Growing up, one of my favorite things to order at a Mexican restaurant was a big taco salad.
You know the kind – smothered in shredded cheese and sour cream and served in a huge, deep-fried taco shell bowl.
And while they may taste delicious, most taco salads are far from healthy.
In fact a Taco Bell Fiesta Taco Salad with Beef contains:
- Nearly 800 calories
- 42 grams of fat (the majority of which is the inflammatory omega 6 variety)
- 2260 mg sodium (from bleached refined salt, not mineral-rich sea salt)
- 68 g carbohydrates
… not to mention the “hidden” ingredients like acrylamide, GMOs, hormones, pesticides and other health-harming substances.
Creating a Healthy Paleo Taco Salad
But here’s the good news.
You can still enjoy the wonderful flavors of a taco salad without compromising your health.
In fact, what most of us love about a taco salad isn’t the taco – it’s the unique combination of spiced meat… the vibrant cilantro… and the not-so-subtle kick of jalepeno and lime juice that make this dish so crave-worthy.
And what about the crunch? A small handful of toasted pumpkin seeds makes the perfect nutrient-rich stand-in for the taco shell.
Paleo Taco Salad (in 15 Minutes Flat!)
Ingredients
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- 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
- 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tsp. cumin powder
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 8 cups organic spinach
- 2 medium avocados, diced
- 20 rings organic pickled jalapenos
- 20 brined black olives, sliced
- 8 Tbsp. organic salsa
Instructions
- Heat a safe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally until cooked through. Drain.
- Return to heat. Stir in the salt, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin powder and dried oregano. Heat over low heat.
- Meanwhile, prepare the salads. Divide spinach among plates and top with onion, avocado, olives and jalapeños, leaving room in the center for the meat and salsa.
- Scoop out the taco meat and place a mound in the center of each salad.
- Top with salsa and drizzle with Cumin-Lime Vinaigrette or Cilantro Vinaigrette.
Why You Should Quit Bread — Even the "Healthy" Kind
Did you know that traditional grain-based breads & desserts contain a compound that is the #1 greatest danger in your diet?
Studies show that this compound (and I am not talking about "gluten") is toxic to your heart and blood vessels, weakens your immune defenses, and disrupts your nerves and brain function.
And if that's not enough… this hidden compound also makes it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to burn fat and lose weight!
The great news is that you can still have your breads and desserts… AND be well too!
Discover the Secret to the World's Healthiest BreadThis post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.
About the author
Kelley Herring
Kelley Herring, founder of Healing Gourmet, is a natural nutrition enthusiast with a background in biochemistry. Her passion is educating on how foods promote health and protect against disease and creating simple and delicious recipes for vibrant health and enjoyment.
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