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Home › Recipes › By Type › Sides and Salads

Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad {Gluten Free}

by Lindsay Cotter · 09/07/2015

GF
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★★★ 2.9 from 7 reviews

Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. A tasty Taco Salad with a little BBQ Bean and Beef kick! Easy to make in the crock pot, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. A tasty Taco Salad with a little BBQ Bean and Beef kick! Easy to make in the crock pot, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

Well guys, it’s time to enjoy a Monday off! But you know what that means…

Labor day is here and Summer is officially coming to an end soon! I know many of you are out there soaking up the last bit of sunshine and Barbecue, which is why I have a BBQ recipe for you today combined with a Taco recipe you can enjoy Tuesday (Taco Tuesday). Consider this my farewell to Summer recipe. Pretty soon pumpkin will take it’s place!

Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. A tasty Taco Salad with a little BBQ Bean and Beef kick! Easy to make in the crock pot, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

That being said, I did not BBQ grill this meat. Gasp! I know, it’s way to hot here to do that. In fact, it all (minus the salad) went in the crock pot, yet again. I know what you’re thinking.

Why in the world is she on a crock pot kick? 

And I kindly reply —> because it’s 100F here. I don’t feel like sweating much more outside by the grill. Haha!

Honestly, there are some major health perks to slow cooking foods in the crock pot. I think I mentioned them in this post. But’s talk about slow cooking beans a little more, shall we?

  • Slow cooking meats and beans perserves more of it’s nutrients (versus cooking on extreme high heat)
  • Soaking then Slow cooking beans allows for more (but not all) phytic acid to be broken down. Learn more about phytic acid here.
  • Rinsing and Slow Cooking beans can help reduce raffinose. Raffinose is a sugar found in beans. Many have a hard time digesting raffinose since humans don’t have the enzyme to break it down. Raffinose is similar to lactose, some can tolerate, others can’t. It’s best to ferment or slow cook beans for ease of digestion..

To conclude —> You’re tummy with thank you! And maybe then those beans won’t be called the “musical fruit.” If you get what I’m saying. Not to “toot” my own horn or anything, but I am getting pretty darn good at slow cooking foods for better digestion, haha. Pun intended. 😉

Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. A tasty Taco Salad with a little BBQ Bean and Beef kick! Easy to make in the crock pot, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

Okay, moving on to this recipe. There are two ways to make it. The faster way and the super easy but longer and more friendly to your gut way. I’m going got give you both. Because, let’s face it, sometimes (a lot of times) we need the faster recipe version just in case.

Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. A tasty Taco Salad with a little BBQ Bean and Beef kick! Easy to make in the crock pot, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

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Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad


★★★

2.9 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 5 hours
  • Yield: 6 1x
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Description

Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad {Gluten Free}


Ingredients

Scale

CROCK POT FIXINGS:

  • 1 lb ground beef (lean)
  • 1 cup pinto beans (or 2 cups canned and rinsed pinto beans)
  • 1/2 cup salsa or pico de gallo
  • 2 tsp BBQ seasoning (rub)
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
  • dash of black pepper and sea salt

SALAD FOR ONE FIXINGS:

  • 3–5 cup lettuce/greens mix
  • 1/2 cup diced grape tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup diced zucchini
  • Bacon crumbles
  • Parmesan
  • Chili flakes
  • Optional sour cream topping. (I mixed 2 tbsp greek yogurt with 1 tbsp sour cream)

Instructions

  1. First brown your meat in a skillet, drain the fat, and set aside.
  2. If you are going to use beans (not canned), first soak them and rinse. It’s best to soak overnight but if you don’t have time, then that’s fine. Place them in crock, add your seasoning and sauces, keep on low for 2 hrs, then add browned meat and cook high for another 3 hrs or so.
  3. Stir halfway drain any extra grease from meat.
  4. If you are going to use canned beans, rinse them thoroughly, and place in the crock pot with meat and sauces. cook on low for 5 -6 hrs or high for 3 to 4 hrs. Check half and stir with spoon. Then spoon out extra grease from meat.
  5. Once meat is done, arrange your salad and place meat on top. Add the extra fixins if desired. Such as parmesan cheese, sour cream, chili flakes, black pepper, etc.
  6. Meat serves 6. Salad serves one.

Notes

The meat/bean combo serves about 6. You can make multiple salads for one ore store the leftover meat for later. Also Freezes well!

  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 5 hr
  • Category: main/salad
  • Method: crockpot
  • Cuisine: mexican american

Keywords: crock pot, salad, tacos, healthy, slow cooker, beans, gluten free

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cottercrunch on Instagram and hashtag it #cottercrunch

 

Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. A tasty Taco Salad with a little BBQ Bean and Beef kick! Easy to make in the crock pot, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

For more information on how to slow cook beans, see the Kitchn.com.

