If you love a good taco salad but want something a little more fun and fresh, this taco wedge salad is it! Crisp iceberg lettuce is stacked up with all your (and my!) favorite taco toppings and finished with a creamy, smoky chipotle lime dressing that pulls everything together! It’s based on my wedge salad which is nothing short of perfection.

Taco Wedge Salads on a blue platter on a wooden table from overhead.

What Is A Wedge Salad?

A wedge salad is a salad made from a big chunk, or “wedge,” of lettuce instead of chopped leaves. It’s usually made with iceberg lettuce cut into quarters and topped with tasty ingredients like dressing, cheese, and vegetables. This fun iceberg lettuce salad is great because it’s super crunchy and holds all your toppings without getting soggy. You still get all the flavor of a taco salad, but in a cool (and delicious!) new way.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Chipotle Lime Dressing: The homemade chipotle lime dressing is the same delicious dressing I used on my Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad. It is a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk, balanced with lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and a smoky kick of chipotle powder. I would add this to almost any salad, it is so good!
Ground Beef: Ground beef is a classic choice for taco salads because it’s flavorful, easy to cook, and pairs perfectly with bold seasonings. If looking for a lighter option, you can easily use ground turkey or ground chicken.
Taco Seasoning: For the most flavor, make homemade taco seasoning. Or, use a packet (about 1 ounce) of store-bought seasoning.
Lettuce: For this salad, iceberg lettuce is the star. It’s crisp, refreshing, and sturdy enough to hold all the toppings and dressing without wilting. To prep it, just remove the outer leaves, cut out the core, and slice the head into four wedges. Each wedge makes a perfect base for piling on all the taco goodness.
Toppings: The toppings are what make this taco wedge salad so good! I added juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, avocado, red onion, and black olives, all the classic taco fixings. A sprinkle of tortilla strips (or fried wonton strips) adds crunch, and if you like a little heat, throw on some jalapeños. Add your favorites!

Drizzling dressing over a Taco Wedge Salad.

How to Cut and Prepare Iceberg Lettuce Wedges

Take a whole head of iceberg lettuce and remove the outer leaves that look wilted or dirty.
Cut out the hard core at the bottom by slicing a small cone shape from the base.
Place the lettuce upright on a cutting board and cut it straight down the middle, making two halves.
Cut each half in half again, so you have four big wedges.
Rinse each wedge under cold water to clean it well, then gently shake off the water or pat dry with a paper towel.
Keep the wedges cold in the refrigerator until ready to serve; cold lettuce stays crisp!

Taco Wedge Salad's on a blue platter close up.

Tips for Crisp Lettuce Wedges

Don’t soak the lettuce too long, or it can get soggy.
Dry the wedges well so the dressing doesn’t make them soggy right away.
Keep the wedges whole until just before serving to keep them crunchy.

Can I Use Romaine Lettuce Instead of Iceberg?

Yes, you can use romaine lettuce instead of iceberg for this taco wedge salad. Romaine is crisp and flavorful, though the texture is a little different. It works best if you cut the heart of the romaine in half lengthwise to create “wedges.” Just know it might not hold toppings quite as neatly as iceberg, but it’s still a great option!

Can You Make a Taco Wedge Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can make the dressing and cook the beef ahead of time. Just store each separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, you can warm the beef gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until it’s hot but not dried out. It’s best to cut the lettuce and add fresh toppings right before you eat. This way, your salad stays crunchy and delicious!

Best Toppings For Taco Wedge Salad

If you want to try different toppings, try adding corn, pickled red onions, cilantro, bell peppers, or radishes. You can also use pico de gallo, queso fresco, black beans, sour cream, or a squeeze of lime for extra flavor.

Close up of a Taco Wedge Salad on a black plate on a wooden table.

How to Eat a Taco Wedge Salad

A taco wedge salad might look fancy, but it’s easy to eat! Start by cutting into the iceberg lettuce wedge with a knife and fork, just like you would a steak. This helps break it up into bite-sized pieces so you can scoop up all the good stuff in every bite. It’s a fun, hands-on way to enjoy your favorite taco salad, no shell required!

How to Store and Reheat Taco Wedge Salad

If you have leftovers, it’s best to store the ingredients separately. Keep the iceberg lettuce wedges wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Store the cooked ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator, too. When ready to eat, warm up the ground beef in a skillet or microwave until hot. Then assemble your salad by placing the warm beef over the cold lettuce wedges and adding fresh toppings and dressing. This way, your taco wedge salad stays tasty and crisp!