California Cactus Salad

Brighten up your table with a vibrant and refreshing California Cactus Salad, a delicious fusion of fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients. This unique recipe highlights tender, cooked nopales (cactus paddles), paired with creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zesty lime for a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Tossed with crisp red onion, fragrant cilantro, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, this salad is as nutritious as it is flavorful. A hint of jalapeño adds optional heat, making it a versatile dish perfect for summer barbecues, Taco Tuesday, or as a light, healthy meal. Quick to make and naturally gluten-free, this colorful salad is your go-to for a taste of California sunshine!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium paddles nopales (cactus paddles)
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 large avocado
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 small jalapeño (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the nopales by trimming off the edges and spines using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Rinse the prepared paddles thoroughly under cold water.

Step 2

Cut the nopales into thin strips or small bite-sized chunks. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the nopales. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until tender and bright green. Drain and rinse the cooked cactus under cold water to remove any sliminess, then set aside to cool.

Step 3

Thinly slice the red onion and halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice the avocado into small cubes. Finely chop the fresh cilantro and, if using, mince the jalapeño.

Step 4

In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked nopales, sliced onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using).

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to crush the avocado.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice, if desired.

Step 8

Serve immediately as a fresh and vibrant side dish or light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1015.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	830.9

Total Fat 71.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2440.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 52.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.0g	0%
Total Sugars 16.0g
Protein 12.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 741.7mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 2769.6mg	0%

*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: 71.1%

Protein: 5.7%

Carbs: 23.2%