This post will teach you how to make a haystack (the kind YOU eat, not your livestock). This easy haystack recipe should NOT be confused with a taco salad.

How to Make a Haystack

I write this post tongue-in-cheek. Mostly. Haystacks were a staple in our home growing up. So by the time I entered the work force and had my first conversation about haystacks, my preferences had set in cement.

“What will you serve for bunco next Thursday night?” my colleague asked me.

“Haystacks, I think. They’re easy to prepare and everyone can fix them they way they like them.”

“What’s a haystack?”

“You know, you start with corn chips, add cheese, rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and other toppings.”

“Oh. You mean a taco salad?”

“I don’t know. What’s a taco salad?”

“You mix corn chips with cheese, a can of kidney beans, lettuce, and tomatoes.”

“You MIX it?” I questioned in shocked disbelief. You don’t MIX a haystack. Do you heat the beans up?”

“No.” My friend shook her head. “You just drain them first.”

“Oh. Trust me, a taco salad and a haystack are NOT the same. I’ll show you how to make a haystack at bunco on Thursday!”

A haystack is NOT the same thing as a taco salad. Learn how to make a haystack the right way ;). #prepareahead #feedacrowd #vegetarian Click To Tweet

Easy Haystack Recipe

Now that we have that out of the way, let me explain why I build my haystacks the way I do. I rarely use corn chips these days, because now that I’m older and more health conscious, I try to avoid foods laden with fat. I opt for organic corn tortilla chips instead.

It’s important that the cheese goes on next. Why? You may ask. It’s simple. I can’t stand cold, wet, soggy cheese (which is what happens if the cheese comes in contact with the lettuce). Cheese tastes best hot and melted (that’s why we all love pizza, right?).

Next I like to add brown rice, basmati is my favorite because it cooks in no time at all in my Instant Pot. After the rice, I pour on some piping-hot black bean chili.

Some people mistake the ‘hay’ in the stack as being the chips. I disagree. The lettuce is the main part. Nothing’s worse than having the serving lady offer you a paltry portion of lettuce for your haystack. I work at a school that serves haystacks biweekly, so you may never have to beg the serving lady for a heartier portion of lettuce. Remember, this is supposed to be a healthy haystack.

What you put on top of the lettuce is up to you. I like fresh tomatoes, olives, and fresh, homemade salsa. Some people add sour cream, but since I don’t like sour cream I don’t use it.

Make Ahead and Feed a Crowd

My favorite way to eat haystacks is to use the chips to pick things up with. I guess that makes it more like nachos than a taco salad. If you plan to act all civilized and use a fork, I highly recommend breaking the chips up in step one.

Caution: Start small. If you take too many chips, you’ll soon discover that your haystack has outgrown your plate.

Another benefit of the haystack? You can make everything ahead of time, come home from church or school, and feed a crowd. Since everyone prepares their own place, people who like cold, soggy cheese can put it on top of their lettuce of they want to. Just sayin’.

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Are there any toppings that you love on your haystack? Are you a ‘cheese under the hot stuff’ or a ‘placement doesn’t matter’ kind of person? We can still be friends, no matter what your preference.

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