Heart-Healthy Grilled Cactus with Lime and Cilantro
Elevate your healthy eating game with our Heart-Healthy Grilled Cactus with Lime and Cilantro—a vibrant and nutritious recipe that celebrates fresh, bold flavors. Featuring tender grilled cactus paddles (nopales) brushed with a zesty marinade of olive oil, garlic, lime juice, and spices, this dish is packed with fiber and antioxidants while keeping your heart happy. The grilling process creates smoky char marks that enhance the natural flavors of the cactus paddles, which are then topped with a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro for an herby finish. Perfect as a unique side dish or salad ingredient, this recipe is quick to prepare, ready in just 30 minutes, and offers an irresistible combination of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy notes. Serve with extra lime juice for a refreshing pop, and enjoy the taste of health-conscious Southwestern cuisine!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 medium cactus paddles (nopales)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Start by cleaning the cactus paddles: use a sharp knife to scrape off the spines and any blemishes from the paddles.
Rinse the cleaned paddles thoroughly under cold water to remove any remaining residue. Pat dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Brush the cactus paddles generously with the prepared olive oil and lime mixture on both sides.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Place the cactus paddles on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are tender and have nice grill marks.
Remove the grilled cactus from the grill and let them cool slightly. Slice the grilled cactus into strips or smaller pieces as preferred.
Transfer the sliced cactus to a serving platter and sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the top.
Serve immediately as a side dish or as part of a salad. Squeeze additional lime juice over the top for extra flavor if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
348 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.1 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1258 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 21.2 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.3 g | 40% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g | ||
| Protein | 7.2 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 704 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 4.4 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 1224 mg | 26% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
