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Easy Keto Taco Salad Bowl Recipe with Crispy Ground Beef

keto taco salad bowl - featured image

A quick, flavorful keto-friendly taco salad bowl featuring crispy ground beef, fresh veggies, and a creamy lime dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights and low-carb diets.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
  • 4 cups (about 120 g) mixed salad greens (romaine, baby spinach, or spring mix)
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ½ cup (60 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup (35 g) sliced black olives (optional)
  • 3 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt (full fat)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (10 minutes): Rinse and dry salad greens. Halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, and dice avocado. Set aside shredded cheese and olives if using.
  2. Make the Dressing (5 minutes): Whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning and set aside.
  3. Cook the Crispy Ground Beef (15 minutes): Heat olive or avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up gently. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly over the meat.
  4. Cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes to brown and crisp the bottom. Stir and continue cooking for another 8 minutes, breaking meat into small pieces until browned and crispy but not dry. Add a splash of water or more oil if pan gets too dry or sticky.
  5. Assemble the Salad Bowl (5 minutes): Place mixed greens in a large bowl or individual bowls. Top with crispy ground beef, cherry tomatoes, red onions, avocado, cheese, and olives.
  6. Drizzle the Dressing: Spoon creamy lime dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss lightly or leave layered for presentation.
  7. Final Touch (Optional): Sprinkle extra fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking beef to ensure crispiness. Let beef sit undisturbed to brown properly. Drain excess grease to avoid a greasy salad. Store beef and salad components separately to maintain texture. Reheat beef in skillet to restore crispiness. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and omit cheese or use vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: keto, taco salad, low-carb, ground beef, crispy beef, keto salad bowl, quick dinner, healthy, gluten-free