Tex-Mex Salad
A vibrant Tex-Mex salad bursting with fresh fruits, vegetables, and bold flavors. Juicy oranges, creamy avocados, and crunchy peppers are combined with lime and mint for a refreshing, colorful dish perfect for casual gatherings or as a light, nutritious meal. Topped with crisp lettuce leaves for presentation.
Ingredients
- 1 orange, peeled and diced
- 1 small can mandarin orange slices, drained ⓘ
- 5 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced ⓘ
- 1 can corn kernels, drained ⓘ
- 1 small green pepper, diced ⓘ
- 1 small red pepper, diced ⓘ
- 1 small red onion, minced ⓘ
- 1 handful black olive slices ⓘ
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 4 Tbsp. fresh lime juice ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. mint, minced ⓘ
- lettuce leaves ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine orange, mandarin slices, tomatoes, avocados, corn, green pepper, red pepper, red onion, and black olive slices in a bowl.
- Using a fork, gradually mix olive oil into lime juice in a small bowl.
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and add minced mint, then toss to combine.
- Line plates or a serving bowl with lettuce leaves.
- Mound the salad on the lettuce leaves and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant flavor, consider adding diced jalapeños for a kick or substituting the black olives with pitted green olives. If you want to enhance the salad's texture, add toasted pepitas or sunflower seeds. Fresh herbs like cilantro can replace mint for a different flavor profile. This salad pairs beautifully with Chi Chi'S Mild Salsa for added zest.
Serving Suggestions
This colorful Tex-Mex Salad makes a refreshing main dish or a delightful side. It pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein. Consider serving it alongside tortilla chips or alongside a Southwestern Bean Salad for a hearty meal. Garnish with additional lime wedges for a zesty finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the freshness of the avocados and prevent browning, consider adding a bit more lime juice to the salad before refrigerating. This salad is best enjoyed cold, so no need to reheat; simply serve chilled.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tex-Mex Salad contains roughly 330 calories, with 2g protein, 24g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (126% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and dietary fiber. It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients a few hours in advance and keep them refrigerated. However, it's best to add the dressing just before serving to prevent the avocados from browning and the lettuce from wilting.
Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?
Absolutely! All ingredients in this salad are plant-based, making it a perfect option for vegan recipes. Just ensure the olive oil and any other ingredients used are compliant with your dietary preferences.
What can I add to make this salad more filling?
To make this salad more filling, consider adding cooked quinoa or black beans for extra protein and fiber. Diced grilled chicken or a scoop of Taco Meat Filling can also transform this salad into a heartier meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).