method

Seasoned Ground Beef

Cook aromatics and brown beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. When shimmering, add the chopped onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Push aromatics to the side, add ground beef and break up with a spatula. Cook 5–7 minutes until beef is no longer pink and begins to brown.

Season and finish

Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt and black pepper. Mix until spices evenly coat the meat. If using tomato paste, add it now and stir. Pour in 1/4 cup water, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 2–3 minutes until juices reduce slightly and mixture is cohesive. Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Greens & Veggies

While beef cooks, prepare the salad base. Chop romaine into bite-size pieces and place in a large serving bowl. Halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, and chop cilantro. Scatter tomatoes and red onion over the lettuce and sprinkle cilantro on top. Toss gently to combine.

Toppings

Arrange shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa and sour cream in small bowls or dollop directly on the salad. Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the top for crunch. Place lime wedges around the bowl so diners can squeeze fresh lime juice over their portions.

If using optional extras, scatter black beans, corn and pickled jalapeños over the salad now.

Assembly & Serve

To serve family-style: Spoon the warm seasoned beef over the prepared lettuce and veggies. Add cheese, guacamole, salsa and sour cream in sections so guests can help themselves. Finish with tortilla chips and a squeeze of lime. Toss lightly before eating if desired.

To serve individual bowls: Divide lettuce mixture between 4 bowls, top each with an even portion of warm beef (about 4 oz each), then add cheese, spoon guacamole and salsa, and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with extra cilantro and a lime wedge.