Easy weeknight meal, bursting with Southwest flavors! This hearty salad will satisfy even the hungriest members of your family. Perfect for those busy nights, driving kids back and forth to school activities. You can have it on the table within 30 minutes.
Want to make it even easier?
- You can prepare the salad earlier in the week – it will keep for 3-4 days.
- Use beef fajita strips from the frozen aisle or refrigerated, grilled chicken from the prepared meat section.
- Use store-bought Southwest ranch dressing
How to Make Spicy Southwest Salad
- Prepare the salad: Put the chopped romaine into a large serving bowl or platter. Arrange corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion and cheese around the bowl. Sprinkle the crushed Doritos over the top. Set aside while you prepare the meat.
- Prepare the meat: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium. Brush olive oil on the steak or chicken and season with your favorite Southwest rub. Grill, flipping once. Steak should be done to an internal temperature of 135° F for medium. Chicken should be done to an internal temperature of 165° F. Once done, let rest for 5-10 minutes. Cut into ½” slices.
- Assemble: Add sliced steak or chicken. Drizzle with Southwest ranch dressing. Add any additional toppings you choose, such as pickled jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, or lime wedges. Enjoy!
Pro Tip:
Want homemade taste without the work??? Doctor up store-bought Southwest ranch dressing to taste homemade!
Add the following:
1 Tbsp. pickled jalapeños, finely chopped
The juice from half a lime
1 Tbsp. fresh, chopped cilantro.
Make Your Own:
Click this link for my homemade Southwest Ranch Dressing: https://buddhabellybistro.net/southwest-ranch-dressing/
Spicy Southwest Salad
Spicy Southwest Salad. Easy, 30-minute salad filled with juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, creamy avocado, grilled steak, and a spicy Southwest ranch dressing. Perfect for those busy nights, driving kids back and forth to school activities.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine rinsed and chopped
- 1 cup corn canned, frozen, or two ears of fresh corn
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1-2 avocados sliced
- ½ red onion sliced into thin rings OR ½ cup pickled red onions
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 handfuls of crushed Doritos tortilla chips, or corn chips
- 1 lb. grilled steak or chicken sliced
- 1 cup Southwest ranch dressing – see my recipe for homemade version
- Optional: pickled jalapeño slices black beans, fresh cilantro, crumbled bacon, lime wedges
Instructions
Prepare the salad:
- Put the chopped romaine into a large serving bowl or platter. Arrange corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion and cheese around the bowl. Sprinkle the crushed Doritos over the top.
Prepare the meat:
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium. Brush olive oil on the steak or chicken and season with your favorite Southwest rub. Grill, flipping once. Steak should be done to an internal temperature of 135° F for medium. Chicken should be done to an internal temperature of 165° F. Once done, let rest for 5-10 minutes. Cut into ½” slices.
Assemble:
- Add sliced steak or chicken. Drizzle with Southwest ranch dressing. Add any additional toppings you choose, such as pickled jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, or lime wedges. Enjoy!
Notes
Want your store bought dressing to taste homemade?
You can add the following:
1 Tbsp.pickled jalapeños, finely chopped
The juice from half a lime
1 Tbsp. fresh, chopped cilantro.
You can add the following:
1 Tbsp.pickled jalapeños, finely chopped
The juice from half a lime
1 Tbsp. fresh, chopped cilantro.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!