Taco Salad is such a fun family staple and is an easy dinner idea we enjoy often. It brings the perfect balance of cool and tangy with a gentle kick, making it perfect for taco salads, burrito bowls, and as a dip for veggies or chips.
You only need four simple ingredients and a few minutes, then you have a zesty topper that plays nicely with all your favorite Mexican style dinners. It is creamy, flavorful, and easy to tweak for spice lovers or mild palates. And, it’s simply delicious!
This salsa and sour cream taco salad dressing tastes delicious on Taco Salad, Burrito Bowls, or Taco Bowls.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Made in minutes. It whips up in a flash with store-bought ingredients or homemade recipes to make this completely from scratch.
- It pairs well with…everything! Pour on almost any Mexican dish like Chicken Quesadillas, Loaded Nachos, Burrito Bowls, Chicken Flautas, or Bean Burritos. You could even slather it on a Hamburger!
- Make ahead. It can last for up to 2 weeks. Make a double batch to use with your favorite Mexican dinner ideas.
Taco Salad Dressing Ingredients
- Sour cream (½ cup) – The cream adds cool creaminess that tempers heat and gives the dressing body so it clings to every bite.
- Ranch dressing (¼ cup) – Ranch brings tangy buttermilk notes and herbs, which round out the salsa and make the flavor family-friendly. You can use homemade Ranch Dressing or store-bought dressing.
- Salsa (½ cup) – Salsa supplies tomatoes, seasoning, and moisture, so the dressing tastes bright and zesty without extra chopping. Use your favorite Homemade Salsa or a delicious store-bought jar. Change it up and use a Tomatillo Salsa or Salsa Verde.
- Chili powder (¼ teaspoon) – Chili powder deepens the taco flavor and adds gentle warmth, easy to increase if you want more kick.
How to Make Taco Salad Dressing
MIX. Stir sour cream, dressing, salsa, and chili powder in a small bowl.
CHILL + SERVE. Mix until well combined and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use a thick salsa if you want a clingy dressing, use a restaurant-style salsa if you prefer a looser drizzle.
- Make it your way, add lime juice for brightness, cayenne for heat, or a spoon of Greek yogurt for extra tang.
- Serving ideas. Drizzle on taco salad, burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos, flautas, or even burgers.
- When I have a large gathering, I like to have a taco bar and set out all the different toppings for people to make their perfect salads.
- Base. Browned and seasoned ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken
- Toppings. lettuce, onion, cilantro, bell peppers, avocado, corn, tomato, black olives, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo,
- Serve with Tortilla Chips or strips, Fritos, Doritos
Taco Salad Dressing Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup salsa
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Make dressing by combining sour cream, dressing, salsa and chili powder in a small bowl. Mix until well combined and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use a thick salsa for a clingy dressing, or a restaurant-style salsa for a looser drizzle.
- Make it your way. Add lime juice for brightness, cayenne for heat, or a spoon of Greek yogurt for extra tang.
- Serving ideas. Drizzle on taco salad, burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos, flautas, or even burgers.
- When I have a large gathering, I like to have a taco bar and set out all the different toppings for people to make their perfect salads.
- Base. Browned and seasoned ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken
- Toppings. lettuce, onion, cilantro, bell peppers, avocado, corn, tomato, black olives, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo,
- Serve with Tortilla Chips or strips, Fritos, Doritos
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Make this best taco salad dressing a day or two ahead so it has time to sit in the fridge, letting the flavors blend. Give it a good shake before pouring.
Keep leftovers in a glass jar or other airtight container. Refrigerate for 1-2 weeks.
Complete the Meal
Serve with
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This recipe was first shared August, 2022.
Amazing! I added some fresh slime juice and tasted awesome!
So glad you enjoyed!!
It’s a good recipe, but it’s missing some flavor. Next time, I’ll add a little more chili powder, a squeeze of lime, and a hint of cayenne to add a kick.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
All my life Ive added ketchup to my tacos (I blame my Utah born parents) But love this dressing so much that Ill never go back to that dreadful practice ;o)
This was delicious! I used my favorite black bean & corn salsa and left out the chili powder and it was *chef’s kiss*. We drizzled it on our tacos and it was perfection!
The best taco salad dressing! This was easy to make and really good!!
Oh my, this sounds incredibly delicious!! I can’t wait to try it!
A most favorite dressing of ours! We do a lot of taco salad during the summer. This dressing is easy and so yummy to make.
I used to just add sour cream, until I came across this recipe! Can’t go back! It adds so much flavor!