Mexican Restaurant Salad

Bring the vibrant flavors of your favorite Mexican restaurant into your home with this irresistible Mexican Restaurant Salad! Crisp romaine lettuce forms the perfect base for a medley of fresh cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and zesty red onions, all elevated by the bold flavor of chopped cilantro. Creamy avocado pairs beautifully with hearty black beans and salty Cotija cheese, while crispy tortilla strips add a satisfying crunch. A tangy homemade dressing, featuring fresh lime juice, olive oil, honey, and a hint of smoky cumin and chili powder, ties it all together for a refreshing, savory dish bursting with authentic Mexican flair. Ready in just 15 minutes and packed with vibrant textures, this easy salad is perfect as a light main course or crowd-pleasing side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 0.25 medium Red onion
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro
• 1 large Avocado
• 0.75 cup Cooked black beans
• 0.5 cup Cotija cheese
• 1 cup Tortilla strips
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash, dry, and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the salad bowl.

Step 3

Peel and slice the cucumber into thin rounds and add to the bowl.

Step 4

Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad.

Step 5

Chop the fresh cilantro leaves and set them aside. Add most of the cilantro to the salad, reserving a small amount for garnish.

Step 6

Slice the avocado into thin slices or cubes and set aside to add later.

Step 7

Rinse and drain the black beans, then scatter them over the salad.

Step 8

Crumble the Cotija cheese and sprinkle it over the salad.

Step 9

Top the salad with crispy tortilla strips for added crunch.

Step 10

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.

Step 11

Just before serving, toss the salad with the dressing. Add the avocado slices or cubes, and gently toss again to combine.

Step 12

Garnish with the reserved cilantro and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1584.7 grams (1584.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1847

Total Fat 128.80g	165%
Saturated Fat 40.50g	203%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.20g
Cholesterol 114mg	38%
Sodium 2810mg	122%
Total Carbohydrate 131.40g	48%
Dietary Fiber 38.60g	138%
Total Sugars 21.40g
Protein 62.90g	126%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1308mg	101%
Iron 13mg	69%
Potassium 3489mg	74%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.9%

Protein: 13.0%

Carbs: 27.1%