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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Chopped Mexican Kale Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing {Vegetarian}

    Published: Feb 19, 2015 · Modified: Apr 20, 2022 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Chopped Mexican Kale Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing {Vegetarian}

    Who salads have to be boring?  This Chopped Mexican Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing is packed with vitamins, nutrients, protein and fiber that will help keep you full for hours!

    Mexican salad in a large bowl with creamy avocado dressing in a jar.

    I am in a really bad food rut these days, I am sure many of you can relate.

    These ruts typically end every spring and always returns in the winter, mostly in January.  The truth is, I don't love eating salads in the freezing cold winter.  

    Even more so, I don't like making my own salads because they always seem so complicated. That is until now.

    I like more comforting foods, and I just might have been eating too many of them lately.  So this salad is my way of turning this all around.  

    No more boring salads.  

    If you are looking for some more healthy salad recipes, you will love this Arugula Beet Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese, Black Bean Avocado Quinoa Salad and definitely my Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad!

    Why You Should Make This Chopped Mexican Salad

    I always say that I like to keep my recipes simple and this salad is exactly that. Simple doesn't need to be boring though, especially with a creamy, delicious dressing like this.

     The dressing is straight out of The Greek Yogurt Cookbook (page 113, Spinach Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing) but I thought it would go perfectly with this Mexican salad too.  Ok, let's be honest, this dressing would be awesome with just about anything.  

    My kids also love it as a dip for sliced veggies.  Or you could eat it with a spoon.  

    I may or may not have done that.  No judgements, right?  

    This salad helps me to get back on track, which I need desperately.  

    Close up of Mexican salad.

    Tips and Ideas

    So let's talk about feeling stuck in a rut.  My best advice (that I need to listen to myself!) is to prepare foods ahead of time.  This really does help prevent you from mindless eating.  

    And your meals don't have to be difficult and labor intensive. Just look how easy THIS salad is!

    Pick a day of the week that you have enough time to prep a bunch of meals and snacks. For me that day is always Sunday.

    I make a bunch of overnight oats, chia puddings, grilled chicken and salads. This was when I am HANGRY during the week I will stay on track and not be tempted to eat some of my kids' foods.

    I love adding plain Greek yogurt to the dressing.  It adds creaminess and of course protein.

    The dressing will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  And like I said, it has a ton of uses.

    Creamy avocado dressing in a jar.

    Related Recipes

    Strawberry Spinach Salad from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Yummy Kale Salad with Apples from A Mind Full Mom

    Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette from Damn Delicious

    Healthy Kale Salad with Pecorino and Walnuts from Smitten Kitchen

    Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!

    • Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
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    Chopped Mexican Kale Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

     This Chopped Mexican Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing is packed with vitamins, nutrients, protein and fiber that will help keep you full for hours!
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: brunch, dinner, lunch, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 267kcal
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    Ingredients

    • For the salad:
    • 6 cups chopped curly kale
    • 1 cup corn
    • 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
    • ½ cup diced grape tomatoes
    • 1 avocado diced
    • ¼ cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
    • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
    • ¼ cup tortilla strips for topping
    • For the Dressing:
    • 1 large ripe avocado peeled and pitted
    • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
    • ½ cup plain Stonyfield Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

    Instructions

    • Place all of the ingredients for the dressing in a food processor or blender.
    • Blend until smooth. Place in airtight container for at least 2 hours so the flavors blend.
    • In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together for the salad. Add dressing. Toss well and serve immediately.

    Notes

    To store: Place dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Place chopped salad in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 783mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7012IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Valentina

      April 29, 2022 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love this delicious and EASY kale salad! Its fresh yet hearty and packed with flavors.

      Reply
    2. emily

      April 29, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love more complex salads with a ton of flavor, and this is definitely a salad with a lot of flavor, thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Toni

      April 29, 2022 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Packed full of amazing flavors! A new favorite salad for my family!

      Reply
    4. Krystle

      April 12, 2021 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      So many amazing ingredients and the avocado ranch is to die for. I can't get my family on the kale bandwagon, but this just might win them over.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 13, 2021 at 4:28 pm

        I have also made this with spinach and it was delicious! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    5. katerina @ diethood.com

      April 12, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      Such a gorgeous salad!! The perfect lunch!! I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 13, 2021 at 4:28 pm

        Thank you, I hope you love it!

        Reply
    6. Toni

      April 12, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      This quickly became a favorite side dish at my house! It is so good!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 13, 2021 at 4:29 pm

        Love that, thanks Toni!

        Reply
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