This Southwest Salad is one of my most popular salads! A family favorite that can be served at BBQs, potlucks, and parties all year long.

 

 

All the flavors in this salad are out of this world. And while you’ll love all the flavors in the salad itself, it’s the dressing that really makes it.

A cilantro lime vinaigrette, it’s the thing we literally lick out of the bowl after the rest of the salad is gone. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to make this southwest salad recipe. Chop everything and toss it together and it’s done!

And this southwest corn and black bean salad has the perfect texture. It’s crunchy, soft, and your taste buds will love it.  Plus it is also easily customizable. Mix and match your favorites to create your best salad.

We love making your salad ahead of time, then you can have it as a meal prep all week! 

But the best part of this southwest avocado salad is the southwest salad dressing. It’s heavenly and delicious and what really takes this fresh salad to the next level.

 

 

What Ingredients Are in Southwestern Salad

You’ll be using common and simple ingredients to make this delicious southwestern salad.

• Lettuce: You can use romaine lettuce, spring lettuce, spinach, or any sort of lettuce mix.
• Fresh Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have less water than larger tomatoes so use those. You could also substitute with cherry tomatoes.
• Onion: I use green onions. They’re mild and perfect. You could also use a red onion though it has a little more bite.
• Bell Peppers: Using a combination of both red bell pepper and yellow bell pepper gives your chopped salad color and nutrition.
• Beans: Black beans are our favorite. You could also use pinto beans or red kidney beans.
• Corn: You can use frozen corn, canned corn, or fresh corn for this amazing salad. Your choice!
• Avocado: You could easily leave this out but I find it adds so much to texture and flavor.
• Cheese: I use a Mexican blend cheese. Any brand works. You could also use cotija cheese.

Pro Tips:

• If using canned corn and canned beans, don’t forget to drain them first!
• For an extra crunch toss on crunchy tortilla strips when ready to serve.
• Fresh sweet corn tastes so good when cooked up on the grill!
• Make it a vegan salad by omitting the cheese.

 

 

How to Make a Southwest Salad

Making creamy southwest salad is so simple!

1. Chop: You’ll want to get all your veggies to bite sized pieces.
2. Mix: And using a large bowl, toss it all together! Simple!

Pro Tip:

• If you like to keep your lettuce crisp, serve all the ingredients as a salad bar!

 

 

What Dressing Do You Use on Southwest Salad

While you could technically use any dressing you wanted on those delicious veggies, you want to use this one. Zesty cilantro lime dressing!

This southwest dressing is all about those southwest flavors. It’s easy to make and our favorite part. You don’t need a food processor for homemade cilantro lime Vinaigrette. You’ll just toss the ingredients all together in a small bowl.

• Cilantro: Cut this relatively small to mix into the rest of the ingredients.
• Vegetable Oil: You could also use avocado oil or olive oil.
• Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice packs much more flavor but you could use bottled in a pinch.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds a tiny bit of a bite but you’ll love that in your vinaigrette.
• Salt and Pepper: You can add these to taste.
• Garlic: Use fresh minced garlic or garlic paste.

Pro Tips:

• Double the vinaigrette! It really is the best part!
• If you like creamy dressings, I suggest trying our Cilantro Lime Dressing

 

 

Can You Make Southwest Salad Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This is a great meal prep salad that can last you all week. Here’s some tips for how to make it last:

1. Keep the dressing and the salad separate until you’re ready to serve. That way your lettuce won’t wilt.
2. Don’t cut the avocado until you want it. Nothing can keep it from turning brown once it’s cut.
3. Keep the veggies separate. I find I only need to do this if it needs to last a long time. But if you’ll eat it within 2 days, just toss them all.

How Long Does Southwest Salad Last?

Your delicious salad will last up to 5 days – as long as you don’t add the vinaigrette on top before storing. You’ll want to keep it covered in an airtight container in the fridge.

Always be sure to use fresh veggies to help the entire salad stay good longer. Don’t freeze it though as it will cause wilted lettuce and nothing else will taste quite as good either.

 

 

What Meat Can I Add to This Salad?

This is an easy vegetarian salad but you can easily make it a full meal by adding meat. Here is how to serve your salad with plenty of protein.

• Pork: Baked Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup , Pulled Pork Quesadillas, or Smoked Pork Butt
• Chicken Breast: Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken or Air Fryer Chicken
• Steak: Stuffed Flank Steak, Steak Kabobs, or Pepper Steak with Stew Meat
• Turkey: Cooking a Turkey in a Roaster or How to Smoke a Turkey

Pro Tip:

• If you’re in a rush, pick up a rotisserie chicken and make your life simple.
• Don’t forget you can also easily make this into a southwest salad bowl by adding rice!
• Good pairings would be Mexican Lime Rice, Buttered Rice, or Easy Mexican Rice.

 

 

Southwest Salad is a delicious, easy, and healthy salad! It’s quick to make and a crowd pleaser! Enjoy this salad at parties, potlucks, family gatherings, and all your big events!

 

Originally Posted: May 3, 2014

Photos & Text Updated: May 17, 2022

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