5.0 from 15 votes
Cactus Salad with Grilled Nopales
This cactus salad has fresh vegetables, grilled nopales, and tangy chili lime dressing. Make this recipe for a delicious Mexican side dish.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
28 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 178 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 6 cactus paddles (nopales) trimmed
Salad Dressing
- 2 limes juiced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper divided
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 2 small serrano chiles minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Assembly
- 4 roma tomatoes cut into chunks
- 1 cup red onion thinly sliced (1/2 medium onion)
- 1 avocado pitted and cubed
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
Garnish
- 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Typically cactus paddles are sold with the thorns removed. If not, use a small paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove and discard thorns and any blemishes on cactus. Wash and use paper towels to pat the cactus paddles dry. Rub both sides with vegetable oil and sprinkle 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper over all. Set aside on platter while grill is heated to 400°F.
- In a salad bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, remaining salt and pepper and cumin. Add the minced chiles and garlic. Allow to rest while grilling the cactus.
- Transfer cactus paddles to the hot grill. Cook each side for 4 minutes or until grill marks are visible. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you assemble the remaining salad ingredients.
- Add the tomatoes, red onion, avocado and cilantro to the marinated chile dressing. Toss to coat.
- Slice each cactus in half lengthwise. Stack both pieces and slice into 1/2 inch strips. Repeat with remaining paddles. Add to the salad and toss to mix. Serve immediately or chill for an hour.
- Sprinkle the cotija cheese on top before plating. Serve as a starter salad, with tortilla chips as an appetizer or with grilled grilled meats.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
178kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
15g
(5%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
8mg
(3%)
Sodium
406mg
(17%)
Potassium
492mg
(14%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
764IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
28mg
(31%)
Calcium
81mg
(8%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 178
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 178kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 406mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 492mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 764IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 81mg | 8% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.