Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad is a vibrant, crunchy mix bursting with southwestern flavors. Combining crisp vegetables, zesty chipotle dressing, and the unmistakable crunch of Chili Cheese Fritos, it’s perfect as a quick side or light main dish.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, divided
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from canned chipotles in adobo

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño pepper, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin in a large bowl. Gently toss until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the dressing is smooth and uniform.
3. Step 3: Pour the chipotle dressing over the coleslaw mixture and toss gently to coat all vegetables evenly.
4. Step 4: Fold in all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos, ensuring they are distributed throughout. Just prior to serving, sprinkle the reserved Fritos on top to maintain their crisp texture.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately for optimum freshness and crunch.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
• Substitute regular Fritos if Chili Cheese Fritos are unavailable, but consider adding a bit more taco seasoning for flavor.
• Make the salad ahead but add Fritos just before serving to keep them crunchy.
• If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Storage

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep reserved Fritos separate and add them just before serving to prevent sogginess. Reheat is not recommended as the salad is best enjoyed cold and crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?

Yes, fresh corn kernels work wonderfully. Simply cook and cut them from the cob, then drain any excess moisture before adding to the salad.

Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This salad contains no meat and is packed with plant-based ingredients. Just double-check that your taco seasoning and chipotle sauce do not contain any animal products.

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 682 reviews

A vibrant and crunchy Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad combining fresh vegetables, black beans, and corn with a zesty chipotle lime dressing, topped with spicy Chili Cheese Fritos for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ideal as a refreshing side or light meal.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American Southwestern
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, divided

Dressing

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from canned chipotles in adobo

Instructions

1. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the coleslaw mix, rinsed black beans, drained corn kernels, finely diced jalapeño pepper, red bell pepper, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Gently toss everything together until well combined, ensuring even distribution of all ingredients.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and uniform in texture.
3. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared chipotle dressing over the vegetable mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the salad ingredients evenly with the flavorful dressing.
4. Add Fritos: Fold in all but a small portion of the Chili Cheese Fritos into the salad. This ensures a nice crunch distributed throughout the salad. Reserve a handful of Fritos for garnish just before serving.
5. Serve Fresh: Immediately before serving, sprinkle the reserved Fritos on top of the salad to maintain their crisp texture. Serve right away for the best freshness and crunch.

Notes

• For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add more chipotle sauce to the dressing.
• To keep the Fritos crunchy longer, add them just before serving.
• This salad can be made ahead but add the Fritos fresh to maintain texture.
• Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in the dressing.

Keywords: Frito salad, cowboy cabbage salad, chipotle lime dressing, black bean salad, vegetarian salad, crunchy salad, summer salad