Mexican Chopped Salad – Inspired by the flavors of Mexico, this salad is loaded up with corn, avocado and cilantro with a dressing made of oil, lime juice and Mexican oregano from the Yucatan Peninsula and topped with pickled red onion and crispy corn tortillas.
I had some of the most incredible food during my two weeks in Mexico at the end of last year. The most memorable dining experiences ever, including one particular dish of Chilaquiles with a mole sauce that was the best thing I have EVER eaten. Couldn't stop thinking about it and I keep trying to recreate it.
Like so many people who have just visited a new country and come home feeling blown away – by the people, sights, culture and cuisine, I can't stop myself from attempting to recreate those special dishes.
Of course I brought back what I could for ingredients, including some oregano, cinnamon, epazote, Yucatan dried peppers (not including the vanilla and molcajete that couldn't get through customs with me) and I've been experimenting with different ways to incorporate them into our daily cooking.
This salad has a couple of things that remind me of Yucatan foods. We saw some of the biggest avocados I've ever seen there. So many different uses for corn. And pickled red onions - a favorite on panuchos.
This salad is by no means authentic, but it is inspired by a few of those special ingredients we enjoyed in Mexico.
How to Make a Mexican Inspired Chopped Salad
Make the dressing at the bottom of your salad bowl first. The dressing consists of oil and lime juice and some spices. I brought back some Mexican oregano and I use that here but if you don't have it, just replace with the more typical dried oregano. Just whisk it all together.
Chop the salad greens and add them to the bowl. Add the drained canned black beans and some halved cherry tomatoes. Of course we add corn – it's used in various ways in Mexico. (I dropped most of the corn that was supposed to be in these photos, oops! Don't drop yours!)
I added avocado and cilantro, both of which we saw at every market in Merida and Valladolid, including some of the biggest avocados I've ever seen. Mix everything together.
Garnish with some fried tortilla strips and some pickled red onions, the recipe for which I'll share on Friday.
Recipe
Mexican Inspired Chopped Salad
Ingredients
For The Salad:
- 2 cups of corn kernels
- 1 cup varied cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 15 oz can black beans
- 2 avocados (diced)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 170 g 6 oz bag butter lettuce, chopped
For The Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Garnish:
- Corn Tortillas cut into strips and fried.
- Pickeld red onions
Instructions
- Mix the dressing together in the bottom of the mixing bowl. Whisk together the oil, lime juice, spices and seasoning.
- Chop the salad greens and cilantro.
- Drain the beans and corn, halve the tomatoes and dice the avocado. Add to bowl and mix everything together.
- Garnish with fried tortilla strips and pickled red onion. Some Cotija cheese on top would be great as well. Drizzle with crema if you prefer. I drizzled mine with some thinned out yogurt.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used.
Hi I'm Jacqueline
I've been blogging for 10 years as I learn how to cook from scratch. I share my recipes to help you create easy, delicious, and (mostly) healthy food. I love fresh ingredients, spicy noodles, anything on toast, and reading a new cookbook with a glass of wine at my cabin. I'm so glad you've joined me.
Gena
Very good! So bright!
pipercooks
Thanks Gena!