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Bowl of vibrant Mexican Chopped Salad with fresh ingredients and dressing

Mexican Chopped Salad

A vibrant and refreshing dish bursting with flavors and textures, perfect as a standalone meal or side.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • ¼ cup Fresh lime juice Freshly squeezed for best flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Honey Can be substituted with agave syrup
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin Adds warmth to the dressing
  • 1 clove Garlic Minced for better flavor absorption
  • ½ teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Canola oil Can substitute with avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil For richer flavor
  • To taste Freshly ground black pepper Enhances the overall flavor profile
Tortilla Strips
  • 6 (6-inch) Corn tortillas For tortilla strips
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Sea salt To season tortilla strips
Salad Ingredients
  • 1 medium head Romaine lettuce Provides a crisp base
  • 1 medium Bell pepper Any color works; choose your favorite
  • ½ medium Red onion Finely chopped for a milder taste
  • ½ medium Jicama Adds a unique crunch
  • 1 medium Zucchini Chopped into small pieces
  • 4 medium Tomatoes Ripe tomatoes add sweetness
  • 4 ears Corn Fresh corn is ideal for sweetness
  • 1 ½ cups Black beans (canned) Rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup Cilantro For garnish and flavor

Method
 

Prepare the Dressing
  1. Combine fresh lime juice, honey, cumin, minced garlic, and salt in a bowl.
Whisk in the Oils
  1. In a slow, steady stream, add both the canola and extra virgin olive oils while stirring continuously with a fork or small whisk.
Adjust Seasoning
  1. Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper if needed. Set aside.
Make the Tortilla Strips
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Stack the corn tortillas on a cutting board, cut in half, then cut each stack of halves into thin strips approximately ¼-inch thick.
  3. Transfer the tortilla strips to a sheet pan, drizzle with canola oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and toss to coat.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until light golden brown and crisp. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Corn
  1. Place the corn in the microwave and cook for 3 ½ minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes before handling.
  2. Remove the bottom end of the corn, pull back husks and silks, then cut the kernels from the husks and set aside.
Combine the Salad Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, mix the corn kernels with the remaining salad ingredients: chopped romaine lettuce, bell pepper, red onion, jicama, zucchini, diced tomatoes, and black beans.
Add Dressing
  1. Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients and stir to coat everything evenly.
Garnish and Serve
  1. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired, and serve with the crispy tortilla strips on top or in a bowl on the side.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. To save time, prepare the dressing and tortilla strips in advance. Adjust the seasoning to your preference. Cut the vegetables into small, uniform pieces for better presentation.