Oh and you will definitely have leftover meat/beans if you are are just serving 1-2 people. I like to save meat and beans for a sloppy joe the next day. Just add cooked green beans a little more tomato sauce! Served on Mikey’s toasted Onion bread (Paleo).

slow cooker sloppy joe on mikey's paleo muffins #cottercrunch#paleo @mikeysmuffins

You can also use this meat to make Greek Style Tacos! See, I’m just prepping you for Taco Tuesday. You’re welcome!

What are you BBQ’ing today?

If you still need a quick NO BAKE dessert to make, I highly recommend these PB trail mix bites! Just sayin..

[Tweet ” YUM! Easy and Healthy #GlutenFree Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad! #recipe #fitfluential”]

Have a JOYOUS Labor day friends!

Cheers,

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Gluten Free Crock Pot BBQ Taco Salad. Taco Salad with a little BBQ kick, and all in the crock pot. Easy to make, healthy, and perfect to use for multiple meals!

 

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Categories: Gluten Free, Grain Free, Sides and Salads, Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Tags: bbq, crock pot, primal, slow cooker

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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  1. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    09/08/2015 at 8:48 PM

    I am a firm believer you can never go wrong with Mexican.

    Reply
  2. Jolene says

    09/08/2015 at 7:45 PM

    YUM!! almost time for crockput season!! I had no idea slow cooking beans imparted more nutrients! you are so wise my friend. Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  3. Carly @ FitLiving blog says

    09/08/2015 at 5:30 PM

    Yummy! I’ve been looking for more crockpot recipes and can’t wait to add this one to my list. Pinned for later! My husband and I love anything Mexican-inspired and I can totally see us using this recipe in so many different ways!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 7:22 PM

      invite me when you do! haha

      Reply
  4. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    09/08/2015 at 10:00 AM

    I am constantly on a crock pot kick! 365 – 24/7! Especially when it is so gawsh darn hot out! Taco salads are hard to make look pretty and this is one sexy salad, girl! LOVE all the ingredients! This beefy, beany beaut is PERFECT for taco Tuesday! Pinned! Cheers and thanks for sharing the YUM!

    Reply
  5. Emanuele @ guyslovecooking says

    09/08/2015 at 9:51 AM

    great picture! Very intriguing recipe!!

    Reply
  6. GiGi Eats says

    09/08/2015 at 8:52 AM

    BEEF. I need BEEF. Ground BEEF is what I am all about. Sometimes I cheat on salmon with ground beef, whoops… This was a confession comment today 😉

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Alysia at Slim Sanity says

    09/08/2015 at 8:33 AM

    Personally, I’m ready to make some chili! Screw the hot weather. We can pretend! Haha

    Reply
  8. CARLA says

    09/08/2015 at 4:31 AM

    GIRL THIS IS SOOOO UP OUR ALLEY and the child and I finnally dragged out the crock pot too.

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:31 AM

      now if only Texas would get the hint it’s close to Fall and get cooler. But hey, at least we can sweat less over the stove with a crock pot. p.s welcome home!

      Reply
  9. neil@neilshealthymeals.com says

    09/08/2015 at 2:38 AM

    As we haven’t seen much of a summer here in Scotland (except for these last few days) something like this is absolutely ideal for those of us craving a summer bbq salad, but unable to actually do any bbqing!

    Love the concept of making this in a crock pot!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:28 AM

      next summer i will come visit you. I’ll bring the crock pot, you make the beet brownies

      Reply
  10. Natalie says

    09/08/2015 at 1:20 AM

    Time for me to get out the crock pot! I haven’t really used it all summer, but this salad looks so refreshing!! We love all things taco, so this will be a huge hit! xoxo

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:28 AM

      now is the time! haha brush it off and get it ready!

      Reply
  11. Jess says

    09/07/2015 at 10:37 PM

    I have been trying to embrace my crock pot with mixed results will have to give this one a go!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:17 AM

      oh no, what hasn’t been working? I am happy to help!

      Reply
  12. Jen @ Chase the red grape says

    09/07/2015 at 10:26 PM

    Another slow cook winner that I love! Cannot wait to slow cook again, still need to buy one in Australia.
    And I need all the summer recipes I can gather before everyone goes into fall mode and I have no inspiration for my upcoming summer!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:16 AM

      You so do! and then you can make salmon and zucchini! ANother favorite in the crock pot. Summer dish!

      Reply
  13. Heather@hungryforbalance says

    09/07/2015 at 9:09 PM

    Yes for more crock pot love!! It is seriously my favorite appliance. I just used mine to cook a whole bunch of sweet potatoes. And I bet this bbq taco salad would be delicious stuffed IN sweet potatoes.

