Not all appetizers need to be complicated! This 7 Layer Salad has totally simple and readily available vegetables with a homemade taco ranch dressing, making it a perfectly easy way to grab and go with gorgeous presentation.
Try green, red or yellow peppers, chilis, jalapenos, avocados, changing up the beans to re-fried or pinto, multi layers of cheeses like mozzarella and pepper jack or skipping diced tomatoes for simply salsa!
Once you get into the groove of a layered salad, the rest is easy.
Simple Ingredients
Layered salads have always been a “thing” when it comes to parties. If you have a trifle dish, seeing the gorgeous peeking green lettuce, red tomatoes, and orange shredded cheese is a beautiful display.
The great thing about a layered salad like this is that you can also change up the layers easily by adding your own favorite ingredients.
Just keep in mind to keep layers kinda dry so you do not make some of your other veggies wilt or drown in juices.
Feel free to substitute black beans for red, change up cheese kinds (or add extra between layers for visual). You can add or take away layers depending on your own taste buds.
Scroll to the bottom for a printable version of this post, including all measurements and instructions, so you can follow along in your kitchen without being on your phone.
Here is what you need to gather to get started:
- shredded lettuce
- corn
- black beans
- Roma tomatoes
- cheddar cheese
- black olives
- onions
RELATED RECIPES: Chicken Enchilada Dip, Chili Dip, Spicy Doritos Taco Salad, Homemade Tortilla Chips, Slow Cooker Refried Beans, Salsa Chicken
GOURMET SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR LAYERS: Use Mexican Street Corn Salsa in replace of just plain corn, pico de gallo in exchange of just tomatoes and Black Bean and Corn Salsa in exchange for your bean layer!
Homemade Ranch Taco Dressing
Before you get started on your salad, pre-make your dressing. It needs to sit in the fridge prior to serving so this can also be made a day ahead of time if you prefer.
I serve this dressing along side the salad as I have an affinity for soggy food and like things fresh, but you could most certainly double this recipe and use it in between layers for built in flavors.
- 1/2 cup prepared ranch salad dressing
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Tip: I keep the Kraft Ranch Dry Seasoning can on hand and can make dressing any time I want that tastes homemade. It also is great for taco seasonings and soup. You can find it in the seasonings aisle and lasts for quite a few months.
Assembling 7 Layer Taco Salad
Mix ranch dressing and taco seasoning together.
Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use.
Layer each item into a large trifle bowl beginning with the lettuce and ending with the green onions.
When you reach the cheese layer, place in the center of the bowl and sprinkle with olives and green onions.
Serve immediately or refrigerate covered until ready to serve.
Serve with dressing, guacamole, and sour cream.
Use Tongs to serve!
7 Layer Taco Salad Trifle Recipe with Homemade Taco Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup prepared ranch salad dressing
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 package 8 oz, shredded lettuce
- 2 cans corn drained or 1 large package frozen corn, thawed
- 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
- 5 Roma tomatoes chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small can 2.25oz, sliced black olives, drained
- 2 green onions sliced
Instructions
To Make Salad Dressing:
- Mix ranch dressing and taco seasoning together.
- Set aside for flavors to mingle.
- Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use.
To Make Salad:
- Layer each item into a large trifle bowl beginning with the lettuce and ending with the green onions.
- When you reach the cheese layer, place in the center of the bowl and sprinkle with olives and green onions.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate covered until ready to serve.
- Serve along side taco dressing.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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