Last Updated on April 8, 2023 by Ellen Christian
This Easy Southwest Salad recipe is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. I’ve been looking for easy gluten-free recipes in an effort to reduce the processed foods in some of the kids’ meals. With kids, they want easy so they usually turn to sandwiches. With a few grab and go salads in the refrigerator, they’ll have other options. I am a Certified Angus Beef Ambassador but I am sharing this recipe simply because we love it.
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Easy Southwest Salad with Certified Angus Beef
I modified this recipe a bit from the Certified Angus Beef site so that it used things we had on hand. The original recipe called for grilling a flank steak outside. Since it’s still too cold to grill in Vermont, I started with Certified Angus Beef stir fry meat to save time. I also left out the avocado since we didn’t have one, and I had no time to run to the store. I’m all about easy in the kitchen.
Can I make this easy southwest salad vegetarian?
Sure, you definitely can. If you leave the beef out of this recipe, you will have a vegetarian southwest salad. You can top it with tofu or your favorite type of vegetarian crumbles. Or, leave it plain and enjoy it as a southwest bean salad.
If you want to make a southwest chicken salad recipe, just substitute cooked boneless skinless chicken for the beef. This is a very flexible southwest salad recipe.
If you’re looking for a shortcut, this non-GMO Southwest Seasoning is amazing!
I found a great selection of Certified Angus Beef at our local Price Chopper in Rutland. For all my local readers, make sure that you look there for the beef for this recipe. If you’d like to add more greens to the recipe, you can serve it on a bed of lettuce. Or, you can add spinach leaves, arugula, dandelion greens, endive and any other leafy greens you have available.
How do you store leftovers?
We usually finish this easy southwest salad all in one meal. But, if you have leftovers, you can place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for two days.
More southwest recipes
We are huge fans of southwest cooking which I guess makes sense since my husband is originally from Texas. We regularly have meals of my famous crock pot chili, white chicken chili, and chicken enchilada stew. Don’t forget to finish the meal off with a Mexican Mochaccino.
I hope you’ll have a chance to try my easy Southwest Salad soon! Check out these recipes for leftover beef.
More salads that feel like meals
If you’re looking for a filling lunch or light dinner, this easy southwest salad recipe is perfect. If you want to try a different type of salad as a meal, why not try these.
Easy Southwest Salad with Certified Angus Beef
Easy southwest salad recipe with beef
Ingredients
- 1 pkg of Certified Angus Beef ® stir fry meat
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon granulated onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups corn, cooked and cut off the cob
- 2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 onion, minced
- 2 bunchs cilantro, divided
- 2 red bell peppers, minced
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 cup olive oil
- Juice from 2 limes ( about 1/4 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
Instructions
- Combine garlic, ginger, cumin, onion powder, cayenne, sugar, salt pepper; mix well and rub into stir fry meat. Cook to desired doneness. Let rest 5 minutes.
- Mince 1 bunch cilantro. In a large bowl, combine corn, beans, onion, minced cilantro, peppers; season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Prepare dressing by mixing yogurt, oil, lime juice, garlic, vinegar and remaining cilantro in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss corn mixture with dressing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1031Total Fat: 71gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 55gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 1765mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 15gSugar: 21gProtein: 36g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
Looks Yummy!
This is my kind of salad!!
We loved it!
This looks tasty! Thank you for the recipe. I’ll be making it later. 🙂
Thanks, Laura. Hope you enjoy it.
I like this recipe because it has ingredients I have on hand and just need some fresh corn and beef. I usually get some fresh veggies including cilantro or parsley every week and peppers are healthy and tasty to keep around for snacks too. It’s hard to keep avocados around since they ripen so quickly.
I hope you’ll have a chance to try it!
A vey healthy and piquant-looking mixture of foods there!
Thank you!
Oh this looks really good! Â I have to eat gluten free and am always looking for new recipes to try! Â I have to try this one! Â YUM
Hope you enjoy it!
This salad looks really good and healthy too. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad to share, Lisa!
Great summertime salad! I’ve served steak and corn salad but never combined them before.
Thanks, Renee!
This looks like a delicious and healthy salad.
Thanks, Nancy. We loved it!
I am saving this recipe,this looks delicious!!
Thanks, Dolores!