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:16 AM

      oh yum! i bet those were good!

      Reply
  14. Katie says

    09/07/2015 at 8:56 PM

    you sure do make meal times a whole lot easier! xoxo

    Reply
  15. Jess @hellotofit says

    09/07/2015 at 8:13 PM

    I hardly use the crock pot…I’ve made only soup, pulled pork, and Vietnamese pho noodle soup! Gotta try these tacos…

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:29 AM

      this would actually make a good soup too! but gotta love a taco tuesday salad, right?

      Reply
  16. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    09/07/2015 at 7:32 PM

    Yum, this looks so delicious! I think it’s time I break out the slow cooker again, especially now that fall is here!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/08/2015 at 6:29 AM

      yes! FALL forever! haha. love Fall.

      Reply
  17. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    09/07/2015 at 4:38 PM

    I’m making chili right now! We have deer meat in it. Mmmm…

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 7:32 PM

      well now i want that!

      Reply
  18. RAchel @ Athletic avocado says

    09/07/2015 at 12:11 PM

    Taco Salads are my favorite thing ever! That’s the only thing I eat from my school’s grab n’ go Hub! This looks like perfection 🙂

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 1:05 PM

      Nice! good choice!

      Reply
  19. Olivia @ livforcake says

    09/07/2015 at 12:10 PM

    I frikken LOVE anything taco. This looks amazing and a perfect way to round off the end of summer :).

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 12:33 PM

      Yes! and maybe some reeses cookies …just sayin

      Reply
  20. She Rocks Fitness says

    09/07/2015 at 10:28 AM

    I will most definitely be making this soon…You know how much I love your slow cooker recipes and this will be perfect all year round on Nantucket! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 1:35 PM

      You are gonna LOVE !

      Reply
  21. Megan @ Skinny fitalicious says

    09/07/2015 at 9:38 AM

    You know how I feel about crockpots and 100 degrees. Genius! I make chicken chipotle bowls all the time. I love that you added zucchini to this one. You know that’s my favorite veggie? 😉

    Reply
  22. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says

    09/07/2015 at 8:56 AM

    I’m glad to see I’m in good company which is to say I’ve still got a handful of summer recipes coming to a blog near you soon.
    Hey, the way I see it, we have at least two more weeks of summer remaining, and I’m still getting crazy amounts of veggies in my food share. I’ve gotta work with what I’ve got. Shake what my momma gave me. 😉

    Reply
  23. Lisa @ RunWi says

    09/07/2015 at 8:54 AM

    I am a huge fan of my slow cooker all year round. In the summer when it’s hot, and in the school months when we’re busy, that thing gets put to good use– we are always on the hunt for more recipes. My only grip about the Crock Pot is that it doesn’t brown so you sometimes don’t get that deep, rich flavor from all of the brown bits. In my house it’s all about getting food in our bellies though, so convenience wins out over brown bits.

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 1:37 PM

      the browning is yum! If you make these without beans, you can add oil last, drain juice, and it will brown! 😉 Love you

      Reply
  24. Blair says

    09/07/2015 at 7:09 AM

    Love your creative slow cooker recipes, Lindsay! Keep ’em coming! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 8:33 AM

      youre my crock pot inspiration

      Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 1:37 PM

      i think i get it from YOU!

      Reply
  25. Erin @ The Almond Eater says

    09/07/2015 at 7:03 AM

    I LOOOOVE this salad–tons o’ flavor and filling too. Enjoy your Labor Day!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 8:31 AM

      you too friend! Mwah!

      Reply
  26. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    09/07/2015 at 6:25 AM

    HOLLA to my lunch! That means I want to eat this for lunch today. And maybe tomorrow…and probably the next day too!
    I am all about the crock pot, tacos, salads and THESE PHOTOS. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 8:33 AM

      my salad for lunch and yours for dinner = WINNING

      Reply
  27. Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says

    09/07/2015 at 5:56 AM

    I think I’m going to have to get out the crockpot tonight!! It may have cooled down enough to grill out East, but these would make PERFECT leftovers. Your rock, my dear! <3 Pinning!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch says

      09/07/2015 at 6:28 AM

      Yes, do it! <3

      Reply
  28. Susie @ Suzlyfe says

    09/07/2015 at 5:35 AM

    I have been making my TVP more and more into a sort of Taco flavor. It used to be more sloppy joe inspired, but apparently I need myself some sort of taco/bbq mix 😀 Great minds!

    Reply
  29. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    09/07/2015 at 4:51 AM

    You know how I love a good taco salad! And the crockpot makes me happy now that school and activities will be in full swing and there just isn’t time to cook when we get home. This looks too good 🙂

    Reply

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

About · Studio · Shop · Contact
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