Best Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Dressing
User Reviews
5
Best Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Dressing
Description
This Mexican chopped salad is a mix of crisp romaine lettuce, various diced vegetables such as red bell pepper, onion, jicama, cucumber, and tomato, complemented by corn kernels and black beans for heartiness. Fresh avocado adds creaminess, while cilantro and toasted pepitas provide herby and nutty crunch layers.
The honey lime dressing combines freshly squeezed lime juice and zest with honey (or alternatives), cumin, garlic, kosher salt, avocado oil, and cilantro for a vibrant, balanced dressing. The pepitas can be toasted with chili powder or Tajin to integrate a subtle smoky heat. The salad can be tossed outright or arranged for colorful presentation before dressing.
This salad works well as a side or light main course, especially when supplemented with protein like grilled chicken or topped with tortilla strips for additional texture. Variations allow adding other Mexican peppers or beans to customize nutrient composition and taste.
From the notes, keep the salad undressed refrigerated for 2-3 days, keeping avocado and toppings separate until serving. Meal prepping with dressing on the side preserves freshness. Adjustments like substituting honey for monk fruit sweetener and omitting corn and beans can create a keto-friendly version.
Ingredients
Honey Lime Dressing
- 1 lime zested, use juice below
- ¼ cup lime juice 2-4 limes, fresh
- 1-2 tablespoons honey agave, maple syrup or monk fruit (low carb)
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup avocado oil or your favorite oil, if using olive oil, remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving.
- ¼ cup cilantro minced
- black pepper freshly ground
Mexican Chopped Salad
- 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped, or 3 small romaine hearts
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced, any color
- ½ medium red onion diced small, medium
- ½ medium jicama peeled and diced
- 1 large avocado diced (tossed in a little lemon juice if not serving for a bit)
- 1 medium English cucumber diced
- 1 cup tomato diced, or halve grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1-2 corn shucked and corn cut off or substitute 1 ½ cups of sweet, white corn (frozen, ears
- 1 15- ounce black beans drained and rinsed
- ¼- ½ cup cilantro finely chopped
- 2-4 tablespoons Pepitas or pumpkin seeds, if desired toasted in with a little Tajin or chile powder
- 2-4 ounces cotija cheese crumbled
Instructions
- For the dressing, in a jar, combine all dressing ingredients, cover and shake to combine, or if preferred, whir for a second in a blender. *Note, if using olive oil for the dressing, remember to remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before using; the olive oil will harden in the fridge.
- If toasting pumpkin seeds (pepitas) heat a small skillet over medium heat, add pumpkin seeds and shake a little chile powder or Tajin on top, shake pan until they are warm and popping, cool before placing on salad.
- Place all ingredients for the salad in a large salad bowl, tossing to combine. Or, for presentation, place chopped romaine in a salad bowl, then add sections of each veggie, creating a colorful wheel. Add chopped avocados, and sliced radishes if desired and toss with cilantro and pepitas, and with honey lime dressing. Toss to coat.
Notes
- Undressed salad keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days; keep avocado, cheese, pepitas, and tortilla strips separate until serving.
- For meal prep, store salad ingredients with dressing in separate containers to maintain texture and freshness.
- Keto version: replace honey with low-carb sweetener and omit corn and black beans.
- Add protein like grilled or shredded chicken seasoned with chili powder, garlic, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper for a heartier dish.
- Optional add-ins include radishes, roasted peppers, or other Mexican peppers such as poblano or Shishito for extra flavor and crunch.
- Toasting pepitas with Tajin or chili powder enhances their flavor and adds subtle spice.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6-8 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 357kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 315mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 821mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 14g | 56% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1523IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 53mg | 59% |
| Calcium | 103mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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