Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
A tex-mex style salad with an incredibly creamy Greek yogurt cilantro dressing that will knock your socks off!
I’m happy to report that after 11 days into 2014, I am still well into my salad phase – BBQ chicken salad, Asian cobb salad, kale salad, you name it. But with a bunch of cilantro left over in the fridge, I just had to make a cilantro-type dressing. And boy am I glad I did because this is one of the creamiest, most flavorful dressings I have ever made.
Not to mention, the dressing comes together so quickly and easily with the help of a food processor. Simply drop everything into your handy dandy food processor – I love using my Magimix for this – pulse, and that’s it!
You can definitely adjust the amount of olive oil for a a thinner dressing. I didn’t want mine too thick so that’s what the recipe here reflects. Either way, this goes so perfectly in this tex-mex style salad loaded with corn, beans, tomatoes, avocado and tortilla strips. It’s quickly become a favorite of ours, and we’ve had it almost every day this week!
Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
For the cilantro lime dressing
- 1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
For the salad
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup canned corn kernels, drained
- ½ cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
- ¼ cup tortilla strips, for garnish
Instructions
for the cilantro lime dressing
- Combine cilantro, Greek yogurt, garlic and lime juice in the bowl of a food processor. With the motor running, add olive oil and vinegar in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
for the salad
- To assemble the salad, place romaine lettuce in a large bowl; top with tomatoes, corn, black beans and cilantro. Pour the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Stir in avocado.
- Serve immediately, garnished with tortillas strips, if desired.
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I made the salad dressing for a Southwest Steak salad and it was a BIG HIT! Even my mom, who is not fond of cilantro enjoyed it. It is fresh and tasty and super easy to make.
Tried out the dressing tonight and its absolutely delicious!!!! Look forward to trying out your other recipes!!
This was phenomenal! Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.
Made your salad for the 4th…nummy!! I had a few leftovers the next day and I added some tuna flakes to it…was very good!! Going to add some chicken next time…Can’t wait to make again!
I made this for a family dinner and got so many compliments on it! It was absolutely delicious and packed full of fresh ingredients. Will definitely be making this again. I did have one question though – the dressing packs a surprising punch. It tasted…spicy? That’s not quite the right word but if you understand what I’m referring to, do you have any thoughts on how to cut back the punch? I’m a little concerned about using this dressing for a crowd that doesn’t like spice at all. Thanks!
Amy, there really isn’t any ingredient that packs in a kick of heat, but feel free to add a tiny bit of sugar (start with 1/2 teaspoon) to balance out the flavors to taste. Hope that helps!
Made this for dinner tonight, and it was so easy and delicious! I will definitely be making this again!
I made this last night – it was AMAZING! I have to admit, when I tried the dressing by itself after I first made it, I didn’t like the taste. Neither did my husband. It was just weird or had a weird aftertaste or something. But on the salad, it must have had just the right combination of ingredients, because it was fabulous! We added shredded cheese, grilled chicken, and diced green onion, because we love those on our salads. This recipe is fantastic, and I will definitely have it in the regular rotation with the dressing.
Holy cow, thanks so much for posting this! It is gonna be so helpful when I get Avocado Oil at the grocery store! Super Fabulous!
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Im going to try out this dressing tonight! I dont have any apple cider vinegar though, is there white vinegar in a smaller amount an okay substitution? Other wise ill go hunt me down a small bottle of apple cider vinegar.
Thanks!
-V
I highly recommend using apple cider vinegar.
I was craving a chopped salad and found this recipe. It was amazing and so easy! I added shredded chicken seasoned with taco seasonings, purple onions and mozzarella cheese as a topping. I now think I’d like to marry this salad! So dang good and I’ll make it again.
I picked up my CSA produce basket yesterday and was looking for something different to make with the salad greens, heirloom tomatoes and avocado, and am so glad I found this Cilantro Lime dressing. I had all the ingredients on hand and just made your recipe. So-o good! And not just for the Southwest Salad, but for Fish Tacos. Thanks!
LOVED the dressing! I also added some avocado to the salad. My husband loved it so much, he actually requested it for his lunch the next day. Its a great salad to kick off the summer with. Thank you so much for sharing!
Loved the dressing! I added an avocado to mine because I’m an avocado addict (seriously, I have a problem). It turned out SUPER delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
How much avocado did you add? That sounds amazing!! I’m an addict too. I have a cookbook called “guac off”, like a chili cook off, but guac instead. Lol
Hi hi! Thanks for sharing the recipe! I just made it for dinner tonight. It was a bit too much garlic for me, but omitting the garlic I would definitely make it again! I also added some extra sharp white cheddar and it was great.
So very good! The dressing the BEST I’ve tasted in awhile, creamy, bursting with flavor and healthy. I used roasted corn instead of canned, 0 fat Greek Yogurt and 1/8 cup olive oil instead of 1/4 cup and it still was the perfect consistency for me. Fabulous! Thank you for sharing.
I found this recipe because I was looking to add to a Kroger brand Fresh Selection Chopped Southwest Salad kit. It contains cabbage, romaine lettuce, pumpkin seeds, green onions and tortilla strips, cilantro WITH a creamy cilantro dressing. It is delicious but not enough dressing was included. I offer this information because cabbage is a nice change and is much like a cole slaw that you could pass at a pot luck.
Chung-ah, I love your blog. I’m diabetic, asian and just started doing low carb (read “I stopped eating rice”). I thought that would be tougher than it has been. I’ve pinned so many of your recipes but haven’t tried any till today because one of my arms is in a cast. So I talked my husband through making your cilantro lime dressing. Didn’t have any apple cider vinegar, only red wine. It is still so tasty! And hubby loves it too! I think the apple cider would give it a bit of sweetness. Anyway, I’m so happy I find your blog! Can’t wait to see what you post next!
I made this today and was really excited to make it but I think that 2 tablespoons of vinegar is a bit much. It is a bit strong with the vinegar and lime, depending on how much lime juice your lime gives. I added a half of an avocado to mine just to thin it out. Thanks for the recipe.
Holy cow this looks amazing!
I’m going to layer this in mason jars and take it to work!
I just stumbled on your site, and I think I’m in love!
Your pictures are gorgeous and your recipes are easy but look tasty.
Keep up the good work!