This delightful Mexican chopped salad is a feast of flavors and textures. It combines the freshness of crisp lettuce, sweetness of corn, tanginess of tomatoes, creaminess of avocados, and the bite of red onions with the hearty substance of black beans. The salad is then topped off with crunchy tortilla strips and a delicious lime cilantro dressing.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are quite common and can be found in any supermarket. The mini orange peppers offer a sweet and slightly fruity flavor. They can be found in most supermarkets, but if you can't find them, bell peppers are a suitable substitute. Greek yogurt is used in the dressing for its tangy flavor and creamy texture. If it's not readily available, sour cream can be used instead.
Mexican Chopped Salad Ingredients
Romaine lettuce: This is the base of the salad and offers a fresh, crisp texture.
Corn ears: They add a sweet, juicy pop to the salad.
Mini orange peppers: These give a sweet and slightly spicy flavor.
Roma tomatoes: They provide a juicy, acidic tang to the salad.
Cucumber: It adds a refreshing crunch.
Red onion: This ingredient gives a sharp, spicy bite.
Avocados: They add a creamy, rich texture.
Black beans: These beans provide a hearty, earthy element.
Tortilla strips: They add a crunchy texture to the salad.
Greek yogurt: It's a healthier alternative to mayonnaise in the dressing.
Mayonnaise: It adds a creamy, tangy flavor to the dressing.
Milk: This thins out the dressing to the right consistency.
Cilantro: It gives a fresh, aromatic flavor.
Garlic: It adds a pungent, spicy note to the dressing.
Onion powder: This enhances the flavor of the dressing.
Cumin: It gives the dressing a warm, earthy flavor.
Cayenne pepper: It adds a spicy kick to the dressing.
Salt and pepper: They season the salad and enhance all the other flavors.
Lime juice: It adds a tangy, citrusy note to the dressing.
One reader, Debbi Etheridge says:
This Mexican chopped salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and zesty lime cilantro dressing is simply divine. The flavors are so vibrant and refreshing, making it the perfect dish for a summer gathering. I highly recommend trying this recipe!
Techniques Required for Making a Mexican Chopped Salad
How to prepare the Mexican salad: This involves washing and chopping the romaine lettuce, grilling the corn, dicing the mini orange peppers, roma tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and avocados, and rinsing the black beans.
How to make the lime cilantro dressing: Combine the greek yogurt, mayonnaise, milk, cilantro, garlic, onion powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper, and lime juice in a mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined, adjusting the consistency with more milk or lime juice if needed.
How to store the lime cilantro dressing: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
How to plate the Mexican chopped salad: Arrange the prepared salad on a serving platter or individual plates, then top it with tortilla strips and drizzle with the lime cilantro dressing before serving.
How To Make Mexican Chopped Salad
Grab a bite of this crunchy chopped salad, loaded with lettuce, corn, and tomato, all tossed in a creamy lime-cilantro dressing, for a tasty side!
Serves:
Ingredients
For Mexican Salad:
- 1romaine lettuce head,chopped
- 2corn ears,raw, kernels cut from cob
- 4mini orange peppers,or 1 large orange pepper, diced
- 4roma tomatoes,diced
- 1cucumber,peeled and diced
- ½medium red onion,chopped
- 2avocados,ripe but still slightly firm, diced
- 1canblack beans,drained, rinsed
- tortilla strips,optional
For Lime Cilantro Dressing:
- 1cupGreek yogurt,whole plain
- 2tbspmayonnaise,full-fat
- 6tbspmilk,more or less as desired
- ½cupcilantro,packed, very finely chopped
- 1garlic clove,minced
- ½tsponion powder
- ¼tspcumin
- 3pinchescayenne pepper
- salt and freshly ground black pepper,to taste
- 2tbsplime juice,fresh
Instructions
-
Toss the lettuce, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, avocados, and beans together in a bowl.
-
Add the yogurt, mayonnaise, milk, cilantro, garlic, onion powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper, and lime juice to a mixing bowl, then whisk until combined. Add more milk or lime juice, if desired, for a thinner consistency.
-
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
-
Plate the salad, then top with tortilla strips and dressing. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Wait to drizzle on the salad dressing until the salad is ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 355.89kcal
- Fat: 18.03g
- Saturated Fat: 4.13g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7.84g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.03g
- Carbohydrates: 40.91g
- Fiber: 15.52g
- Sugar: 12.10g
- Protein: 14.00g
- Cholesterol: 9.76mg
- Sodium: 1245.04mg
- Calcium: 149.52mg
- Potassium: 1313.71mg
- Iron: 3.84mg
- Vitamin A: 620.20µg
- Vitamin C: 126.37mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Preparing Mexican Chopped Salad
When preparing the lime cilantro dressing, it's best to finely chop the cilantro before adding it to the mix. This will help to evenly distribute the flavor throughout the dressing. Additionally, consider using fresh lime juice instead of bottled for a fresher, more vibrant taste. If the dressing is too thick for your liking, gradually add more milk or lime juice until you reach your desired consistency. Remember, it's easier to add more liquid than to remove it, so add slowly and taste frequently to ensure the perfect balance of flavors.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Mexican Chopped Salad
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare the vegetables and dressing components in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned black beans to save time on cooking and preparation.
