Mexican Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Mexican Salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, sweet cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, black beans, and creamy avocado, all tossed in a zesty lime cilantro dressing with a hint of jalapeño. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish, this salad is easy to prepare and customizable for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2 to 3 large limes
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
- 1–1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped jalapeño (optional)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Salad Ingredients
- 5 heaping cups romaine lettuce (cut to bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 3/4 cup corn
- 3/4 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup mini sweet bell peppers (thinly sliced)
- 1 large ripe avocado (diced)
Instructions
- Make Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a small blender or food processor. Add 1/2 teaspoon lime zest and 2 tablespoons lime juice from the limes. Pulse until smooth. Transfer the dressing to a mason jar and place it in the fridge until ready to use.
- Prepare Lettuce: Chop the romaine lettuce into small, bite-sized pieces. Wash the lettuce thoroughly and dry it completely using a salad spinner or clean towels, as wet lettuce will prevent the dressing from adhering properly.
- Assemble Salad: For immediate serving, top the prepared lettuce with cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, bell peppers, and diced avocado. Drizzle the dressing over the salad according to your preference, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve fresh.
- For Meal Prep: Store the salad components separately to avoid sogginess and browning. Add the dressing and optional items like jalapeño only when ready to serve to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Using fresh lime zest and juice in the dressing adds a bright, tangy flavor.
- Dry lettuce thoroughly to help the dressing stick better and keep the salad crisp.
- Store ingredients separately for meal prep to prevent sogginess and browning, especially the avocado.
- Jalapeño is optional for a mild spiciness, adjust to your taste or omit.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be assembled just before eating.
Keywords: Mexican salad, lime dressing, avocado salad, fresh salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad, black beans, corn, cilantro dressing
