Dinner

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

ByRita Bennet October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

Introduction

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant and flavorful salad that combines crunchy coleslaw mix with zesty chipotle dressing and the satisfying crunch of Chili Cheese Fritos. This quick and easy dish is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or as a bold side to your favorite meals.

Ingredients

1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
3 green onions, finely sliced

¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping
½ cup (115 g) sour cream
½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise

¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo (just the sauce, not the peppers)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss together until evenly mixed.

Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until smooth to create the chipotle dressing.
Step 3: Pour the chipotle dressing over the salad mixture and stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Step 4: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad and toss carefully to combine.

Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved Fritos on top for an extra crunchy finish.
Step 6: Serve immediately and enjoy the bold, crunchy flavors.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add a few chopped chipotle peppers along with the sauce.

Try swapping the Chili Cheese Fritos for plain corn chips or tortilla strips for a different texture.
Add diced avocado or cherry tomatoes for a fresh twist.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the Fritos crunchy, add them just before serving rather than mixing them in when storing. If the salad becomes soggy, giving it a quick stir and adding fresh Fritos can help revive the texture.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white bowl filled with a colorful layered salad consisting of bright orange corn chips broken into pieces, black beans, yellow corn kernels, shredded pale green cabbage and purple cabbage, small chopped red tomatoes, and green herbs, all mixed with a creamy dressing that lightly coats the ingredients, giving a textured look with a mix of crunchy and soft elements; in the background, a half lime and a small white bowl with a creamy dip sit on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad in advance?

You can prepare the salad mixture and dressing separately ahead of time, but combine them and add the Fritos just before serving to maintain the best texture.