Southwest Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

This southwest salad with cilantro lime dressing is fresh, zesty and will feed a crowd! Chopped veggies on top of crispy romaine lettuce, with a zesty cilantro lime dressing will have you coming back for more.

Every year when the warm weather starts, our family is craving a fresh recipe and this is the one they want. It’s full of fresh veggies and flavors and you don’t have to slave over a hot stove in the heat to get this dish on the table.

Southwest salad with cilantro lime dressing can be a meal itself or can easily become a side dish. Taco spiced grilled chicken and a skillet of cornbread go perfectly with this salad. Because of the “southwestern” flare of the salad you can easily season up ground beef with taco seasoning and sprinkle it on top for a “taco salad”. Or you could even serve it up with some grilled fish!

Because the ingredients in this recipe are likely already in your fridge, it makes this a very easy recipe and it’s very kid friendly. You can also add or omit your own ingredients and make this salad customizable to your family.

My favorite thing about this recipe is how easy it is to make. Chop up your veggies and add them to a salad bowl, then whip up your cilantro lime dressing and you’re done.

Let’s make it

• 3 heads of romaine lettuce, sliced thin
• 15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 c. chopped bell pepper
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 15 oz. can of corn, drained
• 5 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 c. sliced red onion
• 1 or 2 avocados, peeled and diced

Romaine lettuce is a great base to use for this salad but any greens will do. Slice up about 3 heads of romaine lettuce, thinly. On top of the lettuce, add your other chopped, fresh ingredients. Black beans, corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, green onions, red onion and avocado.

Cilantro Lime Dressing

Once you’re done making the salad, it’s time to make the dressing. In a small blender cup, add all of the ingredients for the cilantro lime dressing and blend.

• 1 c. cilantro
• 1/2 c. plain greek yogurt
• 2 T. lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. cumin

Our family loves this cilantro lime salad dressing so much that we use it in other meals. It’s great for a topping on your tacos, and even as a dipping sauce for grilled chicken. There are so many variations for this salad and dressing.

Variations for this recipe

• Like it spicy? Add fermented jalapeno peppers to the salad.
• Use any variety of bell peppers to make the colors pop.
• Love avocado? Add more!
• Add fresh corn off the cob, instead of canned corn.
• Dice up a big tomato fresh off the vine instead of cherry tomatoes.
• Switch out the olive oil for an avocado oil.
• Add 1/2 tsp. chili powder to the dressing for an extra kick