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If you’re looking for one of those retro church potluck dishes that just hits every time it’s served, then this is your recipe! I’ve been making Catalina Taco Salad with Fritos for years, and I’ve doubled down on its fresh goodness by adding a few colorful veggies and my own smoky homemade Catalina dressing. I’ve never place it on table when the bowl doesn’t come back empty, and I know you’ll have the same results!

Catalina Taco Salad with Fritos, Ranch Style Pinto Beans, beef taco meat and homemade Catalina Dressing.

This fabulous classic Frito Taco Salad recipe is full of crunchy chips, Ranch Style beans, and tangy Catalina Dressing and is a serious favorite at my house. And even though it’s “just a salad,” my guys are actually its biggest fans! One mention to my son that we’re having it and he is off like a shot to grab the biggest bowl allowed so he doesn’t miss out on a single bite.

Why This Recipe Is Worth Bringing Back
It’s All About the Dressing
What To Know Before Getting Started
How To Make This Frito Taco Salad Recipe
Tips For The Freshest, Crispest Salad
More Old School Salad Recipes To Love
Watch How It’s Made

This has been a family favorite since my childhood and the ranch style beans are a MUST!!! One of my favorite things to make on a Sunday night. This is delicious. -DONNA

A plate full of this retro frito taco salad with ranch style beans and taco meat.

Why This Recipe Is Worth Bringing Back

Catalina Taco Salad shows up frequently on our weeknight dinner table because it’s one of those really smart recipes:

It makes it easy to get a homemade dinner on the table that everybody really likes.
It fills you up, but never leaves you feeling stuffed or heavy.
It makes great use of farmer’s market veggies and tastes even better as summer heats up.
It has loads of color. (I’ve added Romaine lettuce, red cabbage and matchstick carrots to amp it up!) It not only looks yummy, but lots of color promises variety of flavors, textures and a well-rounded dose of nutrients.
This dish is versatile. It’s a winner on a busy Wednesday night. It is THE star when taken to a cookout or potluck, even a tailgate! And it’s perfect at the lake or beach.
The addition of the extra veggies and a simple homemade salad dressing keeps the integrity of the original recipe while giving it a fresh update that carries it forward.

Pouring homemade Catalina dressing over this taco salad.

It’s All About the Dressing

Let’s talk about Catalina dressing. After all, it is what makes this dish a real retro classic. And honestly, it sets it apart from all other taco salads. There is just something about the tangy tomato-based dressing. A little sweet, a little savory, a lot of summer.

Thinking about switching out the Catalina for salsa? Don’t. You’ll miss what this recipe is all about. Find my simple homemade recipe here.

What To Know Before Getting Started

Ingredients for a classic Catalina Salad including corn chips, beans and romaine lettuce.

I’ll walk through an overview of ingredients & steps in these next sections along with helpful tips!

Look for specifics at the end of the post in the recipe card.

Romaine lettuce
Iceberg lettuce
red (or purple) cabbage
matchstick carrots
green onions
chopped tomatoes
ground meat (beef or turkey)
taco seasoning packet
Ranch Style Pinto Beans (canned)
Fritos corn chips
Catalina salad dressing (homemade recipe)

Recipe Substitutions/Additions: French salad dressing is a good substitute if you can’t find Catalina in your grocery store.

Likewise, if Ranch style beans aren’t available in your area, try using regular canned pinto beans and tossing them in a little taco seasoning after draining and rinsing them.

For a spicy kick, we like to add diced fresh jalapeño!

You could also top with a little shredded sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a more up-to-date taco feel.

I also think the occasional avocado slice is nice.

Some people like to use crushed Nacho Doritos chips instead of Fritos for a Dorito Taco Salad.

How To Make This Frito Taco Salad Recipe

A 4 part grid showing the steps for making Catalina Taco Salad.

Prep the taco meat. Brown ground beef or turkey on the stove top in a large skillet over medium heat. Add taco seasoning (following instructions on the seasoning envelope). Set aside to cool to room temperature while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

Get the beans ready. Rinse and drain the beans.

Prep the rest of the ingredients. Toss together the 2 lettuces + cabbage in an extra large bowl. Add carrots, green onions, tomatoes and beans. Toss lightly to avoid mashing the beans.

Add the taco goodness. Gently fold in the ground beef and Fritos.

Drizzle and serve. Add the dressing. Toss lightly one final time. Serve immediately in your mixing bowl or transfer to a large salad bowl.

A bite of Catalina taco recipe on a fork to show the ingredients and texture.

Tips For The Freshest, Crispest Salad

When you take this recipe to a cookout or potluck, add the crunchy corn chips and the dressing right before serving so that nothing gets soggy on the trip over.
You can even serve them on the side so that friends and family can add their own.
This is also a good idea for the diced jalapeños if you’re including those.
If you’re making this salad ahead of time, store the taco meat, beans, and tomatoes in separate individual zip top bags. The lettuces, cabbage, green onions and carrots can be tossed and stored together. Combine the salad before serving.

A bowl of Catalina Taco Salad with with a drizzle of classic dressing across the top.

More Old School Salad Recipes To Love

Watch How It’s Made