Easy Southwest Salad Recipe

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10 minutes is all it takes to throw together this quick and Easy Southwest Salad Recipe loaded with fresh Mexican flavors, all your favorite veggies, and a simple creamy homemade dressing!

You’ll Love This

• It’s so quick and easy! No fancy kitchen gadgets and barely any prep work are required for this Easy Southwest Salad Recipe. If you’re into simple meal prep and effortless lunches, then this recipe is for you!
• The flavor combo is classic, but the dressing really makes this salad unique. If you’ve ever had the Southwest salad from that fast food joint with the golden arches…you’re going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this salad. The dressing is a copycat version of that Newman’s Own dressing that McDonald’s serves but with a little Midwest Foodie flair.
• It’s a really hearty vegetarian meal that will fill you up and fuel you through your day! While this meal may require little prep and be super easy to throw together, it’s also loaded with veggies. Which means it will leave you feeling satisfied and energized!

Instructions

Add greens, sliced Cilantro Lime Chicken (optional), black beans, red onion, and avocado to a large platter.

Add corn and tomatoes.

Add sour cream, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, honey, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to a large measuring cup.

Whisk until completely combined.

Then add homemade tortilla strips, Cotija cheese, and a hearty drizzle of that creamy homemade dressing.

Tips

• Use fresh sweet corn if it’s in season. During the summer months I like to make this Southwest salad with corn that’s freshly cut from the cob. I don’t cook at all, I just add it as – and it’s DELICIOUS. If you prefer, you could saute the fresh corn in a bit of olive oil (with salt and pepper of course) over medium heat for a couple minutes.
• Don’t forget the crunch! My favorite way to add a little texture to any salad is with something crunchy. In this case, I love using my homemade crispy tortilla strips. They are SUPER easy to make – you’ll just need oil, corn tortillas, and salt – and they are SO flavorful!! Do yourself a favor, and make a big batch to enjoy with your salads all week!
• Grab your greens from the farmer’s market if you can. Obviously living in Wisconsin our farmer’s market with fresh veggies is a “summer only” kinda deal. So as soon as June hits you can bet I’m down at the farmer’s market getting salad greens until the harvest is over in late August. Fresh greens are going to make this salad taste even better!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this Southwest salad recipe vegan? Yes! Just a few quick substitutions (and skip the Cilantro Lime Chicken!) and your plant-based friends can enjoy this salad too!
  • Sub vegan sour cream (or yogurt) for regular.
  • Use agave instead of honey.
  • Replace the Cotija with a crumbly vegan cheese or omit it altogether.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes! Here’s some tips if you’re planning to enjoy this salad throughout the week:
  • Assemble salads with just lettuce, black beans, corn, tomatoes and onions. Refrigerate in air tight containers.
  • Just before serving slice avocado, add tortilla strips and drizzle with dressing.

• How do I get my family to eat food like this? Let them assemble it themselves!
  • Set out the ingredients and let your family create their own Southwest salad based on their tastes.
  • If they’re old enough, ask your kids to help with slicing the tomatoes or avocado.
  • Use ingredients that you know they’ll eat – if they love red pepper then add that. If they like shredded cheese, use that instead of the crumbly Cotija.
  • The more involved you can get your family in the meal making process, the more likely they are to actually eat it!

Family Favorite Dinners

• Restaurant Style Blender Salsa
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
• Creamy Mexican Street Corn Soup
• Easy Mexican Mac and Cheese
• Baked Fish Tacos

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This recipe was originally published in May 2018. It was updated in August 2020 to include process shots, step-by-step instructions, and tips for making the best Southwest salad every single time!