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Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

Southwest Salad Recipe

Published: Apr 10, 2023 · Modified: May 29, 2023 by Bowl Me Over · 27 Comments

Jump to 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!

Easy Southwest Salad recipe with bright crunchy vegetables and fresh homemade 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

Big green salad in a white bowl with plenty of crunchy fresh ingredients.
Make a delicious easy green salad with just a few 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
  • black beans, red kidney beans or pinto beans

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!

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. Toss everything into a large bowl and top with homemade vinaigrette.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   

Plastic Cutting Board Set

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.

Balsamic dressing drizzled over easy southwest salad recipe
This easy salad is perfect with a light vinaigrette!

Variations

  • grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken
  • spicy grilled shrimp
  • chunks of avocado
  • grilled corn on the cob
  • jicama
  • frozen corn
  • green onions
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • cotija cheese (my favorite!)
  • fresh cilantro
  • fresh lime
  • sour cream
  • homemade pico de gallo

Related recipes

  • Steakhouse Salad
  • Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipes
  • Spinach Garbanzo Bean Salad
  • 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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 16 votes

Southwest Salad Recipe

This days salad takes minutes tot make! It's full of crunch and flavor.
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
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

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

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

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 everything to a large bowl and top with homemade vinaigrette.

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
Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @BowlMeOver or tag #BowlMeOver!

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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!

First published September 12, 2018 - Updated April 27, 2022 to improve readability.

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  • Vegetable Macaroni Salad in bowl.
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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lewis Johnson

    February 21, 2019 at 10:38 am

    I'm making this tonight, it looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      February 21, 2019 at 6:53 pm

      Enjoy Lewis, this is a great salad!

      Reply
  2. Melissa Howell

    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
  3. Coleen Koehl

    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
  4. Julie Evink

    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
  5. Michaela Kenkel

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:52 am

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

      Reply
  6. Malinda

    September 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm

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

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      September 19, 2018 at 6:20 am

      Enjoy Malinda, I love this salad!!

      Reply
  7. Jennifer A Stewart

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:23 am

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

      Reply
  8. Danielle Green

    September 17, 2018 at 9:11 am

    5 stars
    A salad like this is so refreshing!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      September 19, 2018 at 6:26 am

      Most definitely Danielle, love a big salad!

      Reply
  9. michel

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:27 am

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

      Reply
  10. Healing Tomato

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:31 am

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  11. Kathy McDaniel

    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

      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
  12. Sandra

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:37 am

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

      Reply
  13. Madi

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:51 am

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

      Reply
  14. Dan from Platter Talk

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:50 am

      Thank you so much Dan!

      Reply
  15. Liza

    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

      September 19, 2018 at 6:50 am

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

      Reply

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