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Home » Recipes » Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Southwest Salad Recipe

Published: Apr 10, 2024 by Debra Clark · 28 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

You will love the bright fresh crunch in this easy big salad! This southwest salad recipe takes just minutes to make and is topped with a simple homemade vinaigrette. Whether you're looking for a tasty light lunch for two or a big side salad to share at dinner, this is an easy and delicious salad!

Big salad in a bowl being topped with a salad dressing.
Crunchy lettuce, fresh veggies and black beans combine to make an easy salad!
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Variations
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Southwest Salad Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

This salad is very simple, full of lots of crunch with great fresh ingredients.

✔️ Simple!

✔️ Fresh ingredients.

✔️ A big salad is always a great meal!

This is... dare I say a healthy salad! Light, fresh and delicious. It's perfect all year round.

Ingredients

The salad ingredients are simple. Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements. 

  • fresh greens - romaine lettuce or mixed greens
  • tomatoes - I used Roma tomatoes, but you can use grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
  • red bell pepper
  • red onion
  • corn
  • black beans, red kidney beans or pinto beans
  • crunchy tortilla chips

And to top it all off, a quick homemade Vinaigrette! The southwest salad dressing is easy to make and delicious. Even if you've never made salad dressing before.

If you'd prefer to purchase salad dressing, avocado cilantro dressing or a creamy dressing. Both would be delicious!

Big green salad in a large bowl.
Make a delicious easy green salad with just a few ingredients!

Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.

  1. Open a can of black beans. Rinse well under cold water and allow to drain while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
  2. Tear or dice the greens into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Cut the red onion and bell pepper into slivers.
  4. Slice the tomato.
  5. Add the greens, corn, beans, onion, tomato, and bell pepper into a large bowl. Toss with the homemade vinaigrette. Top with tortilla chips. Serve immediately.

Equipment

Plastic Cutting Board Set

Large bowl for the salad

FAQ's

What is the best lettuce to use?

I prefer romaine because it's my personal favorite, however you can certainly use green or red leaf lettuce, crunchy iceberg.

What is a Southwest salad made of?

Typically it contains black beans, fresh corn, tomatoes, cheese and tortilla strips.

Variations

  • grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken
  • spicy grilled shrimp
  • chunks of avocado
  • grilled corn on the cob
  • jicama
  • green onions
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • cotija cheese (my favorite!)
  • fresh cilantro
  • fresh lime
  • sour cream
  • homemade pico de gallo
Easy Southwest Salad in a bowl topped with a light vinaigrette.
This easy salad is perfect with a light vinaigrette!

Related recipes

  • Steakhouse Salad
  • Pear Vinaigrette Recipe
  • Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipes
  • Spinach Garbanzo Bean Salad
  • Outback Wedge Salad Recipe
  • Ooh, before I go we had more summer fun you can read about here - Family Fun Night

Serve with

Serve with plenty of tortilla chips, of course! This would be amazing with the Chicken Spaghetti or the Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole.

If you love this as much as I do, comment below, leaving a five-star rating. I would appreciate it!

Also, if you make it I would be honored if you took a moment to tag me so I can see your great eats! On Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover - thank you!

Salad dressing being poured over a green salad.
5 from 17 votes

Southwest Salad Recipe

This days salad takes minutes tot make! It's full of crunch and flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Southwestern
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 115kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 10 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens
  • 1 14.5 oz black beans rinsed and drained well
  • 1 tomato cut into wedges
  • ¼ cup black olives sliced
  • ½ bell pepper thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup cilantro minced
  • ¼ red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup frozen corn thawed
  • 1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Open the can of beans, rinse well under cold water and allow to drain completely.
  • Tear or dice the greens into bite sized pieces.
  • Slice the red onion and bell pepper.
  • Cut the tomato into small wedges.
  • Add the greens, corn, beans, onion, tomato, and bell pepper into a large bowl. Toss with the homemade vinaigrette or your favorite salad dressing. Top with tortilla chips. Serve immediately.

Love this recipe? Join the free membership group!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 809mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 22180IU | Vitamin C: 57.3mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 2.7mg

    Today seems like the perfect day to share this recipe for a light easy salad!! Personally, I love a big salad!

    I have three separate sets of HUGE bowls here at the house just to make the perfect "big" salad in. Does anyone else have this issue or am I unique?!!

    You choose, what's your favorite?!!

    This easy Southwest Salad Recipe is my new favorite!

    Let me tell you a bit about the inspiration for this recipe. Last summer Dan and I went on a great road trip. We went from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Santa Fe and then northwest to Mesa Verde National Park to tour the ancient Pueblo ruins.

