Name: Vibrant Mexican Chopped Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces; 2 ripe avocados, diced into ½-inch cubes; 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise; 1 cup fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears); 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced into ¼-inch pieces; 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained thoroughly; ½ red onion, finely diced; ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped; ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese; ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes); 1 teaspoon honey; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; ¼ teaspoon chili powder; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Description

A fresh, colorful, and satisfying salad bursting with flavor, perfect for any meal or gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 ripe avocados, diced into ½-inch cubes
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1 cup fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced into ¼-inch pieces
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained thoroughly
½ red onion, finely diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon chili powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Start by charring the corn. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the corn. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until you see a nice char. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let this dressing sit for 15 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
Grab a large salad bowl and combine the chopped romaine, diced bell pepper, finely diced onion, and black beans.
Layer the charred corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and avocado gently on top of the salad base.
Sprinkle the freshly chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese over everything for that extra flavor.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and give it a gentle toss to mix everything without bruising the ingredients. Serve immediately and watch your family dig in!

Notes

Add dressing just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp. Great as a side dish or a main course with added protein like shrimp or tofu.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 19g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 10g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: salad, Mexican, vegetarian, fresh, healthy