Southwestern Chopped Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing
When it’s too hot outside to even think about cooking, this Southwestern Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing is just what you need. It’s incredibly easy to throw together, it’s packed with herby flavors, it’s tossed with the most delectable bean/corn salsa and it’s honestly downright refreshing. Serve it on its own, or add a side of my favorite Mexican rice. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
Now, what exactly is a chopped salad, you ask? Simple: it’s a salad where all the ingredients are mixed together instead of being layered. I honestly make most of my salads like this, so the distinction is a bit silly. The perk of mixing your ingredients together, of course, is that you get a little bit of everything in every single bite. And when that little bit of everything is covered in a delicious Avocado Cilantro Dressing — sign me up.
INGREDIENTS - SALAD
Romaine lettuce, chopped
1 - 15 oz. can of dark red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1 - 15 oz. can of fiesta corn, drained & rinsed
1/4 red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 serrano pepper, minced
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped (or more, just depending on how much you love cilantro)
Juice of one lime
Salt & pepper, to taste
Sharp cheddar cheese, to garnish (optional)
INGREDIENTS - DRESSING
1 c. fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1 avocado
Juice of 1/2 a lime
2 t. garlic powder
1/4 c. olive oil
2 t. white wine vinegar
2 t. agave nectar
1 t. cumin
Salt & pepper, to taste
STEPS
1) Combine the kidney beans, fiesta corn, 1/4 red onion, garlic cloves, serrano, 1/4 c. cilantro and juice of one lime in a large bowl. Season well with pepper and a pinch of salt, then toss to combine. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
2) Add all dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed. If it’s too thick, you might need to add a bit of water.
3) Add the chopped romaine to the bowl with the bean salsa, then drizzle with the dressing. Toss well until everything is mixed together. Use tongs to serve the salad and top with shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.