Best 4 Southwest Layered Salad Recipes

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Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with this tantalizing layered salad. Featuring an array of fresh and flavorful ingredients, this dish is a symphony of textures and tastes. Layers of crisp lettuce, juicy corn, zesty black beans, savory chicken or tofu, and creamy avocado are artfully arranged, creating a visually stunning presentation. Topped with a tangy and flavorful dressing made with lime juice, cilantro, and a hint of cumin, this salad is a fiesta of flavors that will delight your taste buds. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing lunch or a vibrant side dish to accompany your main course, this Southwest layered salad is sure to be a hit. With variations for both chicken and tofu, this recipe caters to a variety of dietary preferences, making it a versatile dish that everyone can enjoy.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWEST LAYERED SALAD



Southwest Layered Salad image

This salad is very pretty when served in a large bowl, and is bursting with lots of fresh flavors. You can spice it up by substituting jalapeno peppers for the chile peppers. The dressing is fabulous for all types of salads.

Provided by Anne Z.

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®)
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup fat-free plain yogurt
½ (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix, or more to taste
8 cups torn romaine lettuce
2 roasted red peppers, diced
1 (14 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14 ounce) can white corn, drained
¼ cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
1 cup diced Roma tomatoes
½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 large avocado - peeled, pitted, and sliced
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Mix dressing mix, buttermilk, yogurt, and taco seasoning mix together in a mixing bowl.
  • Line a large serving bowl with the torn lettuce.
  • Mix roasted peppers, black beans, corn, onion, and green chiles together in a bowl. Spread mixture over the lettuce. Top with tomatoes; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Arrange avocado slices in an overlapping circle. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with dressing on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255.3 calories, Carbohydrate 33.2 g, Cholesterol 10.9 mg, Fat 9.1 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 11.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 1213.2 mg, Sugar 8.3 g

SOUTHWEST LAYERED CHICKEN SALAD



Southwest Layered Chicken Salad image

Looking for an easy salad to serve a crowd? Try this colorful combo that includes corn with a creamy dressing that gets its zip from Old El Paso® taco seasoning.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 35m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 envelope (1 oz) Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
3 tablespoons lime juice
8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 medium jicama, peeled, cut into matchstick pieces (about 1 cup)
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (15.25 oz) corn, drained
2 large red bell peppers, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and chopped (about 3 cups)

Steps:

  • In medium bowl, mix dressing ingredients until well blended.
  • In 4-quart glass serving bowl, layer lettuce, jicama, chicken, corn and bell peppers. Just before serving, top salad with avocados. Serve with dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 4 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 4 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 430 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

SOUTHWEST LAYERED CORNBREAD SALAD



Southwest Layered Cornbread Salad image

With no last-minute assembly needed, this layered salad is ready for a spot on the party buffet. -Rod & Sue Brusius, Omro, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 35m

Yield 12 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (8-1/2 ounces) corn bread/muffin mix
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups ranch salad dressing
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Prepare and bake cornbread according to package directions. Cool completely on a wire rack. Break into crumbles., In a 3-qt. bowl, layer half of each of the following: cornbread, beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, dressing and cheese. Repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Fat 22g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 826mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

SOUTHWEST LAYERED PASTA SALAD



Southwest Layered Pasta Salad image

After the popularity of my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (Thank you, JAP chefs!), I thought I'd develop another salad dish, this time with a Southwestern tang. As always, choose the ingredients your family loves and realize that the amounts are always your choice. I'm just going to list what I do and give you some more options. ...

Provided by Fran Miller

Categories     Chicken Salads

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 17

some pasta; cooked, rinsed in cool water, drained (wagon wheel pasta is a nice touch) 1/2 pound of uncooked pasta makes enough for 4-6 servings
some salad dressing (ranch or chipotle ranch are my favorites)
some shredded or chopped lettuce
some tomato chunks
some sliced black olives
some chopped onion
some chopped peppers (green, jalapeno, etc...)
some cooked corn, drained & cooled
some black beans; cooked, rinsed in cool water, & drained
some shredded or small chunks of cheese (pepper jack, colby jack, cheddar, etc...)
some crumbled fritos
OTHER OPTIONS TO CONSIDER...
some chicken strips or chunks, seasoned with southwestern spices
some salsa
some sour cream
some crumbled bacon or bacon bits
some ranch-flavored croutons, instead of crumbled fritos

Steps:

  • 1. While pasta is cooking, prepare your chopped vegetables. If using canned corn or black beans, just rinse & drain well. Cover & refrigerate until ready to assemble the salad.
  • 2. Mix the drained & cooled pasta with some of the salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate if you are not ready to eat.
  • 3. When it's time for dinner, layer the pasta, then the vegetables, in a large pasta bowl or individual salad plates.
  • 4. Top with crumbled Fritos and shredded cheese.
  • 5. Decisions, decisions... Will you top with more salad dressing or possibly salsa & sour cream?
  • 6. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Layer Carefully: When layering the salad, be sure to press down gently to ensure that each layer is evenly distributed. This will help the salad hold together when you serve it.
  • Chill Before Serving: After assembling the salad, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the salad to set.
  • Garnish Generously: When serving the salad, garnish it with plenty of fresh cilantro, green onions, and tomatoes. This will add a pop of color and flavor to the dish.

Conclusion:

This Southwest Layered Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a healthy and tasty salad recipe, give this one a try!

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