Mexicali Salad with Avocado Dressing

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Mexicali Salad with Avocado Dressing! Combining crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, hearty black beans, and crunchy red bell pepper, this nutrient-packed dish is a symphony of fresh flavors. The real star, however, is the creamy avocado dressing—a zesty blend of ripe avocado, fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and just a hint of jalapeño for optional heat. Ready in just 20 minutes and perfect as a side dish or a light meal, this easy salad is both naturally gluten-free and vegan. Serve it on taco night, bring it to your next barbecue, or pair it with grilled chicken or shrimp for a satisfying dinner. Bursting with Mexican-inspired flair, this salad is as versatile as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup Corn kernels (cooked or canned, drained)
• 1 cup Black beans (canned, rinsed, and drained)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 1 large Avocado
• 0.25 cup Cilantro (fresh, chopped)
• 0.5 small Red onion
• 3 tablespoons Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.5 piece Jalapeño (optional, for heat)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the romaine lettuce. Chop it into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion. Add them to the salad bowl along with the corn kernels and black beans.

Step 3

To prepare the avocado dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado (peeled and pitted), lime juice, olive oil, chopped cilantro, garlic clove, jalapeño (if using), salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon of water at a time if the dressing is too thick, until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 4

Pour the avocado dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl.

Step 5

Toss the salad gently to evenly coat all the vegetables and beans with the dressing.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lime juice as needed.

Step 7

Serve immediately as a side dish or pair with grilled protein for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1252.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1111.2

Total Fat 63.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3358.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 127.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.5g	0%
Total Sugars 24.1g
Protein 31.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 242.8mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 3141.0mg	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: 47.1%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 42.4%