When I cook my ground turkey for taco salad I make a couple of pounds at a time so I have leftovers to make nachos or have tacos the next day. I buy the seasoning mix in the commercial size containers at BJ's, where they carry the McCormick's brand of seasonings, but if you don't shop at BJ's you can buy the McCormick's Taco Seasoning that comes in the packets. Take note of the amount of ground beef/turkey you will need per packet. Also this salad is great to serve as a salad buffet allowing each individual to make their own. :D
This is what you will need:
2 pounds of ground turkey meat, (This will make 8 to 10 salads or save some for next day nachos!)
Whatever it calls for on the packet of McCormick's Taco Seasoning
3/4 cup water per every packet of seasoning
1 can for every two pounds of meat, Dark Red Kidney Beans
Your favorite brand of Tortilla Chips placed in the bottom of a rimmed bowl
Torn pieces of lettuce for each bowl of salad placed on top of the Tortilla Chips
Have all your garnishes chopped and in serving bowls, before the meat is done, allowing the salads to be made by each individual depending on what garnishes they like.
Cucumber quartered and sliced
Fresh green onion, chopped
Red onion, chopped
Celery stalks, chopped
Fresh Cow horn pepper, chopped (these are hot and optional!)
Cheddar or Mexican shredded cheese
Black Olives, sliced
Your favorite Salsa
Sour Cream
Guacamole
In a large non-stick skillet put your ground turkey meat and chop it up well as you simmer it on medium low. Turkey cooks fast so watch the heat and adjust accordingly. After browning meat, drain all excess fat off the meat and add the Taco seasoning and the water. Allow this to cook for about 10 minutes then add your beans and stir. Simmer on low until all water has been absorbed.
Now build your Taco salad! You should already have chips and a handful of torn pieces of lettuce in each bowl ready for the meat and garnishes of your choice. After I place chips and lettuce in the bowls, I add the celery, then red onion, cucumber, cow horn peppers, black olives, green onion, then once the meat and beans are cooked, add a serving spoonful to the top and sprinkle the cheese over the meat. This salad does not have a particular dressing because the salsa and sour cream serve as the dressing. Add salsa then sour cream and guacamole if you like. ~Enjoy~
