Tex-Mex Taco Salad

From EatingWell: EatingWell Serves Two

This version of the chain-restaurant favorite has fresh flavors and a healthy nutritional profile. Vary the heat by varying the type of salsa you use. Baked corn tortilla chips and lime wedges are natural accompaniments.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I doubled the recipe for a family of 4 (with 2 teens) and everyone LOVED it! I added a bit of taco seasoning mix to give it more flavour after reading some of the other comments. My kids are picky eaters so I wasn't sure if they'd go for...

2 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

Ingredients

1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon canola oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces lean ground beef or turkey
1 large plum tomato, diced
1/2 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed (see Tips for Two)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Preparation

Combine salsa and sour cream in a large bowl.
Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add beef (or turkey) and cook, stirring often, until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomato, beans, cumin, chili powder and salt; cook, stirring, until the tomato begins to break down, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in cilantro and 2 tablespoons of the salsa mixture.
Add lettuce to the remaining salsa mixture and toss to coat. Divide the lettuce between 2 plates, top with the cooked meat and sprinkle with cheese.

Tips & Notes

Tips for Two: Refrigerate leftover beans for up to 3 days. Toss with a green salad or into soup for extra protein; mash with garlic powder and chopped fresh herbs for a quick dip.

Nutrition

Per serving: 343 calories; 13 g fat ( 5 g sat , 3 g mono ); 81 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrates; 32 g protein; 8 g fiber; 851 mg sodium; 737 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (150% daily value), Vitamin C (70% dv), Zinc (30% dv), Iron (25% dv), Potassium (21% dv).

Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 vegetable, 4 lean meat

More From EatingWell

Tofu Four Ways

According to a 2005 study by the U.S. Soybean Board, 30...

Quick Tofu Dinner Recipes

What do cheese and tofu have in common? More than you might...

Vegetarian Dinner Salad Recipes

For a lighter option for dinner tonight, try making a quick...

Healthy Summer Dessert Recipes

Celebrate summer with our summer dessert recipes made with...
Good Skin Foods: Healthy Recipes for Glowing Skin

Sunscreen helps keep your skin healthy and beautiful,...

Black Bean Recipes

Black beans are a healthy, affordable and versatile...

Easy Coffee Recipes

The health perks of coffee only add to it's appeal for coffee...

Easy Salmon Recipes

Whether grilled, seared, broiled, baked or made into burgers...
Easy Broccoli Recipes

Whether you’re serving broccoli as a side dish, in a soup,...

Fresh Peach Recipes

Fresh, juicy peaches are a healthy addition to sweet recipes...

9 Healthy Plum Recipes

Make the most of fresh summer plums in both savory and sweet...

Easy, Healthy Grapefruit Recipes

Grapefruit can add a healthy and refreshing flavor to entrees...
Fresh Lemon Recipes

Our healthy lemon recipes are bursting with the bright,...

Fresh Recipes for Oranges

The citrus flavor of oranges brightens many dishes from main...

Fresh Citrus Recipes

Citrus fruit, such as grapefruit, lemons, limes and oranges,...

Recipes for Cancer-Fighting Fruit

Peaches and plums are a delicious addition to many easy...