How to Make A Southwestern Salad With Healthy Toppings & Dressing

When summer approaches, I crave refreshing salads. Chopped southwest salad, for instance, is one of my favorite salad recipes. Of course, my chopped southwest salad is vegan, full of vibrant vegetables and the southwest's tastes. To 'veganize' a typical southwest salad recipe and make it oil-free, I used the freshest ingredients and provided two options for delicious southwest dressing recipes. 

So, let's make a fabulous chopped southwest salad full of veggies, beans, and everything nice! 

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHOPPED SALAD AND A REGULAR SALAD? 

I also made the air-fried tortilla strips I use in my Vegan Tortilla Soup recipe. 

MAKING QUICK AND EASY NO-OIL TORTILLA STRIPS FOR A SALAD TOPPER

Even though tortilla chips are usually used in and on top of the chopped southwest salad, I wanted to make them oil-free.  Again, make oil-free tortilla strips ahead of time in the air-fryer to save time.

For my Vegan Tortilla Soup, I used gluten-free corn tortillas. For my chopped southwest salad recipe, though, I decided to use flour tortillas. Regardless of your tortilla choice, they cook the same way, crispy, delicious, and oil-free. 

First, I chose flour tortillas and a pizza cutter; I cut the tortilla into thin strips. Then, I added the cut tortillas into a bowl and tossed them in lime juice, chili powder, salt, and garlic powder. The key is to toss in the lime juice, wetting the tortillas so that the seasoning will stick. 

Once seasoned, I add to my air-fryer basket and cook at 370 degrees for 10 minutes, tossing once at the 5 minutes mark. 

OTHER POSSIBLE TOPPINGS FOR CHOPPED SOUTHWEST SALAD RECIPE

Recently, I  reviewed Alpha Strips Grilled Chik'n Strips, which my boys loved! Since southwest salads usually include chicken, these faux chicken strips are an option. 

Another idea is to include your favorite grilled tofu recipe for added protein. BBQ Tofu, for instance, would be a perfect topping for chopped southwest salad. 

TWO DIFFERENT DRESSING OPTIONS FOR CHOPPED SOUTHWEST SALAD RECIPE

Salad dressing, for instance, makes or breaks a salad, in my opinion. Because some people don't like to use nuts in cooking, I provide different southwest dressing I love.

First, my vegan southwest dressing is a perfect option and easy to make. 

SOUTHWEST DRESSING (SIMPLE AND EASY)

• Raw cashews
• Fresh salsa (your favorite salsa)
• Lime juice
• Water

Or, I love my nut-free avocado cilantro dressing from my Vegan Coleslaw with Avocado-Cilantro Dressing.

AVOCADO CILANTRO DRESSING

• Avocados
• Cilantro 
• Lime, juiced, and zested
• Garlic
• Apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground pepper

Both dressing options, however, are simple to make and only require a high-speed blender.  Then, it would be best if you decided what flavor you are feeling. My husband, who likes both, used a combination of both dressings on his salad.  On the other hand, I chose the southwest dressing because it was new, and I have to make sure it’s good before suggesting you try it. 

Furthermore, I plan to serve my Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe as a side and serve the chopped southwest salad recipe as an entree. 

CHOPPING AND PREPARING CHOPPED SOUTHWEST SALAD RECIPE

One of my favorite kitchen tools, my Pro Vegetable Chopper, saves me a ton of time in the kitchen.

As a result, chopping vegetables for a variety of recipes takes minutes instead of hours.

For instance, I used the larger chopping blade for the chopped southwest salad to chop my onions, cucumber, and red bell pepper.

Then, I used the small blade to chop the jalapeno. 

As a result, I made the entire salad when cooking the tortilla strips in the air-frier.

Even though chopped southwest salad is for tonight's dinner, the salad can be made ahead of time and placed in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

FAQs

SALAD LOVERS, HERE ARE SOME SALAD IDEAS TO INCREASE YOUR GREENS

• Antipasto Salad
• Asparagus Salad
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Spinach Pasta Salad
• Roasted Vegetable Salad
• Spinach Strawberry Salad
• Tabouli Salad
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Vegan Taco Salad
• Vegan Quinoa Salad
• Quinoa Greek Salad with OMG Oil-Free Dressing

Yield: 6 servings

Chopped Southwest Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Chopped Southwest Salad Recipe is a vegan version of a popular summer salad loaded with vegetables and black beans, all chopped into perfect bite-sized pieces with two oil-free dressing options to meet your individual tastes.

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Ingredients

Air-Fried Tortillas Strips

• 2 flour or 4 corn tortillas
• 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Chopped Southwest Salad Ingredients

• 2 heads Romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 15 ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 1  English cucumber, diced
• 1 Red bell pepper, diced
• 3 ears grilled corn on the cob, or 1 1/2 cups cooked frozen or canned corn, cooled
• 1 jalapeno, diced small 

Easy Southwest Dressing

• 1/4 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight and rinsed (if you have a quality high-speed blender, you can skip soaking)
• 1/2 cup fresh salsa of choice
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup water

Avocado Cilantro Dressing

• 1 large or 2 small avocados, pit, and flesh removed
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1 lime juiced and  zested
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

AIR-FRIED TORTILLA STRIPS

1. Cut flour or corn tortillas into thin strips
2. Place tortilla strips in a bowl and pour lime juice into the bowl.
3. Using your hands, todd tortilla strips in the lime juice until they are all covered.
4. Then, sprinkle with seasonings and toss again.
5. Place tortilla strips in the bottom of the air-frier
6. Set temperature at 370 degrees
7. Cook for 10 minutes; tossing at 5 minutes.
8. Remove from the air-fryer pan.
9. Let cool
10. If you don't plan to use the air-fried tortilla strips right away, place them in a bowl and leave them out on the counter. Do not put them in a plastic bag; they will get soggy.

CHOPPED SOUTHWEST SALAD

1. Chop the Romaine lettuce and place in the base of a large bowl
2. Drain and rinse black beans
3. Chop all other vegetables in uniform size
4. Chop jalapeno smaller, as it is stronger and needs to be more distributed
5. Chop avocado right before serving to avoid browning
6. Add all chopped vegetables to the bowl with lettuce.

VEGAN SOUTHWEST DRESSING

1. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth
3. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve

AVOCADO CILANTRO LIME DRESSING

1. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth
3. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

1. Add grilled tofu or faux chicken strips if desired.
2. Add vegan cheese

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Raw Cashews, 1 Pound – Deluxe Whole Nuts, Unsalted, Unroasted Fancy Snack, Size W-320, Kosher, Vegan, Bulk, A good source of Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper & Manganese
• 
  NutriBullet Pro - 13-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System with Hardcover Recipe Book Included (900 Watts)
• 
  GoWISE USA GW22731 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer with Recipe Book, Black

Nutrition Information

Yield

4 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 375Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 0mgSodium 584mgCarbohydrates 108gFiber 29gSugar 10gProtein 27g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Kathy Carmichael

Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me