This Southwest Salad recipe is full of color and filled with your favorite Southwest flavors to make a crisp and fresh summer salad!
I love this salad because it is so colorful and full of many flavors! If you’re looking for more salads like this then you have to check out my Orzo Arugula Salad, Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, and Apple Harvest Salad!
A flavor packed salad
Growing up, I was never a fan of salads. A lot of the time the salads we had were just lettuce and tomatoes mixed together with dressing and that was it. Anyone else have boring salads like that before? Don’t get me wrong, they’re great as a side or right before dinner but as a meal, there just wasn’t enough to keep me full. Well, this Southwestern salad is the complete opposite. It is filled with so many colors and flavors you can eat it as a meal and be full until the next meal.
How to Make Southwest Salad
Assemble your ingredients. For exact amounts see the recipe card below.
In a large bowl add in the lettuce and all the salad ingredients on top of the lettuce.
Drizzle your preferred dressing on top and toss together.
Finally, serve and enjoy!
What Dressing Should I Use?
One great thing about this Southwest Salad recipe is that it pairs well with most dressings.
My favorite dressing to serve with this salad is my Avocado Dressing. It is thick and creamy and makes the perfect topping for this flavor filled dish.
Another great option for dressing is my Healthy Green Goddess Dressing which is packed with nutrients and flavors to make a great option for this salad.
Recipe Variations
Adding a Protein
One thing I would recommend adding to this dish is a protein. Whether its a grilled chicken breast, shrimp, or even tofu, all would be a great addition to this salad!
Spice it up
You can never go wrong adding a little spice to your salad, especially with it being a Southwestern Salad. If you want more of a kick to this dish I would recommending spicing up some jalapenos and adding them in, or even adding some hot sauce and tossing together!
Other recommended additions
Cheese
Because cheese ALWAYS makes a salad taste better.
Something Crunchy
Although this recipe uses crisp lettuce it really could use another crunchy element. I would recommend adding in some croutons, nuts, or even tortilla strips for that extra crunch.
StorING THIS SOUTHWEST SALAD
You can STORE this recipe in an airtight container in your fridge for 3-5 days. Be sure when storing it you do so without dressings on it otherwise your fresh crisp salad will become soggy.
Other Delicious Salad Recipes:
- Chicken Apple Walnut Salad
- Berry Pecan Quinoa Salad with Homemade Berry Vinaigrette
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad
- Chicken Gyro Salad
Southwest Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head of lettuce chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper diced
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup scallion chopped
- 1 avocado diced
- 3/4 cup tomato diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl add in the lettuce and all the salad ingredients.
- Drizzle your preferred dressing on top and toss together.
- Finally, serve and enjoy!