Mexican Chopped Salad

You all know how much I love my Big Beautiful Chopped Salads that I eat everyday for lunch. I have now created a new one that is so different and captures all the wonderful flavors of the Mexican and Southwest food that I love. It is still easy – peasy – which is the only way I cook these days. Although I have posted photos and descriptions of what’s in it on Instagram and facebook so many of you asked for a blog post and a video. Being the people pleaser that I am of course I decided to accommodate your wishes!

This salad is going to amaze you – so much flavor, crunch and super satisfying!

Click on the video to watch me make the Mexican Chopped Salad.

Be sure to use your favorite Salsa in this salad because that is going to be the main source of flavor. I have an easy salsa that you can make anytime of year. Tami’s Easy Red Salsa. You could also make a fresh Pico de gallo or use your favorite low sodium store bought salsa. My daughters Salsa Verde recipe is incredible and so delicious you won’t want store bought ever again. Plus when you make your own you control the salt and sugar! Don’t forget the fresh cilantro for another boost of flavor. If you don’t like cilantro try a little fresh Italian Parsley. Remember that this is just one idea for how to make this salad. Substitute your favorite ingredients and customize the salad to your personal preferences. Recipes are just an idea to get you started and then you can modify depending on personal taste and what you have in your fridge. Experimenting with your food is so much fun!

I like to use Oat Groats in my salads and I cook them in the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker so they come out like brown rice. They are so amazing cooked this way. Of course you can use brown rice or quinoa too. Jicama adds a nice crunch and you might also like this Chili Lime Jicama as an appetizer or snack. Black beans or pinto beans work well in this salad.

Try this wonderful Slow Cooker Beans recipe. It is a super popular recipe with my readers and it works with black or pinto beans.

We love to cook our Corn on the Cob in the IP so be sure to watch my You Tube Video on how to do that.

You can also cook it in an Air Fryer so check out my Breville Smart Oven Air blog post and video for all the details.

If you want to see how I Batch Prep Big Beautiful Salads each week check out the blog post and video where you can see how it’s done.

Shown in the photo above is the Live Edge Presentation-Cutting Board from Holland Bowl Mill. It’s perfect for putting little dishes of condiments on and makes for a pretty presentation. If making sushi rolls or fresh spring rolls you can lay out ingredients on it as well. Presentation is so important with our meals – the more appealing it looks the more we like it!

Lime is essential – it adds a bright fresh flavor and moisture to the salad. I like this 9 inch bowl. It holds my citrus fruits most of the time. Limes and lemons at room temperature are easier to juice than cold ones.

The bowl shown in the video and here on the blog is from the Holland Bowl Mill in Holland Michigan. The bowls are made from one piece of hard wood, have a lifetime guarantee and can be engraved on the bottom.

I am an affiliate with the company and when you order from them using my Holland Bowl affiliate link you will recieve a free mezzaluna knife with a minimum $140.00 order. When you place your order use my code NUTMEG to get your free mezzaluna.

When you enter the site click on the Shop tab and you will get a drop down menu, click on the type of wood you would like your bowl to be and then find the 15 inch size bowl. I don’t recommend anything smaller than a 15 inch if you want to chop the same size salads that I make. You need the 15 inch bowl to keep all the salad in the bowl when you are chopping. They offer free engraving on the bottom of the bowl too so be sure to customize your bowl! When you use my affiliate links you help support the work I do here without any extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I keep this bottled organic lime juice on hand for when I run out of limes or sometimes the limes I have aren’t real juicy. I buy it at Whole Foods. It is shelf stable until opened and then needs to be refrigerated.

Mexican Chopped Salad

• 1 pound salad mixture – your choice of greens and raw vegetables with red onion if desired
• handful fresh cilantro
• 1 cup cooked grain, oat groats, brown rice, quinoa
• 1 cup cooked beans, pinto, black, kidney
• 1 cup diced jicama
• 1 cup of corn, fresh or frozen
• 3/4 – 1 cup salsa
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

Optional: fresh fruit like mango or pineapple

Chop the salad greens and the cilantro to desired size. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix it well.