EASY Mexican Salad Recipe (Lots of Colors, Flavors & Textures!)

This Mexican salad is one of my favourite facet dishes and it comes collectively so shortly! With heaps of veggies and a vibrant, citrusy dressing, you possibly can’t go unsuitable serving this on a weeknight in addition to at a celebration.

I like to serve this alongside enchiladas or tacos, however you possibly can simply simply scoop it up with some tortilla chips or potato chips, too. It’s additionally a surprisingly tasty topping for burgers!

Whether you’re on the lookout for a straightforward strategy to get dinner on the desk or a tasty facet dish for picnics and potlucks, this salad is a winner!

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Salad

Salads don’t should be boring! listed here are a number of the explanation why we all know you’ll love this one.

• The furthest from boring – Salads are likely to get a foul rep for being boring or blah, however these flavors are something however.
• Lots of texture and shade – With all of the chopped veggies, the textures and colours of this salad are unmatched.
• Homemade dressing – What’s an awesome salad with out a nice dressing to match? This one is mild, recent and full of taste.

Ingredients

The ingredient listing could seem just a little lengthy, however this salad comes collectively shortly. Plus, if it’s good to save on prep time, you should utilize components which can be already sliced and diced from the produce part at your grocery retailer. 

• Romaine Lettuce – One of my favourite varieties of lettuce, Romaine is a crisp and recent inexperienced that’s the base of the salad. 
• Black Beans – Beans add plant-based protein in addition to fiber which makes the salad extra nutritious and hearty. Be positive to empty and rinse the beans.
• Corn – Corn helps to present the salad vibrant shade. Be positive to empty it earlier than including it to the salad.
• Avocado – Avocado offers the salad extra shade and contributes a creamy texture. 
• Red Bell Pepper – These add crunchy texture and a bit of sweetness. If you need, you should utilize different varieties like inexperienced bell peppers or different colours. 
• Jalapeño Pepper – These peppers add a spicy kick to the salad. Be positive to take away the seeds earlier than dicing them. 
• Cilantro – I really like the herbaceousness that cilantro provides to this salad, however if you happen to’re not a fan of cilantro you possibly can omit it or substitute it with parsley or Thai basil. 
• Cherry Tomatoes – Tomatoes stability the salad with their acidity.
• Queso Fresco – This crumbled cheese provides creaminess and a slight bit of salty taste.
• Lime – I like to make use of recent lime juice within the French dressing however you should utilize store-bought juice in a pinch. 
• Olive Oil – Since that is the bottom of the French dressing, remember to use a high-quality selection for the most effective taste. 
• Cumin – Cumin is a key ingredient in Mexican delicacies and it offers the French dressing its earthy taste. 
• Chili Powder – Chili powder is ideal for including only a bit of a spicy kick to the dressing. 
• Salt – I like to make use of sea salt. You can use any selection of salt you want, however remember to use it — it brings out the flavors of the remainder of the components. 
• Pepper – Ground black pepper provides delicate spiciness to the dressing.

How to Make Mexican Salad

This salad is very easy to whip up, you’ll be placing this recipe on repeat! 

1. Make dressing. Add all of the dressing components to a small mixing bowl and stir collectively till fully mixed. You may put them in a mason jar and shake vigorously. 
2. Toss salad components. Add all of the salad components to a big mixing bowl. Toss to evenly disperse all of the components. 
3. Add dressing and serve. Drizzle the dressing excessive and toss once more. Serve instantly. 

What to Serve With Mexican Salad

This salad is a success all by itself! But you can too serve it alongside proteins like rooster, beef, or pork. It’s additionally the right facet dish for crispy Mexican rooster, spicy stuffed peppers, fish tacos, and chile relleno casserole. We additionally like it with quesadillas! 

Variations 

You can change issues as much as make your individual signature model of this salad. 

• Lettuce – Substitute completely different greens for the Romaine. 
• Aromatics – Try including crushed garlic to the dressing or crimson onions to the salad.
• Beans – Use pinto beans, kidney beans, or white beans as a substitute of black beans. 
• Cheese – Trade out the cheddar for every other selection you want. Monterey Jack, feta, cheddar, and cotija cheese are all nice choices. 
• Crunchiness – Add sliced radishes, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), or tortilla strips for crunchy texture. 
• Dressing – Swap out the dressing to your personal favourite like creamy avocado or a honey chipotle French dressing. 
• Protein – Top the salad with grilled rooster, beef, or shrimp.
• Heat – Add some spiciness to the lime dressing with a sprinkle of cayenne. You may add sizzling sauce — style as you go to get simply the fitting stage of warmth.
• Sweetness – Add diced mango or pineapple for a contact of candy taste.

Storage and Freezing

Since Mexican salad might be saved for a number of days, it’s an awesome possibility for meal prep! Just remember to wait till you’re able to serve to pour the dressing over high. 

This salad might be made forward and loved for a number of days as a predominant meal or a facet dish. When attainable, retailer the components individually and mix while you’re able to serve.

How to Store Leftover Mexican Salad

This Mexican salad will keep recent for 2 to 3 days in an hermetic container within the fridge. 

Can I Freeze this Mexican Salad?

We don’t suggest freezing this salad. The lettuce and different elements will change into soggy upon thawing.

Common Questions About Mexican Salad

Salads don’t should be boring! Check out some of our favourite salad recipes that we all know you’ll love too.

This straightforward Mexican Salad with lime dressing is the right facet dish for busy weeknights or to take to picnics and potlucks!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

• 1 head of romaine lettuce , chopped
• 1 can of black beans , drained and rinsed
• 1 can of corn , drained
• 1 avocado , diced
• 1 crimson bell pepper , diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper , seeded and diced
• 1/2 cup cilantro , chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved
• 5 oz Queso Fresco , crumbled
• 1 lime , juiced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Dressing:

• In a small mixing bowl, whisk collectively lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper till nicely mixed.

Salad:

• In a big mixing bowl, mix chopped romaine lettuce, drained and rinsed black beans, drained corn, diced avocado, diced crimson bell pepper, diced jalapeño pepper, chopped cilantro, cherry tomatoes and the crumbled queso fresco

• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss till all components are evenly coated.

• Serve and revel in!

Calories: 332 kcal, Carbohydrates: 12 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 30 g, Saturated Fat: 8 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17 g, Trans Fat: 0.3 g, Cholesterol: 24 mg, Sodium: 578 mg, Potassium: 510 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 4 g, Vitamin A: 2419 IU, Vitamin C: 61 mg, Calcium: 230 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 332

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: mexican salad