Multi-task: While the dressing is chilling in the refrigerator, use that time to chop the salad ingredients.
Invest in pre-cut veggies: Consider purchasing pre-cut vegetables to minimize prep time.
Streamline assembly: Organize your work station and ingredients to efficiently assemble the salad.
Substitute Ingredients For Mexican Chopped Salad Recipe
romaine lettuce - Substitute with iceberg lettuce: Iceberg lettuce has a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable substitute for romaine in the salad.
corn ears - Substitute with canned corn: Canned corn is a convenient alternative to fresh corn ears and can be easily added to the salad without the need for cooking.
mini orange peppers - Substitute with bell peppers: Bell peppers, particularly red or yellow, can be used as a substitute for mini orange peppers, adding a sweet and colorful element to the salad.
roma tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can be used as a substitute for Roma tomatoes, providing a burst of sweetness and vibrant color to the salad.
cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Thinly sliced or spiralized zucchini can be used as a substitute for cucumber, offering a similar crisp texture and mild flavor.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can be used as a substitute for red onion, providing a milder and slightly sweeter flavor to the salad.
avocados - Substitute with mangoes: Diced mangoes can be used as a substitute for avocados, offering a sweet and tropical twist to the salad.
black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans can be used as a substitute for black beans, providing a creamy texture and nutty flavor to the salad.
tortilla strips - Substitute with crispy chickpeas: Crispy chickpeas can be used as a substitute for tortilla strips, adding a crunchy element and protein boost to the salad.
greek yogurt - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream can be used as a substitute for Greek yogurt in the lime cilantro dressing, offering a tangy and creamy base.
mayonnaise - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can be used as a substitute for mayonnaise in the lime cilantro dressing, providing a lighter and healthier alternative.
milk - Substitute with buttermilk: Buttermilk can be used as a substitute for milk in the lime cilantro dressing, adding a tangy flavor and creamy consistency.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used as a substitute for cilantro in the lime cilantro dressing, offering a fresh and herbaceous flavor.
garlic clove - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic clove in the lime cilantro dressing, providing a convenient and milder garlic flavor.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Finely chopped onions can be used as a substitute for onion powder in the lime cilantro dressing, adding a pungent and aromatic flavor.
cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander can be used as a substitute for cumin in the lime cilantro dressing, offering a similar warm and earthy flavor profile.
cayenne pepper - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can be used as a substitute for cayenne pepper in the lime cilantro dressing, providing a mild and smoky heat.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice can be used as a substitute for lime juice in the lime cilantro dressing, offering a tangy and citrusy flavor.
Best Presentation for Mexican Chopped Salad
Artful arrangement of ingredients: Carefully arrange the romaine lettuce, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocados, and black beans on the plate, ensuring a visually appealing and balanced composition.
Garnish with crispy tortilla strips: Sprinkle the top of the salad with crispy tortilla strips, adding a delightful crunch and visual interest to the dish.
Drizzle with zesty lime cilantro dressing: Using a steady hand, drizzle the vibrant lime cilantro dressing over the salad, ensuring an even distribution and a pop of fresh, tangy flavor.
Elevate with a touch of microgreens: Add a touch of delicate microgreens to the salad, providing a subtle hint of earthy freshness and an elegant finishing touch.
Present in a contemporary bowl or plate: Choose a modern and stylish bowl or plate to present the Mexican chopped salad, enhancing the overall visual appeal and sophistication of the dish.
Incorporate edible flowers for a touch of elegance: Introduce edible flowers as a sophisticated and visually stunning garnish, elevating the presentation with a touch of natural beauty.
Highlight the vibrant colors of the ingredients: Emphasize the vibrant hues of the fresh ingredients by arranging them in a manner that showcases their natural colors, creating an eye-catching and appetizing display.
Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for depth: Finish the dish with a delicate sprinkle of smoked paprika, adding a subtle depth of flavor and a hint of smokiness to the salad.
Essential Tools for Making a Mexican Chopped Salad
- Cutting board: A flat surface used for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients.
- Chef's knife: A versatile knife used for various kitchen tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing.
