The Taco Salad Bowl is a high-protein, meal-prep-friendly dish packed with flavourful seasoned beef, crisp veggies, and crunchy tortilla chips. This easy-to-assemble bowl delivers all the bold flavours of tacos in a fresh, nutritious way.
Try our Chicken Tortilla Pizza for another delicious lunch option.
Taco Salad Bowl
If you want a quick, nutritious meal that doesn’t compromise on flavour, this Taco Salad Bowl is for you. It’s the perfect high-protein alternative to traditional tacos, offering all the bold, zesty flavours in a fresh, satisfying bowl.
Think of it as tacos without the mess, but packed with lean beef, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy, tangy drizzle for the ultimate balance of textures. The best part? You can meal prep the ingredients in advance, making it a convenient option for busy days.
With 51.7g of protein and 595 calories per serving, this taco salad bowl is a fuel-packed meal that will keep you full and energised, whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a post-workout recovery meal.
Why We Love this Recipe
High in Protein: With 51.7g of protein per serving, this meal keeps you full and supports muscle recovery.
Easy to Meal Prep – Prep everything in advance and store it in the fridge for quick assembly throughout the week.
Delicious & Satisfying – The perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and crunchy textures that make every bite exciting!
What is a Taco Salad Bowl?
A Taco Salad Bowl is a deconstructed version of a taco, served in a bowl instead of a tortilla. It includes seasoned beef mince, fresh vegetables, crunchy toppings, and a creamy dressing, offering all the flavours of tacos in a healthier, more convenient form. Plus, it’s customisable—you can switch up the protein, add more spice, or throw in extra toppings to suit your taste!
Taco Salad Bowl Nutrition
This Taco Salad Bowl is the perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal. The combination of seasoned beef, crisp veggies, and a creamy topping ensures every bite is packed with flavour and texture. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:
Calories: 595
Protein: 51.7g
Carbs: 47.6g
Fat: 23g
Ingredients
- Lean Beef Mince: Provides a protein-rich base with bold, savoury flavours.
- Taco Seasoning: Brings the classic Mexican-inspired taste to the dish.
- Fresh Veggies (Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumber, Lettuce): Add crunch, juiciness, and freshness.
- Cheese: Adds creaminess and richness to balance out the flavours.
- Fat Free Yoghurt & Chilli Mayo: A lighter, tangy alternative to sour cream.
- Tortilla Chips: For a satisfying crunch.
- Lime: Brightens up the dish with a zesty kick.
How to Make Taco Salad Bowl
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Prepare the Mince
Brown the lean beef mince in a pan, then add onions, tomato purée, taco seasoning, and seasonings.
Let it cook until well combined and set aside to cool if meal prepping.
Prep the Veggies
Chop the tomatoes, red bell peppers, and cucumber.
Shred the iceberg lettuce and store everything in separate containers if prepping for later.
Assemble the Taco Salad Bowl
Finish by adding the crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy topping.
Start with a base of iceberg lettuce in a bowl.
Spoon over the cooked beef mince evenly.
Add the chopped tomatoes, red bell peppers, and cucumber on top of the mince.
Sprinkle with grated cheese.
Spoon the yoghurt on top.
Squeeze the lime juice over the salad.
Drizzle chilli mayo sauce around the bowl.
Tips
- Keep it Fresh – Assemble just before eating to keep the veggies crisp.
- Meal Prep Hack – Chop all the vegetables ahead of time and store them in separate containers. This makes assembling your taco salad bowl quick and effortless.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Make it Spicier – Add fresh jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Swap the Protein – Try chicken, turkey mince, or a plant-based alternative.
- Boost the Fibre – Mix in black beans or kidney beans for extra nutrients.
- Swap Tortilla Chips for Rice – If you prefer a heartier base, replace the tortilla chips with rice for a burrito bowl-style meal.
Storage
Fridge: Store the cooked beef mince and chopped veggies separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Assemble Fresh: To maintain the best texture, keep the crunchy toppings separate until ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Swap the beef for chicken, turkey, or even tofu to change up the flavour and macros.
Yes, you can skip the tortilla chips altogether.
Replace the chilli mayo with a milder sauce or plain yoghurt for a less spicy option.
More High Protein Lunch Ideas
After you try this Taco Salad Bowl Recipe, let us know your thoughts! Follow us on Instagram for more high protein, low calorie recipe ideas.
Taco Salad Bowl
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Chopping Board
- Cutting Knife
- Food storage containers
- Big Bowl
Ingredients
For the Mince:
- 500 g 5% Fat Free Beef Mince
- 1 Beef Stock Cube
- 2 tbsp Tomato Puree
- ½ Medium Onion (chopped)
- 1 tsp Mixed Herbs
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 25 g Taco Seasoning
For the Salad:
- 4 Medium Fresh Tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 Red Bell Peppers (chopped)
- 1 Cucumber (chopped)
- 100 g Iceberg Lettuce (shredded)
- 30 g Fat Free Greek Yoghurt
- 15 g Chilli Mayo Sauce
- 30 g 30% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese
- 15 g Tortilla Chips (crushed)
- 1 Lime (wedges)
Instructions
Prepare the Mince:
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the lean beef mince. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onion, beef stock cube, tomato purée, mixed herbs, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Let it cook for another 5 minutes until everything is well incorporated. Remove from heat and allow it to cool if prepping for later.
Prep the Veggies
- While the mince cooks, chop the tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumber. Shred the iceberg lettuce.
- Store each ingredient separately in airtight containers if meal prepping.
- Assemble the Taco Salad Bowl
- Start with a base of iceberg lettuce in a bowl.
- Spoon over the cooked beef mince evenly.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, red bell peppers, and cucumber on top of the mince.
- Sprinkle with grated cheese.
- Spoon the yoghurt on top.
- Squeeze the lime juice over the salad.
- Drizzle chilli mayo sauce around the bowl.
- Finish by adding the crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy topping and enjoy!
