7 Layer Taco Salad with Taco Ranch Dressing

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!

Continue to Content

Yield: 8

7 Layer Taco Salad Trifle Recipe with Homemade Taco Dressing

Print

7 layer taco salad is a delicious way to enjoy seven perfect ingredients in one savory bite. This simple 7 layer salad consists of a bed of lettuce, cold corn for sweetness, black beans, tomatoes, tons of cheese and a sprinkling of olives and onions. Fill up in a trifle for a gorgeous pot luck or party ready side dish salad with fresh, homemade taco ranch dressing.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

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:

1. Mix ranch dressing and taco seasoning together.
2. Set aside for flavors to mingle.
3. Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use.

To Make Salad:

1. Layer each item into a large trifle bowl beginning with the lettuce and ending with the green onions.
2. When you reach the cheese layer, place in the center of the bowl and sprinkle with olives and green onions.
3. Serve immediately or refrigerate covered until ready to serve.
4. Serve along side taco dressing.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 306Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 462mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 7gSugar: 5gProtein: 13g

Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.

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