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    Home » Salads

    Southwest Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

    Lindsay Moe

    380 shares

    This beautiful southwest salad is full of color and nutrients! It’s better than any restaurant salad, quick and easy to make, with lots of flavor and simple ingredients like lettuce, corn, tomatoes, black beans, and avocado.

    southwest salad in a white bowl surrounded by more vegetables and cilantro lime dressing
    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

    I usually make one main dish salad for dinner each week. It’s a good way to make sure we’re getting lots of veggies (and not eating too much cheese).

    I almost couldn’t believe it when one of my kids, who is very anti-salad, tried this and decided it was actually really good. Actually, I could believe it, because I love it too!

    What makes this the best southwest salad?

    Main dish salads are great for spring and summer because they’re light yet filling. The salad itself starts with a simple combination of ingredients like lettuce, corn, and tomatoes. Everything comes together with the cilantro lime dressing.

    It’s also topped with crispy, southwest flavored tortilla strips. If you can’t find any that are southwest flavored, feel free to leave them out or swap them for regular tortilla strips, crumbled tortilla chips, or even Doritos.

    southwest salad in a white bowl with more vegetables around

    I love the extra crunch the tortilla strips give, but you could also wrap the whole thing in a big soft tortilla or wrap and take it on the go. 

    While this salad is vegan, I’ve shared a few customizations down below for those who prefer to make it vegetarian or even add meat. It’s an easy way to make sure everyone in the house can have their needs met with one meal.

    Southwest salad ingredients

    • Lettuce
    • Black beans
    • Grape tomatoes
    • Corn
    • Scallions
    • Avocado
    • Tortilla strips
    southwest salad ingredients including lettuce, tomato, corn, tortilla strips, avocado, black beans, scallions

    How to make southwest salad

    Divide ingredients between two large bowls and top with cilantro lime southwest salad dressing.

    Southwest salad dressing ingredients

    • Cilantro
    • Lime juice
    • Olive oil
    • Garlic
    • Honey
    • Cumin
    • Chili powder
    • Salt
    cilantro lime dressing ingredients such as honey, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, and salt

    How to make southwest salad dressing

    In a small blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Drizzle over salad when ready to serve.

    Top tips and questions

    Do I need to make the southwest salad dressing in a blender?

    For this healthy salad I used a cilantro lime dressing. I used a Nutribullet (affiliate link) to make my dressing. It’s just the right size for small jobs like that.

    If you only have a blender or food processor you could probably use one of those, although it might be difficult with the small quantities. 

    If you don’t have a blender at all feel free to just finely chop the dressing ingredients and whisk it together in a small bowl.

    cilantro lime dressing in a small bowl with other ingredients for southwest salad

    What kind of lettuce is best for salad?

    I recommend using romaine lettuce for southwest salad. Other lettuces or leafy greens would work, but I like the texture of romaine.

    How do I chop lettuce for salad?

    I like to hold my head of romaine by the root end, then make a few cuts from end to end without cutting entirely through the root. Then turn the lettuce sideways and chop thin slices perpendicular to the cuts you just made.

    This should result in perfectly shredded lettuce. You can easily cut them bigger or smaller depending on your preference.

    How do I get a ripe avocado?

    I have a whole post about how to ripen avocados. I always recommend purchasing them rock hard, then letting them sit in a paper bag for a few days until it feels a little soft when pressed gently.

    Can I make this recipe in advance?

    Yes, you can prepare this salad up to 3 days ahead of time. Just be sure to keep the dressing and salad separate until ready to serve, and wait to cut your avocado when you’re ready to serve as well.

    vegan southwest salad in a white bowl

    Tips for customizing southwest salad

    • Add the avocado or ¼ cup sour cream to the dressing ingredients when mixing for a creamy southwest avocado dressing
    • Add cubed or shredded cheddar jack cheese
    • Add 1 cup of cooked quinoa for extra protein and texture
    • Cut grilled corn off the cob instead of using canned or frozen corn
    • Meat eaters can add grilled chicken
    • Swap the southwest tortilla strips for regular tortilla strips, crumbled tortilla chips, or Doritos
    • Use this salad as a filling for a wrap to take it to work, school, or anywhere on the go
    • Add slices of jalapeño to make it spicy

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    close up photo of a southwest salad in a white bowl with southwest dressing

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    southwest salad ingredients in a white bowl with other veggies around

    Southwest Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

    This flavorful vegan southwest salad is loaded with veggies like romaine lettuce, corn, tomatoes, black beans, avocado. It makes a great main dish salad!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 366kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    Southwest Salad

    • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
    • ½ cup low sodium canned black beans, rinsed and drained
    • 10 grape tomatoes, halved
    • ½ cup canned corn, or thawed frozen corn
    • ½ avocado, sliced
    • 2 scallions, thinly sliced, white and light green part only
    • ¾ cup southwest tortilla strips

    Cilantro Lime Dressing

    • ¼ cup cilantro
    • 2 tablespoons lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon honey
    • Salt, to taste

    Instructions

    Southwest Salad

    • Divide all salad ingredients amongst two large plates or bowls. Serve dressing on the side for dipping or pour desired amount over the top.

    Cilantro Lime Dressing

    • In a small blender or food processor, combine cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and honey until smooth. Taste and add salt as needed.
    • Serve on the side of the salad, or drizzle over just before serving.

    Notes

     

    Tips for customizing

    • Add the avocado or ¼ cup sour cream to the dressing ingredients when mixing for a creamy southwest avocado dressing
    • Add cubed or shredded cheddar jack cheese
    • Add 1 cup of cooked quinoa for extra protein and texture
    • Cut grilled corn off the cob instead of using canned or frozen corn
    • Meat eaters can add grilled chicken
    • Swap the southwest tortilla strips for regular tortilla strips, crumbled tortilla chips, or Doritos
    • Use this salad as a filling for a wrap to take it to work, school, or anywhere on the go
    • Add slices of jalapeño to make it spicy

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 935mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 9313IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

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    1. Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says

      May 30, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      YUM! Perfect summer salad! 🙂

      Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

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    380 shares