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BBQ Ranch Ground Beef Salad - A Hearty, Flavor-Packed Bowl

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the salad base: 6 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup canned corn, drained (or grilled corn, cut off the cob)
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños (optional)
  • Crushed tortilla chips or crispy tortilla strips for topping
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • For the ground beef: 1 pound ground beef (85–90% lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce (to glaze the beef)
  • For the BBQ ranch dressing: 1/3 cup ranch dressing
  • 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1–2 tablespoons water to thin, as needed

Method
 

  1. Mix the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together ranch, BBQ sauce, and lime juice. Add a splash of water to reach a drizzleable consistency. Taste and adjust with more lime, BBQ sauce, or a pinch of salt.
  2. Prep the veggies. Chop the lettuce, halve the tomatoes, slice the onion, and dice the avocado. Rinse and drain the black beans and corn. Set everything aside.
  3. Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add oil if your pan is dry. Crumble in the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until mostly browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Season the beef. Sprinkle in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce and cook another minute to glaze. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Assemble the salad. Add lettuce to a large bowl or divide among plates. Top with warm seasoned beef, tomatoes, corn, black beans, onion, avocado, and cheese. Add pickled jalapeños if using.
  6. Dress and finish. Drizzle BBQ ranch over the top. Sprinkle with cilantro and crushed tortilla chips. Serve with lime wedges and an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce if you like more sweetness and smoke.