Southwest Salad with Cilantro Ranch Dressing
Bright, bold, and irresistibly fresh, this Southwest Salad with Cilantro Ranch Dressing is a vibrant medley of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Loaded with crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, sweet corn kernels, and protein-packed black beans, it’s a hearty yet healthy choice for lunch or dinner. Crunchy tortilla strips and shredded cheddar cheese add indulgent layers of texture, while a zesty homemade cilantro ranch dressing infused with lime, garlic, and a hint of cumin ties everything together beautifully. Perfectly customizable with fresh jalapeño for a spicy kick, this easy-to-make salad comes together in under 20 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or gatherings. Serve it as a standalone meal or pair it with grilled chicken or steak for a Southwest-inspired feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 head Romaine lettuce
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup (drained and rinsed) Black beans
- 1 cup Corn kernels
- 1 large (diced) Avocado
- 0.5 cup (thinly sliced) Red onion
- 0.75 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Tortilla strips
- 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro
- 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 small (chopped) Fresh jalapeño (optional)
Instructions
Rinse and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
Drain and rinse the black beans, and add to the salad mixture.
Add the corn kernels (canned, frozen and thawed, or fresh) to the bowl.
Peel and dice the avocado, and arrange it on top of the salad.
Add thinly sliced red onion to the mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and tortilla strips over the top of the salad.
To make the cilantro ranch dressing, combine the fresh cilantro, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, milk, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and jalapeño (if using) in a blender or food processor.
Blend the dressing until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Drizzle the cilantro ranch dressing over the salad, or serve it on the side for individual portions.
Toss the salad just before serving to evenly coat the ingredients with the dressing.
Serve immediately and enjoy your Southwest Salad with Cilantro Ranch Dressing!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
614 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.9 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.4 g | 52% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 36 mg | 12% | |
| Sodium | 855 mg | 37% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.4 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.4 g | 41% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 18.3 g | 37% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 307 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 1009 mg | 21% | |
*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.
