Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (grilled or canned)
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cucumber, sliced or diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup crumbled cheese (optional, use a plant-based variety if preferred)
- Fresh lime wedges (for serving)
Optional Add-Ons:
- Grilled chicken breast or tofu slices
- Crispy chickpeas or tortilla strips for crunch
- Sliced bell peppers
- Diced mango or pineapple for a sweet contrast
- Pumpkin or sunflower seeds for added texture
For the Jalapeno Ranch Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt alternative)
- 1 jalapeno (seeded for milder heat, or keep seeds for extra spice)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 garlic clove
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)
Instructions
1. Prepare the salad ingredients
- Rinse and chop the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro.
- Dice the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Drain and rinse the black beans and corn. If using fresh corn, grill and slice it off the cob.
- Arrange all salad ingredients in a large serving bowl or platter, layering for presentation.
2. Make the jalapeno ranch dressing
- In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, jalapeno, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning or heat level if needed.
3. Toss or drizzle
- Just before serving, either drizzle the dressing over the salad or serve it on the side for guests to add as desired.
- Toss gently to coat ingredients evenly if dressing in advance.
4. Add toppings
- Top the salad with cheese, crunchy add-ons, or protein choices such as grilled chicken or tofu.
- Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro for a vibrant finish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for optional grilled corn or protein add-ons)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large salad bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5 g
- Fat: 27 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 12 g