Taco salad already has many of the ingredients that work in a low-carb meal, from seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese to avocado and sour cream. The part worth checking is something much smaller: the taco seasoning packet.
Some packaged seasoning mixes contain added sugar or starch, so this recipe from Green and Keto skips the packet and seasons the beef with seven pantry spices instead. Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper create the entire mix.
The seasoned beef goes over shredded romaine with cheese, green onions, tomatoes, avocado, salsa, and sour cream. There is no tortilla bowl or pile of tortilla chips underneath, and the combination of salsa and sour cream can serve as the dressing.
The result keeps most of the familiar taco toppings while changing the ingredients that can add carbohydrates without contributing much volume to the meal.
Seven Pantry Spices Replace the Taco Seasoning Packet
The homemade taco seasoning starts with 1 tablespoon chili powder and 2 teaspoons cumin. A teaspoon each of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder goes in next, followed by ½ teaspoon each of oregano and black pepper.
Together, those ingredients make about 3 tablespoons of seasoning, enough for the ground beef in the recipe.
Making the blend from individual spices also makes the ingredient list easier to control. Store-bought taco seasoning can still be used, but checking the label for sugar and starch helps determine whether it fits the intended carb count.
The homemade mixture can also be scaled up and stored in a sealed jar for another batch.
Romaine Replaces the Tortilla Bowl
Instead of putting the taco filling into tortillas or a fried tortilla shell, shredded romaine becomes the base.
Seasoned ground beef provides the main protein, though ground turkey can take its place. Shredded cheese, green onions, tomatoes, and sliced avocado are arranged over the lettuce.
The change removes the shell without requiring a specialty low-carb tortilla. Each forkful still combines the seasoned meat with many of the ingredients that would normally go inside a taco.
Salsa and Sour Cream Double as the Dressing
A separate salad dressing isn’t required here. Salsa brings tomatoes, acidity, and seasoning, while sour cream adds a thicker component that coats the lettuce once everything is mixed.
Jarred salsa works, though its ingredient list is another place to check for added sugar. Fresh salsa can be used instead.
For more heat, diced fresh or pickled jalapeños can go over the salad. Sliced black olives, cherry tomatoes, or roasted bell peppers can also be added without changing the basic preparation.
Ground Beef Isn’t the Only Protein That Works
The salad is built around seasoned ground beef, but the same format can use ingredients already in the refrigerator.
Ground turkey can be cooked with the same seven-spice seasoning, while leftover rotisserie chicken eliminates the need to brown ground meat. Roasted peppers can turn the combination toward a fajita-style salad.
Crispy baked cheese can also add the crunch that would otherwise come from tortilla chips.
That makes the recipe less dependent on one exact set of taco ingredients. Keep the romaine base, avocado, cheese, salsa, and sour cream, then change the protein or toppings based on what is available.
