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–+ servings
This southwestern salad is a big hit with guacamole, salsa, peppers, onions, a corn relish and chipotle salad dressing.
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5 from 5 votes

Southwestern Salad Recipe 🥗

This was the bestseller when I was running my catering company. Customers loved the surprising flavors—despite having peppers and chipotle dressing, it's perfectly balanced and not too spicy. Packed with protein from yellow corn, cheddar cheese, avocado, and more, this salad is a true protein powerhouse. Unlike heavier salads, it'll leave you feeling filled up, yet energized and ready to go on with your day.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 506kcal
Author: Scott Groth

Ingredients

Southwestern Salad Ingredients List

Spicy Pickled Onions

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 red onion sliced thin
  • 1 garlic clove cut in half
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sliced thin
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Tomato Medley Salsa

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered
  • 1 clove garlic finely diced
  • ½ red onion finely diced
  • ½ lime juice only
  • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Garden Style Guacamole

  • 5 cherry tomatoes quartered
  • 2 avocados peeled, pits removed, and mashed
  • ½ lime juice only
  • ½ red onion finely diced
  • ½ jalapeno finely diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon shallot minced
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Pickled Onion & Corn Relish

  • 1 cup yellow corn
  • â…“ cup pickled onions diced
  • â…“ cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoons hot peppers finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
  • 1½ teaspoons mayonnaise
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Mexican Slaw

  • 1 carrot shredded
  • 1 head romaine heart sliced thinly
  • ¼ head red cabbage cored & sliced thinly
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper

Sautéed Peppers & Onions

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red pepper sliced
  • 1 onion peeled & sliced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Chipotle Salad Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons chipotle hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • ½ cup canola or vegetable oil

Instructions

Preparation Steps

    Spicy Pickled Onions

    • Peel and slice the red onion and hot pepper thinly.
    • Cut the garlic.
    • Blanch the sliced red onions in a pot of 2 cups of hot boiling water for 1 minute. Remove from heat and strain out the onion.
    • Place the onion in a small bowl. Add the remaining ingredients. Ensure the onion is covered with vinegar. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

    Southwestern Salad Dressing

    • Wash, cut, shred or dice the respective ingredients as listed, then combine them in a bowl.
    • Allow the flavors to develop for at least 30 minutes before serving the salsa and guacamole. Mix well and adjust the seasonings to taste for the relish and slaw.
    • Note: You can make creamy chipotle salad dressing by adding ¼ cup of sour cream and ¼ cup of mayonnaise to the respective ingredients. Whisk them to form a creamy consistency.

    Cooking Instructions

    • Sautéed Peppers & Onions
    • Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add onions and salt. Cook for 2 minutes.
    • Add red peppers. Cook for another 4-5 minutes or until nicely browned. Allow to cool before adding to the salad.

    Notes

    NOTE: The overall net carb count does not include the Substitute and Additional  Ingredients.
    If you love this recipe, please let mi know! Have other ideas on how to make this more low carb? Leave me a comment below!
    Enjoy your day in the kitchen!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1218mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2148IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg
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