Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No cooking required after the beef—just layer and serve
- Feeds 6-8 people with minimal effort
- Stunning visual presentation in a clear glass bowl
- Every scoop is a perfect bite of flavors and textures
- Make-ahead friendly—layers hold up beautifully
- Completely customizable with your favorite toppings
- Budget-friendly using pantry staples and easy ingredients
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing at every table
- No dressing to make—sour cream and salsa do the work
- Perfect for potlucks, parties, or weeknight dinners
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 head iceberg or romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup salsa (your favorite kind)
- Optional: Crushed tortilla chips for bottom layer and topping
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Large clear glass bowl or 9×13 inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Can opener
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander (for rinsing beans)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Seasoned Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart into small crumbles with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Keep breaking it up until it’s completely browned with no pink remaining. Drain off any excess grease so you don’t end up with a greasy layer in your salad. Stir in the taco seasoning and about ¼ cup of water, then simmer for 5-7 minutes until the liquid absorbs and the sauce is thick and flavorful. Let it cool slightly before layering—this prevents it from wilting your lettuce.
Step 2: Prep All Your Layers
While the beef is cooling, get everything else ready. Chop your lettuce into bite-sized pieces, dice your tomatoes (drain excess juice if they’re very wet), drain and rinse your black beans thoroughly, and slice your olives if they aren’t pre-sliced. Get your shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa measured and ready. Having everything prepped before you start layering makes the whole assembly process smooth and satisfying.
Step 3: Choose Your Vessel
Get out your large clear glass bowl—this is where the magic happens. The clear sides let everyone see all those gorgeous layers before you dig in, which makes it infinitely more impressive. If you don’t have a large clear bowl, a 9×13 inch glass baking dish works beautifully for a flat, casserole-style presentation.
Step 4: Build Your Beautiful Layers
Now the fun part. Start with a layer of crushed tortilla chips on the bottom for a crunchy foundation. Then add the seasoned ground beef in an even layer, followed by the drained black beans. Next comes the chopped lettuce, then the diced tomatoes, then the shredded cheddar cheese. Finish with the sliced black olives as your final savory layer. Try to keep each layer as distinct and even as possible so everyone gets a little of everything in each scoop.
Step 5: Add the Dressing Duo
Dollop spoonfuls of sour cream all over the top of the olive layer, then add spoonfuls of salsa in between the sour cream dollops. You can swirl them together gently with a spoon for a pretty marbled effect, or leave them as distinct patches of white and red. Either way looks gorgeous and tastes incredible.
Step 6: Final Crunch and Serve
If you’re serving immediately, sprinkle a handful of crushed tortilla chips over the very top for extra crunch and visual appeal. If you’re making this ahead, wait to add the chips until right before serving so they don’t get soggy. Bring the whole glorious bowl to the table, grab a big spoon, and scoop all the way down to get every single layer in each serving.
Pro Tips
- Let the beef cool before layering. Hot beef will wilt the lettuce and make everything soggy. Give it at least 10-15 minutes to cool after cooking.
- Drain your tomatoes. If your diced tomatoes are very juicy, let them drain in a colander for a few minutes before adding to avoid watery layers.
- Use a clear bowl. The visual impact of those distinct colorful layers is half the appeal. A clear glass bowl transforms this from a regular salad into a showstopper.
- Add chips right before serving. If you add them too early, they get soft and lose their crunch, which is the whole point.
- Don’t overmix when serving. Use a large spoon to scoop straight down to the bottom so each serving gets all seven layers.
- Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient but contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly and affect texture.
Variations & Substitutions
- Try different proteins: Swap ground beef for seasoned ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or seasoned black beans for a vegetarian version.
- Change up the beans: Pinto beans, kidney beans, or refried beans all work beautifully.
- Add more layers: Guacamole or sliced avocado, roasted corn, diced jalapeños, red onion, or pickled peppers all make excellent additions.
- Swap the cheese: Try pepper jack for heat, Monterey Jack for mild creaminess, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Use Greek yogurt: Substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream to lighten it up without losing the creaminess.
- Add a different dressing: Drizzle cilantro-lime dressing or chipotle ranch over the top instead of plain sour cream.
- Make it spicy: Use hot salsa, diced jalapeños, and spicy taco seasoning throughout.
- Go gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free taco seasoning and tortilla chips.
Serving, Pairing & Storage
How to Serve:
Bring the entire bowl to the table and use a large serving spoon to scoop all the way from top to bottom so each portion gets every layer. Set out extra salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, and tortilla chips on the side for people to add more as they like.
What It Pairs Well With:
This is a complete meal on its own, but it’s also perfect alongside Mexican rice, refried beans, warm flour tortillas, or a bowl of tortilla soup. Serve with cold margaritas, Mexican beer, horchata, or agua fresca for a complete fiesta.