- Salad spinner: A kitchen tool used to wash and dry salad greens efficiently.
- Mixing bowl: Used for combining ingredients and mixing dressings or marinades.
- Whisk: A kitchen utensil used for blending ingredients together and incorporating air into mixtures.
- Can opener: Used to open canned ingredients such as beans.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurately measuring ingredients for the dressing.
- Food processor: Useful for blending the ingredients for the dressing and achieving a smooth consistency.
- Citrus juicer: Used to extract juice from limes for the dressing.
- Tongs: Helpful for tossing the salad ingredients together.
- Serving platter: Used for presenting the finished salad.
Storing and Freezing Mexican Chopped Salad
- To store the mexican chopped salad, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- If you have leftover salad that has already been mixed with the dressing, it can still be stored in the refrigerator, but the texture may change slightly due to the moisture from the dressing.
- To keep the avocado from turning brown, squeeze a little extra lime juice over the top before storing.
- If you want to prepare the salad in advance, you can chop all the vegetables and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Mix them together just before serving.
- The lime cilantro dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Unfortunately, this salad does not freeze well due to the high water content in the vegetables, which can cause them to become mushy and lose their texture when thawed.
- If you have leftover grilled corn, you can freeze it separately for up to 6 months and add it to the salad when ready to serve.
Interesting Fact About Mexican Chopped Salad
The Mexican chopped salad is a nutritious and delicious dish that offers a variety of flavors and textures. It is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy choice for any meal. The lime cilantro dressing adds a zesty and refreshing touch to the salad, enhancing its overall taste. This salad is a perfect option for those looking to incorporate more vegetables and legumes into their diet, providing a satisfying and filling meal. It's a versatile recipe that can be customized with additional ingredients such as grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
Is Making Mexican Chopped Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
This Mexican chopped salad recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and black beans, are affordable and readily available. The addition of avocados and corn may slightly increase the cost, but they provide essential nutrients and flavors. The lime cilantro dressing uses simple and inexpensive ingredients like yogurt, cilantro, and lime juice. Overall, this recipe offers a healthy and budget-friendly option for a family meal. Verdict: 9/10. Approximate cost: $15-20.
Is This Mexican Chopped Salad Healthy or Unhealthy?
This Mexican chopped salad recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced meal. It contains a variety of fresh vegetables, including romaine lettuce, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The addition of black beans offers a good source of plant-based protein and complex carbohydrates. Avocados contribute healthy monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. The lime cilantro dressing, made with Greek yogurt and a modest amount of mayonnaise, is a healthier alternative to traditional high-fat dressings.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this salad:
- Opt for whole grain tortilla strips or replace them with a handful of crushed nuts for added protein and healthy fats
- Include a variety of colorful vegetables to ensure a wide range of antioxidants and phytochemicals
- Consider adding lean protein sources like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it a more substantial meal
- Experiment with different herbs and spices in the dressing, such as chili powder or smoked paprika, to boost flavor without relying on excessive salt or sugar
Editor's Opinion on This Mexican Chopped Salad Recipe
The Mexican chopped salad recipe is a delightful blend of fresh and vibrant ingredients, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. The combination of crisp romaine lettuce, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, and zesty lime cilantro dressing offers a refreshing and satisfying experience. The addition of black beans and tortilla strips provides a delightful contrast, adding depth and crunch to each bite. The lime cilantro dressing, with its creamy and tangy profile, complements the salad beautifully, elevating the overall dish. It's a perfect choice for a light and flavorful meal that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine.
Enhance Your Mexican Chopped Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Mexican Chopped Salad
Perfect Appetizers and Desserts for Mexican Chopped Salad
Why trust this Mexican Chopped Salad Recipe:
This recipe offers a vibrant and flavorful Mexican chopped salad that celebrates fresh, wholesome ingredients. The combination of crisp romaine lettuce, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, and hearty black beans creates a satisfying and nutritious dish. The zesty lime cilantro dressing adds a burst of tangy and herbaceous flavors, perfectly complementing the salad. With the use of Greek yogurt for creaminess and a touch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat, this recipe promises a delightful and well-balanced culinary experience. Trust in this recipe for a delightful and satisfying meal that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
Bacon Potato Salad Recipe
Japanese-Style Cabbage Salad Recipe
Fattoush Salad with Mint Dressing Recipe
Shrimp and Asparagus Foil Packs with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
Quinoa Huevos Rancheros Bowls Recipe
Indian Red Lentil Dal Recipe
Pumpkin Crunch Pie Recipe
Quick Mussels Fra Diavolo Recipe
Spinach Tortellini en Brodo Recipe
Grape Tomatoes and Sauteed Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Slow Cooker Party Wings Recipe
