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Enjoy a delicious, low-carb, keto, and gluten-free meal with our Taco Salad in a Jar (Low-Carb) recipe. Perfect for meal prep lunches or light dinners, this dish allows you to cook once and eat for four days!
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Taco Salad in a Jar: The Ultimate Keto Meal Prep for Deliciously Easy Lunches and Dinners
Is Taco Salad Keto?
If you are talking about the traditional taco salad with refried beans in a deep-fried tortilla bowl, sadly no.
And I mean that sadly with my whole heart because that was one of my all-time favorite salads before I went low-carb.
A Taco Salad (with a fried 12-inch Flour Tortilla Bowl) has around 72 carbs, and this salad has 8, or even less if you omit the black beans.
But it tastes sooooo good right? I can hear you saying that because that is what I would say, over and over again.
I missed my taco salad, I wanted my taco salad, and I was determined that nothing would taste as good as my old favorite.
Even though I was sure nothing would ever compare, I worked on recipes, many recipes. But I just couldn't get it to taste right to me.
Then I made my homemade ranch dressing, and salsa fresca, to come up with the amazing dressing I used.
I also found some keto taco-flavored tortilla chips that were a huge game-changer!
Then I had the debate.
Beans, or no beans, that was the question.
I finally decided to include black beans but you can omit them if you are strict keto.
All in all, this recipe brings the flavors I was looking for and, with the keto chips, you get that little crunch experience that you crave too.
🍽️✨ Don't forget to share your delightful creations with us on Instagram using #BobbisKozyKitchen for a chance to be featured in our newsletter! 📸
In This Post
🥘Taco Salad in a Jar Ingredients
These are the ingredients necessary to make Taco Salad in a Jar.
- Mexican Seasoning Blend - I have come up with a homemade seasoning blend that I use now that I feel tastes much better than storebought.
- Homemade Ranch Dressing - this ranch dressing is full of flavor but also keto-friendly.
- Homemade Salsa Fresca - this is my favorite salsa. It is easy to make and much better than any storebought you can buy!
A detailed list with measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
🔪Taco Salad in a Jar Instructions
This is a basic breakdown of the steps involved in making Taco Salad in a Jar. You will find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Divide the dressing equally among the 4 mason jars.
Equally, add the cooked ground beef, then top with chopped tomatoes, green onions, and pickled jalapenos.
Then add the black beans (if using), diced avocado, and shredded cheese.
Top with the chopped lettuce.
Helpful Hint: 💡 For the freshest and longest-lasting salads, vacuum seal your jars. This method can extend the salad's freshness for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, although it usually gets devoured much sooner due to its deliciousness!
Substitutions
- Ground Beef - If you prefer a different protein, swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat substitute for a vegetarian option.
- Black Beans - If you’re on a strict keto diet or simply want to change things up, omit the black beans or replace them with cooked and seasoned mushrooms for added texture and flavor.
- Romaine Lettuce - If you prefer a different type of lettuce, swap the romaine for iceberg, spinach, or a spring mix.
📖Variations
- Chicken Taco Salad - Replace the ground beef with cooked, shredded chicken seasoned with taco spices for a lighter option.
- Shrimp Taco Salad - Swap the beef for cooked, seasoned shrimp to add a seafood twist.
- Veggie-Packed Taco Salad - Include extra vegetables like bell peppers, radishes, or zucchini for more crunch and nutrients.
🍽Equipment
This is the equipment you will need to make Taco Salad in a Jar.
- measuring cups and spoons set
- large skillet
- ground beef chopper
- quart mason jars
- mason jar vacuum sealer
Storage
Store the salad in the mason jars in the fridge for up to 5 days, or up to 2 weeks if you vacuum seal them.
💭Top tip
To prevent the avocado from browning, toss the chopped pieces in lime juice before adding them to the jars. This will not only keep the avocado looking fresh but also add an extra zesty flavor to your salad!
FAQ about Taco Salad in a Jar
Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef. Season it the same way and cook until it’s no longer pink.
Toss the chopped avocado in lime juice before adding it to the jars. The lime juice helps slow down the oxidation process, keeping the avocado fresher for longer.
It's best to keep the tortilla chips separate and add them just before eating. This ensures they stay crunchy and don’t get soggy from the other ingredients.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Big Mac Salad in a Jar
- Italian Grinder Salad (Sub in a Tub)
- Keto Asian Rainbow Noodle Salad
- Low-Carb Shrimp Louie Salad
- Keto Cobb Salad
- Keto Chinese Chicken Salad
Taco Salad in a Jar
Equipment
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 1 cup homemade ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup salsa fresca
For the salad
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons Mexican seasoning blend or a packet of store bought taco seasoning
- 2 roma tomatoes seeded and chopped
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños drained and chopped (optional)
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed (omit for keto)
- 2 avocados chopped
- 1 lime juiced
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese grated
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce chopped
- keto taco flavored chips (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and salsa, set aside.
- Heat your oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the meat chopper.
- Add the Mexican seasoning if using and cook, stirring occasionally until no pink remains (about 8 to 10 minutes). *See Notes
- Set meat aside and allow it to cool.
- Divide the sauce equally among the 4 mason jars.
- Equally, add the cooked ground beef, then top with chopped tomatoes, green onions, pickled jalapeno, black beans, avocado, cheese, and lettuce.
- Place the lids on the jars and refrigerate.
- To eat, dump the salad out into a bowl, stir to combine.
- Top with crushed tortilla chips if using.
Notes
- If using store-bought taco seasoning cook to package instructions.
- The salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or 2 weeks if vacuum sealed.
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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