Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad (Print)

Crunchy coleslaw mix tossed with black beans, corn, and Chili Cheese Fritos in a smoky chipotle dressing. Ready in 20 minutes.

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 bag (16 oz) coleslaw mix
02 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
03 - 1½ cups canned corn kernels, drained
04 - 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
06 - 3 green onions, finely sliced
07 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
09 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 bag (9.75 oz) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping

→ Chipotle Dressing

11 - ½ cup sour cream
12 - ½ cup mayonnaise
13 - ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
14 - 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from can of chipotles in adobo

# Instructions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, add the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce. Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and well incorporated.
03 - Pour the prepared chipotle dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until every component is evenly coated with the dressing.
04 - Add the majority of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the dressed salad, reserving a small handful for garnish. Gently fold the chips into the mixture to distribute evenly while maintaining some crunch.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle the reserved Fritos over the top for added texture and visual appeal. Serve immediately while the chips maintain their crispiness.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • The smoky chipotle dressing clings to every nook and cranny, ensuring no bland bites exist
  • Fritos stay surprisingly crunchy if you time the toss right, creating this addictive salty-sweet-crunchy situation
  • It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after the flavors have had twenty minutes to mingle
02 -
  • The dressing thins out as it sits, so make it slightly thicker than you think you need
  • Wait until the very last possible moment to add the Fritos, or youll have soggy sadness instead of crunch
  • This recipe doubles beautifully, but youll need an enormous bowl to properly toss everything
03 -
  • Let the dressed salad sit for ten minutes before adding chips for deeper flavor penetration
  • Use kitchen shears to snip the green onions directly into the bowl for zero mess
  • If making ahead, keep some crushed chips in a separate bag and add right before serving
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