    In a word, it was AMAZING!

    Ancient Pueblo Ruins in Mesa Verde National Park
    Mesa Verde National Park, Southwest Colorado

    We took two days to tour the park (you can read all about the adventure here!), honestly we could have been there for 10 and left with more to see next time.

    One of our hikes included touring the Pueblo Cliff Palace. We hiked all the way to the bottom of the valley with the tour group and then traveled thru the ruins.

    We snapped photos along the way and enjoyed the tour, the sights and lectures from the park rangers.

    Photos of Mesa Verde National Park
    A few more photos from the park.

    It was worth all the planning, the drive, park entrance cost, everything!

    If you haven't spent time touring National Parks (in my opinion) you're missing out. For simply the cost of admission, there are amazing sights to see and great things to learn and experience.

    After our hike, hot tired and exhausted we dined at a local restaurant. I had a Southwest Salad and it was crunchy fresh and delicious! I think you'll enjoy my version of this yummy meal!

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      Mexican Fruit Salad Recipe
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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 17 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lois says

      May 29, 2024 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my most favorite salads. Love it.

      Reply
    2. Lewis Johnson says

      February 21, 2019 at 10:38 am

      I'm making this tonight, it looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        February 21, 2019 at 6:53 pm

        Enjoy Lewis, this is a great salad!

        Reply
    3. Melissa Howell says

      September 21, 2018 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      This salad looks so refreshing and yummy! And I just discovered cotija cheese, and it is AMAZING!

      Reply
    4. Coleen Koehl says

      September 21, 2018 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      My daughter passed this recipe along and I tried it yesterday. Both my husband and I loved it!

      Reply
    5. Julie Evink says

      September 21, 2018 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      I make a similar salad a lot but never thought to add black olives! Such a great addition. Going on my regular salad rotation.

      Reply
    6. Michaela Kenkel says

      September 18, 2018 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      Looks like you had a great time!! Awesome photos and yummy salad recipe for me to try!! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:52 am

        You betcha Michaela!! Most definitely put Mesa Verde on your bucket list!!

        Reply
    7. Malinda says

      September 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      I'm in need of healthy salads like this!! Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:20 am

        Enjoy Malinda, I love this salad!!

        Reply
    8. Jennifer A Stewart says

      September 17, 2018 at 11:15 am

      5 stars
      I love all these southwest flavors and always need new options for lunch salads!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:23 am

        An easy lunch! Toss some grilled shrimp on top and it's dinner!

        Reply
    9. Danielle Green says

      September 17, 2018 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      A salad like this is so refreshing!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:26 am

        Most definitely Danielle, love a big salad!

        Reply
    10. michel says

      September 17, 2018 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      Those photos of mesa nat'l park are incredible... what a fun trip! The salad sounds so hearty I think I'll bring it to a tailgate party next weekend... I can only eat brats and burgers so often and would love to have something a LOT healthier to serve!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:27 am

        Ha! Ain't that the truth! Not many healthy eats for tailgating! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Healing Tomato says

      September 16, 2018 at 10:42 pm

      5 stars
      What a fresh and healthy salad recipe! I love the southwest flavors.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:31 am

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
    12. Kathy McDaniel says

      September 16, 2018 at 10:21 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fresh and tasty salad! I love Southwestern flavors so this is right up my alley. A must try recipe for me! Thanks for sharing!! (Love the National Park photos too!)

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:36 am

        Thanks Kathy, the park was amazing! We are already planning next summer's National Park trip - not sure where we are going yet, but it will be fun, I'm sure! Enjoy this salad, I hope you give it a try!!

        Reply
    13. Sandra says

      September 16, 2018 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes, huge fan of salads here and big bowls! Salad looks scrumptious and wow, what a hiking trip! Adding Mesa Verde National park to my must see list!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:37 am

        Yes! Be sure to visit Mesa Verde, it's so amazing! Enjoy the salad Sandra!!

        Reply
    14. Madi says

      September 15, 2018 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      This sounds like such an awesome salad! This would be such a hit at my house!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:51 am

        Most definitely, I hope you give it a try Madi!

        Reply
    15. Dan from Platter Talk says

      September 15, 2018 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      I love anything with balsamic and the southwest theme of this beautiful salad has my drooling glands working overtime; great job with this recipe!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:50 am

        Thank you so much Dan!

        Reply
    16. Liza says

      September 14, 2018 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Loving this recipe! It sounds like just what I need: filling, low-calorie, healthy and flavorful! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 19, 2018 at 6:50 am

        You're welcome Liza, enjoy! We love it!

        Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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