Mexican Chopped Salad

This gluten-free, dairy-free Mexican Chopped Salad is fresh, vibrant, and makes a great lunch. Top if off with our Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette for a delicious side dish that will go well with almost any Mexican entree like our Dutch Oven Carnitas, Chicken Fajita Casserole, or Chicken Taco Soup.

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When I find a solid salad recipe, I don’t branch out much. I tend to reach for our Autumn Chopped Salad recipe and our Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad.

However, after recently tweaking this Mexican Chopped Salad and fine-tuning its vinaigrette, I have no doubt this salad will find its way into our regular rotation.

What’s In Mexican Chopped Salad?

This salad is packed with a delicious combination of Mexican-inspired flavors and textures. Don’t feel too locked into these ingredients, though. You can swap out or add veggies to your liking. That’s the beauty about salads!

Here is what you’ll need for the salad:

• Leafy green lettuce – Romaine works well
• Black beans – Rinsed and drained
• Corn – Canned, frozen, or fresh
• Tomatoes – I used cherry tomatoes but any kind will work
• Cucumber – Could sub for a bell pepper
• Avocado – Add right before serving so it doesn’t turn brown
• Red onion – Make sure to dice this up really well. Adds lots of flavor!

What Dressing to Use with Mexican Chopped Salad

While this salad would work great with our Southwest Ranch dressing, I love to pair it with our Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette!

The vinaigrette is light and zingy. There is a hint of sweetness added by the honey. The “zing” comes from apple cider vinegar. It reminds me a bit of our addictive Chopped Fiesta Salad.

I have written the recipe so that you blend the dressing in a food processor or blender. However, I’ve been known to skip that step and just give it a good shake. The cilantro pieces will be bigger but, if that doesn’t bother you, feel free to skip the blending step.

What to Serve with Mexican Chopped Salad

This salad will go well with all sorts of recipes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Slow Cooker Beef Taquitos or Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos

• Shredded Beef Tacos or as a side dish at your next Taco Bar

• Ground Beef Quesadillas

If you like making your own salad dressing at home, be sure to check out our 10+ Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings.