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Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad Recipe

4.9 from 134 reviews

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad is a vibrant and crunchy salad featuring a mix of coleslaw vegetables, black beans, corn, and colorful peppers. Tossed in a creamy chipotle lime dressing and topped with crispy Chili Cheese Fritos, this salad offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors. Ideal as a refreshing side dish or light meal, it’s quick to prepare and no cooking is required.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad 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

Dressing Ingredients

  • 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 the Salad Ingredients: 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 all ingredients are evenly combined.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the dressing is smooth and uniform in texture.
  3. Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the chipotle dressing over the mixed salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure all vegetables are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
  4. Add Fritos: Fold in all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos, distributing them evenly throughout the salad to add crunch and flavor.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved Fritos on top to maintain their crispness. Serve immediately for the best freshness and texture.

Notes

  • For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or cooked shrimp.
  • If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the jalapeño pepper.
  • This salad is best served immediately to keep the Fritos crunchy.
  • You can substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
  • Chipotle sauce can be adjusted to taste depending on your spice preference.

Keywords: Frito salad, Cowboy cabbage salad, Chipotle dressing, Coleslaw mix, Black bean salad, Crunchy salad, Vegetarian salad, Quick salad recipe