Diabetic Catalina Taco Salad (By Mack)
Serves: 4
Net carbs: ~8–10 g per serving
🌮 Taco Meat
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning (no sugar added)
- ¼ cup water
Brown meat, drain if needed. Add seasoning + water and simmer 3–4 minutes.
🥬 Salad Base
- 4 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (optional, moderate carbs)
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar or Colby-Jack cheese
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
🥓 Crunch (pick ONE)
- Crushed pork rinds
- Toasted pumpkin seeds
- Low-carb tortilla strips
(No corn chips — those spike fast.)
🍅 Diabetic Catalina Dressing (Homemade)
This keeps the classic sweet-tangy Catalina flavor without sugar.
- ¼ cup sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp water
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Sweetener to taste (monk fruit or erythritol)
Whisk until smooth.
🔥 Assemble
- Add lettuce to bowl
- Top with warm taco meat
- Add cheese, veggies, and crunch
- Drizzle Catalina dressing
- Toss lightly & serve immediately
✅ Why it works for diabetes
- No sugar-loaded Catalina dressing
- No corn chips or tortillas
- Protein + fat stabilize blood sugar
- High volume, very filling
