If you love Mexican food but want to keep your carbs low, you might be wondering how to enjoy a delicious taco salad without the tortillas or the high-carb dressing. The answer is simple: make your own keto taco salad dressing!
Keto taco salad dressing is a creamy and tangy sauce that you can drizzle over your favorite taco salad ingredients. It’s easy to make with just four ingredients and takes only five minutes to whip up. Plus, it’s low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.
In this article, you’ll learn what keto taco salad dressing is, why you should make your own, what ingredients you need, how to make it, how to use it, and some frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!
What is keto taco salad dressing?
Keto taco salad dressing is a homemade dressing that combines salsa, ranch dressing, lime juice, and cumin. It has a spicy, creamy, and zesty flavor that goes well with any taco salad ingredients. It’s similar to the dressing that you might find in a restaurant or a store-bought bottle, but without the added sugars or fillers that can spike your blood sugar and kick you out of ketosis.
Why make your own keto taco salad dressing?
There are many benefits to making your own keto taco salad dressing instead of buying one or using a regular dressing. Here are some of them:
- You can control the ingredients and the quality. You can choose a sugar-free and low-carb salsa and ranch dressing that suit your taste and preferences. You can also adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- You can save money and time. Making your own keto taco salad dressing is cheaper than buying one from a store or a restaurant. Plus, it only takes five minutes to make, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
- You can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal. Keto taco salad dressing adds flavor and creaminess to your salad, making it more enjoyable and filling. You won’t miss the tortillas or the high-carb dressing when you have this sauce on your plate.
What ingredients do you need for keto taco salad dressing?
To make keto taco salad dressing, you only need four simple ingredients:
- Salsa: This is the base of your dressing and adds a spicy kick. Choose a sugar-free and low-carb salsa that has no added sugars or fillers. You can use mild, medium, or hot salsa depending on how spicy you like it.
- Ranch dressing: This adds creaminess and richness to your dressing. Choose a keto-friendly and low-carb ranch dressing that has no added sugars or fillers. You can use regular or light ranch dressing depending on how creamy you like it.
- Lime juice: This adds a tangy and fresh flavor to your dressing. Use fresh lime juice for the best results. You can also use lemon juice if you don’t have limes.
- Cumin: This adds a warm and earthy flavor to your dressing. It’s optional, but it enhances the taco flavor. You can also use other spices like chili powder, garlic powder, or oregano if you like.
How to make keto taco salad dressing
Making keto taco salad dressing is very easy and quick. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Avocado Oil
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 Garlic clove, minced
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, and Dijon mustard.
- Add the cumin, paprika, chili powder, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk all the ingredients together until well combined and emulsified.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Your delicious keto taco salad dressing is now ready to drizzle over your salad!
Step 2: Taste and adjust the seasoning
Taste your dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salsa for a spicier dressing, more ranch for a creamier dressing, or more lime juice for a tangier dressing. You can also add salt, pepper, or more cumin if you like.
Step 3: Store or serve the dressing
Store your dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Or serve it immediately over your favorite keto taco salad ingredients. Enjoy!
How to use keto taco salad dressing
Keto taco salad dressing is versatile and can be used with any taco salad ingredients you like. Here are some suggestions:
How to make keto taco salad
To make keto taco salad, you need to cook some ground beef with taco seasoning and broth until browned and thickened. Then you can assemble your salad by adding lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and any other toppings you like to a large bowl. Top with the keto taco salad and toss to combine. You can also serve the dressing on the side if you prefer.
What other toppings can you add to keto taco salad?
You can add other keto-friendly ingredients to your keto taco salad to make it more flavorful and nutritious. Here are some ideas:
- Guacamole: This adds healthy fats and creaminess to your salad. You can make your own guacamole or use a store-bought one that has no added sugars or fillers.
- Fresh or pickled jalapeno peppers: These add a spicy and crunchy touch to your salad. You can use fresh or pickled jalapenos depending on how spicy you like them.
- Salsa: This adds more color and flavor to your salad. You can use the same salsa that you used for the dressing or a different one that has no added sugars or fillers.
- Sour cream: This adds more creaminess and richness to your salad. You can use regular or light sour cream depending on how rich you like it.
- Olives: These add a salty and briny flavor to your salad. You can use black or green olives depending on your preference.
- Red onion: This adds a sweet and sharp flavor to your salad. You can use raw or cooked red onion depending on your taste.
- Red peppers: These add a sweet and crunchy flavor to your salad. You can use raw or roasted red peppers depending on your preference.
How to store and reheat keto taco salad and dressing
If you have leftovers of keto taco salad and dressing, you can store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat the taco meat, you can microwave it for a few minutes or heat it in a skillet over medium-high heat until warmed through.
To reheat the dressing, you can microwave it for a few seconds or whisk it until smooth.
To serve, toss the lettuce with the dressing and top with the meat and other toppings.
Conclusion
Keto taco salad is a delicious and easy way to enjoy a low-carb Mexican meal. It’s made with just four ingredients and takes only five minutes to make. It’s creamy, tangy, spicy, and keto-friendly. You can use it with any taco salad ingredients you like and customize it to your taste. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner and keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Try it today and see how it transforms your keto taco salad into a satisfying and flavorful dish.
