Southwest Salad

Southwest Salad – Bursting with small kidney beans, corn, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, cheese, crispy lettuce, onions and bathed in Creamy-smooth Avocado Dressing, topped with blue corn tortilla chips. A super simple and classic salad that can be eaten in any season, be it summer, winter, spring or fall!

We love salads. Our few favorite salads are Quinoa black bean salad, Wild Rice Salad, Chole Salad, Tabouli salad, Balela Salad, and Spicy Mexican Italiano Salad. This Southwest Salad recipe is no exception.

Southwestern Salad takes about 15 minutes to prep, start to finish. It is a great way to get a light, fresh and filling meal on the table in no time. My family loves this salad as a light lunch or dinner.

Ingredients required to make Southwest Salad –

The ingredients are genuinely easily available in your pantry/fridge. Here is what you will need :

Fresh Greens –

I have used lettuce to make this southwestern salad, as we are lettuce lovers and its always there in my refrigerator. But you may use any greens like spring mix, baby arugula for this salad.

Corn –

To make this simple salad, I have used Frozen corn. I just thawed for an hour before adding it into a salad. You may use fresh too if it is available.

Tomatoes –

We love Cherry tomatoes in our everyday salad recipes. These little guys are much sweeter and more reliable year around.

Bell Peppers –

I personally prefer to mix colors of bell peppers. But it’s up to you. You can use any bell pepper.

Kidney beans –

In McDonald’s Southwest salad, they use black beans. I had small red kidney beans in my pantry so I have used that. You can use any.

I usually boil my kidney beans in Instant Pot. It’s so easy. Just soak kidney beans for few hours and cook it under high pressure for about 15 minutes, and naturally release the pressure.

Onions –

I love red onions in my salads but feel free to use any onions or leave these out entirely if you prefer. Make sure it is finely chopped and it is not over-powering.

Corn Chips –

Corn chips add crunch and flavors to this salad. I have used organic small blue corn tortilla chips. It fits perfectly on a fork as it is bite size. You may use your choice of chips or can completely skip it.

Salad Dressing –

Today, I am using Avocado Salad Dressing. Avocado salad dressing is just as easy as this southwest salad recipe. With just 6 ingredients, which is easily available in your home. This salad dressing recipe is simple, healthy and straightforward.

But you may use any dressing of your choices like Orange Vinaigrette, Creamy dill dressing or this simple lime dressing.

Cheese –

Use any shredded cheese of your choice.

If you want to make this D to the Licious, add grilled corn and bell peppers.

How to make Best South West Salad?

One of the reason we like this salad and make it so often is that it is so quick and easy to make (I know I have told you this couple of times above 🙂 ). Here is what you do –

Whisk the Avocado Dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.

Chop the veggies. Gather all the ingredients, beans, veggies, cheese, chips, in a salad bowl then toss them with the salad dressing.

See how ridiculously easy that was!?

The ingredients for this recipe can be adjusted for one serving or for a crowd. This recipe of Southwest Salad can be multiplied as needed.

Southwestern Salad Recipe is perfect to build your own Salad counter for any party. Set out of the salad ingredients in separate bowls and let people build their own salads that way.

Can we make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can. The only thing you should keep in mind that, mix the dressing before serving and add corn chips before serving.

So if you are looking for the simple, easy and quick Salad Recipe for your rotation, Pin or bookmark this fabulous recipe. I can vouch that it’s a keeper!

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