Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

This refreshing Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette is a marvelous summer entree with fresh corn, jicama, avocados, tomatoes and more! Add some chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal!

Mexican Chopped Salad

This is a delightful salad for the sultry days of summer. Full of fresh, colorful vegetables, black beans and Mexican cheese, it’s dressed in a cilantro, lime vinaigrette with a slight kick! This is one of my go-to dishes to take to friends who need a meal, especially when the weather has been hot and miserably humid. A few years back, I made a double batch to share with my dear friends across while their kitchen was out of commission. They tend to watch their carbs so they loved it. Today, I’m running this to some new parents who could use a break from meal prep. A quick text was needed to see if they were lovers or haters of cilantro and whether to tone down the spice in the salad dressing and I was set.

Easily Adapted for Carnivores

Chicken or grilled shrimp would be wonderful additions especially if there needs to be substantial protein involved to be considered dinner (I speak from experience!). I dusted some chicken with salt, pepper and some fajita seasoning before cooking, shredding and adding to the mix for the young family. Stay tuned for the easy chocolate cookie bars I made for their dessert (on the blog in August). Even the hubby with his dessert repertoire of one dish (chocolate chip cookie bars) might be able to whip those up! For a fall or winter alternative, this Crockpot Fiesta Mexican Chicken & Rice would also be a hit!

Progressive Eats

Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. Our menu this month features all dishes that include our favorite herbs! We’ve got a great mix from a cocktail to desserts; all recipes showing just how versatile these garden favorites can be! Hosting this month is Laura from Mother Would Know.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out.

Summer Herbs Every Which Way

Cocktail

• Lemon Rosemary Shrub Cocktail from Mother Would Know

Appetizer

• Rosemary Potato Chips with Herb Aioli from The Red Head Baker

Main Course

• Mayo-Free Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Lemon and Herbs from Healthy Delicious
• Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce (Gluten-Free) from The Heritage Cook

Side Dishes

• Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Mexican Green Goddess Pasta Salad from Pastry Chef Online

Dessert

• Rosemary Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Creative Culinary

Used in This Recipe:

• Wusthof Classic 6-inch Wave Knife (Perfect for cutting tomatoes!)
• OXO Non-Slip Cutting Board
• Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set (I like to mix my salad dressings right in a liquid measuring cup. From there, it’s easy to pour into a container or right onto the salad).

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Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

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A marvelous summer salad adapted from Self Magazine

• Author: Liz Berg
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad, Side Dish
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Salad::

• 2 1/2 cups shredded (or chopped) romaine lettuce
• 1 can black beans (12.5 ounces), drained and rinsed
• 1 cup diced tomatoes, or grape tomatoes, halved
• 3/4 cup chopped, peeled jicama
• 3/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed (or fresh sweet corn taken off the cob)
• Whole ripe avocado, diced
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4–1/2 cup queso fresco, crumbled

Dressing::

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon minced jalapeno
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Mix all salad ingredients together in large bowl. In glass jar or measuring cup, mix together dressing ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour dressing over salad, mix and serve.