Recently, I hosted a Mexican-themed dinner for my family, and I needed a simple Mexican salad to serve with dinner. Sometimes, I make an entree-type salad with so many ingredients; it takes away from the meal's intention. That is why I made a simple Mexican salad, keeping in theme with my dinner plans.
As far as salad is concerned, I consider myself an expert. I serve salad with every meal because I'm a firm believer in eating various vegetables, colors, and nutrient-dense foods for optimal health.
When we eat greens and vegetables, it fills us up and allows us to enjoy smaller portions of other foods we like. For that reason, I eat a ton of salad before I eat my main meal, and then I get fuller faster.
Of course, oil-free dressing is yet another one of my specialties. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't consider the ingredients or dressing when thinking about healthy salads. In other words, don't waste calories on fattening, processed dressings when the oil-free, homemade versions taste fabulous with little to no calories.
How to make a simple salad for a themed dinner
As I said before, when I make a big family dinner, I used to make way too much food. Despite loving leftovers, once the dust clears and the kids go back to their respective homes, I'm left with too much food. But how do you keep it in the theme of dinner? It's easier than you think. Yes, the serving plate helps, but it's really about the salad ingredients as well as the dressing.
Simple Mexican Salad Ingredients
- Romaine Lettuce
- Baby Bell Peppers (variety of colors)
- Radishes
- Grape Tomatoes
- Red Onion
- Cucumbers
- Cilantro
- Lime Wedges
- Avocado (don't add until right before serving)
One of the beautiful things about preparing a salad for a big dinner is it can be prepared ahead of time as long as you don't dress it, or add ingredients, like avocados, that brown easily.
As a result, a salad like this prepared the day before tastes just as fresh as making it the same day.
How to make a simple Mexican style dressing oil-free
- Avocado or Plain Vegan Yogurt (optional)
- Fresh cilantro
- Garlic
- Lime juice
- Maple syrup
- Coriander
- Salt
- Water
So, the next time you want to add a fun salad to your Mexican fiesta that is easy, try this simple Mexican salad recipe.
Want to host your own Mexican Fiesta? Try these vegan Mexican dishes!
- Mexican Rice Recipe
- Mexican Pickled Carrots
- Mexican Lasagna
- Vegan Enchilada Casserole
- Vegan Enchiladas
- Enchilada Pasta
- Green Plant-Based Potato and Kale Enchiladas
- Mexican Street Corn - Vegan!
- Mexican Meatballs
Mexican Salad
Make a simple Mexican salad to accompany your Mexican-themed dinner without a lot of ingredients. With a tasty cilantro lime dressing, this salad is perfect to bring to a party or to complement any Mexican dinner.
Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 1 avocado, pitted (or 1/2 cup plain unsweetened vegan yogurt)
- 1 cups fresh cilantro
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup water
Salad Ingredients
- 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 red onion, cut into slivers
- 1 English cucumber, cut in slices and quartered
- 1-pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 8 radishes, sliced thin
- 1 cup baby bell peppers, cut into rings, or one red bell pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- 2 jalapenos (deseeded) sliced (optional)
Instructions
Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Choose avocado, vegan yogurt, or NOTHING. The dressing is good regardless of what you choose or if you leave the avocado or yogurt out.
- Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Preparing the salad
- Place the cut Romaine lettuce on the base of the platter or bowl
- Then mix in the cilantro as if it were lettuce instead of a garnish.
- Place the cut vegetables around the salad so they are evenly distributed in colors and surfaces.
- Place lime wedges around the edges for additional lime if wanted and for color.
- Do not add the avocado until right before serving.
- Serve the dressing on the side or drizzle over the salad right before serving.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
10 serrvingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 104Total Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 226mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 5gSugar 4gProtein 3g
Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.
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! 🙂
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