Description
This Layered Mexican Salad is packed with crisp romaine, fresh veggies, hearty black beans, and crunchy tortilla strips, all topped with a zesty crema dressing. It’s the perfect taco salad recipe for a fresh and flavorful meal! Great for potlucks, meal prep, or a quick and easy dinner.
Ingredients
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🔹 Dressing:
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½ cup Crema Mexicana (or substitute sour cream)
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1 tbsp lime juice
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1 tbsp hot sauce (Cholula recommended) or 1 tsp taco seasoning
🔹 Salad:
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1 cup corn (about 2 cobs grilled, or canned, drained)
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1 head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped (about 4 cups)
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1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
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2 cups grated cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
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2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
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1 orange bell pepper, diced
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1 yellow bell pepper, diced
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1 large avocado, diced
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3.5 oz package Santa Fe-style tortilla strips
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Instructions
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Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together Crema Mexicana, lime juice, and hot sauce/taco seasoning. Set aside. -
Grill the Corn (Optional):
For added flavor, rub 2 ears of corn with olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill for about 20 minutes. Trim kernels from the cobs and set aside. (Alternatively, use canned, drained corn.) -
Prep the Vegetables:
Wash and chop romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Dice avocado and toss with a bit of lime juice to prevent browning. -
Assemble the Salad:
Use a trifle bowl or clear glass bowl for a beautiful layered presentation.-
First layer: Add ½ of the chopped romaine.
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Second layer: Evenly spread black beans over the lettuce.
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Third layer: Add a layer of grated cheese, followed by tomatoes.
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Fourth layer: Add the remaining lettuce.
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Fifth layer: Combine diced bell peppers and corn and spread over the top. Reserve a little for garnish.
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Sixth layer: Drizzle with the prepared dressing.
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Garnish & Serve:
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Arrange avocado chunks around the top perimeter.
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Fill the center with tortilla strips.
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Sprinkle reserved tomatoes, peppers, and corn over the top for a colorful finish.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
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You can grill the corn for extra flavor, or use canned corn to save time.
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This salad is versatile; feel free to customize with your favorite ingredients like jalapeños, olives, or cilantro.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6th of salad)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg