Who says salads have to be boring? This Mexican Chopped Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing is packed with vitamins, nutrients, protein, and fiber that will help keep you full for hours!
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 return 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 Mexican Chopped 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. It’s the perfect addition to a Mexican chopped salad.
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 Mexican chopped salad helps me to get back on track, which I need desperately.
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 kale salad is to make compared to a Mexican chopped salad!
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 way 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.
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
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Chopped Mexican Kale Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
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.
Lara Jim / Receitas Faceis
Hello, I'm a fan of your work and whenever I can I'm here reading each new post. Congratulations on the great work you have been doing on the blog. Kisses
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet
Kale and avocado go so well together. They are like the superfood dynamic duo! I have a creamy avocado kale pasta recipe on my blog I eat weekly and I'll be adding this salad to my meal rotation too!
lauren.kelly
Thanks so much Lauren, I hope you love it too!
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all
This looks and sounds both delicious and healthy! I'm in!
lauren.kelly
Enjoy!
Brenda@SugarfreeMom
Love this pretty salad! Happy New Year!
Christie
I can't wait to try out this dressing!
lauren.kelly
I bet you love it Christie!
Lise @MomLovesBaking
I need more Kale in my life, will have to try.
lauren.kelly
Yes! It's a great excuse to eat more kale 🙂
Laureen
I love when salads make a full meal and this looks terrific!
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
susan / the wimpy vegetarian
This is the perfect salad to have after Thanksgiving! Love!!
lauren.kelly
Thank you so much!
Kristen+@+A+Mind+Full+Mom
This salad looks absolutely fabulous! I can not wait to try it!
lauren.kelly
Thank you so much Kristen!
Carrie @ poet in the pantry
It so good to see green, especially right now! That looks fantastic!
Julia
I agree about comfort food. I try to balance it with light salads and this is perfect. Love the kale!
Barb
what a beautiful picture! Do you mind if I use it as my screen-saver? LOL 🙂 I absolutely LOVE Kale and this recipe makes it even more appetizing. Cannot wait to make this!
Nutmeg Nanny
I agree in the winter I just want stick to your ribs comfort food. This salad looks like comfort food to me too thought. So hearty and flavorful 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
I TOTALLY feel ya on wanting comfort food in the winter! But spring is...springing? so I am all about this salad! And the dressing sounds SO GOOD! I want to pour it on all the things! Pinned!
Mike
You always have good taseting food
Thank you again
Mike
lauren.kelly
Thanks Mike! I hope you like it 🙂