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Southwest Salad: A Flavor-Packed Twist for Easy Weeknight Eats

Southwest Salad with fresh ingredients and creamy dressing
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There’s something about a Southwest salad that just hits the spot—bold flavors, crisp textures, and a zesty kick that makes every bite exciting. This hearty yet fresh salad features romaine, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and black beans, tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for lunch, cookouts, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Salad:
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup canned corn, drained
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup beef sausage, cooked and sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • For the Dressing:
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Start by chopping your romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and adding it to a large salad bowl. Slice the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, and thinly slice the red onion. Drain and rinse the black beans and corn to remove any excess sodium and add them to the bowl as well. Next, cook your beef sausage in a pan over medium heat until browned and slightly crispy. Once cooked, let it cool slightly before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to create a creamy and flavorful dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

3. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro to the bowl with the other ingredients. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Be careful not to mash the avocado while mixing.

4. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor, or let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. If you’re meal prepping, store the dressing separately and add it just before eating to keep everything crisp.

Notes

If you’re meal prepping, store the dressing separately and add just before serving.

This salad can be served cold or at room temperature.

Feel free to swap beef sausage with grilled chicken, turkey, or tofu for variation.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/southwest-salad-recipe/