Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Flavorful Combination: The smoky heat of the chipotle ranch dressing complements the fresh, crisp vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
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Texture Variety: Enjoy the satisfying crunch from fresh veggies and tortilla strips paired with the creaminess of the dressing.
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Customizable: Easily adapt the salad by adding your favorite proteins or extra veggies to suit your preferences.
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Quick and Easy: With simple preparation steps, this salad comes together swiftly, making it ideal for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekends.
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Black beans
- Bell pepper
- Red onion
- Fresh corn
- Tortilla strips
- Chipotle ranch salad dressing
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the romaine lettuce, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Cut the kernels off the fresh corn cob.
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Prepare the Black Beans: Drain and rinse the black beans thoroughly.
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Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, layer the chopped romaine lettuce. Top with the prepared red onion, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, black beans, and tortilla strips. Add avocado slices if desired.
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Add the Dressing: Drizzle the homemade chipotle ranch dressing over the salad to taste.
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Serve: Toss the salad gently to combine all ingredients and serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: This recipe yields approximately 5 servings.
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Preparation Time: Around 20 minutes.
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Total Time: Approximately 20 minutes.
Variations
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Protein Addition: Enhance the salad by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.
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Vegetable Variations: Incorporate additional vegetables such as diced cucumbers, shredded carrots, or sliced radishes for more crunch and flavor.
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Spice Level Adjustment: Modify the heat of the chipotle ranch dressing by adjusting the number of chipotle peppers used. Start with fewer peppers for a milder taste and add more to increase the spiciness.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: If you have leftovers, store the salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
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Dressing Storage: Keep the chipotle ranch dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
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Reheating: This salad is best enjoyed fresh and cold. If you've added warm protein like grilled chicken, you can reheat the protein separately and add it to the cold salad when serving.
FAQs
What is a Southwest Salad?
A Southwest Salad typically includes fresh greens, a variety of vegetables like corn, black beans, and bell peppers, and is often topped with a creamy, spicy dressing such as chipotle ranch.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the individual components in advance. Store the chopped vegetables and dressing separately in the refrigerator, and combine them just before serving to maintain the salad's crispness.
How can I make the dressing less spicy?
To reduce the spiciness of the chipotle ranch dressing, start by using fewer chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. You can always add more to adjust the heat to your preference.
Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Southwest Salad is vegetarian-friendly. To make it vegan, substitute the chipotle ranch dressing with a plant-based version.
What other dressings can I use?
While chipotle ranch dressing complements the flavors well, you can also try a cilantro lime vinaigrette or a classic ranch dressing as alternatives.
Can I use canned corn instead of fresh?
Yes, canned corn can be used if fresh corn is not available. Be sure to drain and rinse it before adding to the salad.
How do I keep the tortilla strips crunchy?
To maintain the crunchiness of the tortilla strips, add them to the salad just before serving. If storing leftovers, keep the tortilla strips separate and mix them in when ready to eat.
What proteins pair well with this salad?
Grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or tofu are excellent protein additions that complement the flavors of the Southwest Salad.
How long will the salad stay fresh?
When stored properly with components separated, the salad ingredients can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dressing can last up to a week when refrigerated.
Can I add cheese to this salad?
Absolutely! Adding shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or crumbled queso fresco can enhance the flavor and richness of the salad.
Conclusion
This Southwest Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that is both satisfying and versatile. Whether enjoyed as a main course or a side dish, its fresh ingredients and zesty dressing are sure to make it a favorite in your recipe collection.
Southwest Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Experience a bold and refreshing Southwest Salad packed with crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, black beans, bell peppers, and crunchy tortilla strips, all drizzled with a creamy chipotle ranch dressing. This easy and customizable salad delivers the perfect balance of textures and smoky, zesty flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels (or canned, drained)
- 1 cup tortilla strips
- ½ avocado, sliced (optional)
- ½ cup chipotle ranch dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables – Chop the romaine lettuce, dice the bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Cut fresh corn kernels off the cob.
- Prepare the Black Beans – Drain and rinse the black beans.
- Assemble the Salad – In a large bowl, layer romaine lettuce, red onion, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, black beans, and tortilla strips. Add avocado slices if desired.
- Add the Dressing – Drizzle chipotle ranch dressing over the salad.
- Serve – Gently toss everything to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make it a Meal – Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.
- Crunchy Toppings – Keep tortilla strips separate until serving to maintain their crispness.
- Spice Control – Adjust the heat of the chipotle ranch dressing by using fewer chipotle peppers.
- Prep Time: 20minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Mexican
