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You are here: Home / 30 Minutes or Less / Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

August 31, 2015 by Meghan 36 Comments

Recipe posts are getting a bit stale for me.

This simple and healthy Southwestern Salad combines corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is the icing on the proverbial cake.

Not the actual consumption of food of course. That never gets old. What I really mean is penning the damn things.

I’m tired of saying the same bits and bobs over and over again with subtle variations. There’s only so many times I can claim “textural perfection” or “mouth candy,” without coming across as redundant or even worse, disingenuous. Although I’m fairly certain I’ve used the phrase “souped up, pimped out, veggie loving heart” only one time, and it seems to me that one deserves a repeat performance.

Lettuce

When it comes to food, the thesaurus is my friend, my very good friend in fact. While I may use it to search for synonyms, I avoid the word delicious like the plague. It’s a big no-no for food bloggers; too obvious, without saying much of anything. I gleaned this tidbit of information from my Food Blogging for Dummies book. I wish I were kidding. I’m about halfway through the 300 plus pages. I bought it three years ago. Oops.  

This simple and healthy Southwestern Salad combines corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is the icing on the proverbial cake.

So I still want to share my delightful and delectable recipes with all of you for two reasons.

One, it’s sort of the point of my entire blog. I want you to eat yo’ veggies, preferably local, and actually enjoy them too because veggies are the bomb.com, salt of the earth stuff right there, literally. Once I’ve converted you to loving your veggies, alongside whatever else you choose to put on your plate, I will move on to world domination. Obviously.

Oh yes, it will be mine. 

This simple and healthy Southwestern Salad combines corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is the icing on the proverbial cake.

The other reason recipes are important is they’re the bread and butter for food blogging success. As much as I loved my Pearls of Wisdom post or The Fitness Industry Makes Me Sad, those aren’t getting passed around Pinterest like bowls of candy. They’re not being shared on Facebook, going viral or even being revisited the way you would a recipe post. Those guys are like long lost lovers. You go back to them time and again, if only to look up the oven temperature. Those babies are hot.

You might be wondering, “Well Meghan, if you’re tired of penning recipe posts, where does that leave us?,” to which I would respond, “Great question, you all are so thoughtful and direct.” Clearly, this is why we get on so well.  

This simple and healthy Southwestern Salad combines corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is the icing on the proverbial cake.

The answer is: for me, it’s all about authenticity along with twisting words and phrases to better meet my nefarious needs. Cackle, cackle.

So, I’m still going to share recipes and talk about whole food hating, while being true to myself, which entails keeping it real and rather simple for this one.

This Southwestern Salad: it’s good. It’s really good. It’s a mixture of lettuce, fresh corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, green onions, avocados and pepper jack cheese all topped with a quick and easy cilantro lime vinaigrette. Basically, it’s a boatload of tasty, nutrient dense, whole foods in one bowl. It’s also responsible for the Hubby and I eating an entire head of lettuce, plus toppings, in a single sitting. Now that’s impressive.

First the Hubby, then you, finally the world.

Southwestern Salad
2015-08-31 03:32:11
Serves 6
This simple and healthy Southwestern Salad combines corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is the icing on the proverbial cake.
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
20 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 head of Lettuce, cleaned and dried.
  2. 1 ear of Corn, kernels cut off the cob* or 1 can of Corn, rinsed and drained
  3. 1 can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
  4. 3 ounces Pepper Jack Cheese or spicy cheese of choice.
  5. 1/2 pint of Cherry Tomatoes, cut into halves or quarters.
  6. 3 Green Onions, chopped (white and green parts)
  7. 1/2 Avocado, chopped
Instructions
  1. Wash and dry the lettuce and break into salad size pieces. Add to large salad bowl.
  2. Top with the rest of the ingredients from the corn to the avocado.
  3. Dress with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette (see recipe below).
Notes
  1. *To cut corn kernels off the cob, I chop off the very tip off the cob to create a flat surface. I hold the handle of the ear of corn up high in my non-dominant hand, while pressing the now flat tip of the cob into my cutting board, at a roughly 45 degree angle. Then I take a sharp, wide knife and carefully scape off the kernels starting at the top and going down towards the cutting board. Rotate the ear and repeat. Once I've removed all the kernels, I go back around the cob, scraping the entire ear all over again. This captures all the flavor (or juice or milk) of the corn. You want this. It's the good stuff.
  2. **This easily serves 6 as an appetizer salad or 2 if you're having it for dinner.
By Meghan McCarthy
Clean Eats, Fast Feets http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
2015-08-31 03:51:35
A quick and zesty dressing which comes together in minutes.
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Save Recipe
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Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
  2. 1/2 Lime, juice of
  3. 1 Tbsp. Honey
  4. 1/2 tsp. Cilantro
  5. Black Pepper, a pinch of
Instructions
  1. Whisk all ingredients together until blended.
  2. Drizzle over Southwestern Salad.
By Meghan McCarthy
Clean Eats, Fast Feets http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/
 

This simple and healthy Southwestern Salad combines corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is the icing on the proverbial cake.

#Southwestern #Salad contains corn, black beans, avocado, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and cherry tomatoes, topped with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.

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What are some of your favorite salad toppings? If you’re a food blogger, how do you feel about penning recipe posts?

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Filed Under: 30 Minutes or Less, Appetizers, Gluten Free, Good Eats, Main Dishes & Sides, Reflections, Salads, Vegetarian Tagged With: Clean Eating, CSA, farmers marketing, funny, happy, healthy, healthy living blogger, Nutritional Info, recipe, Recipe Alert, vegetables, vegetarian

« Caprese Salad Recipe and Genuine Blogging
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Comments

  1. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    August 31, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    I have been feeling the exact same way, since recently I bumped my recipes up to twice per week. I used to love writing them and they felt easy, and now, same as you, I feel like I’m saying the same stuff over and over. How many times can I make fun of my husband’s picky eating? Luckily he doesn’t mind, but still, after a point it gets old. There’s no way in hell I’m stopping recipes though, so I’ll just have to relax and let the words flow I guess!
    Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…NYC Marathon Training Recap Week 7My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:39 PM

      I have oodles of delicious (gasp, the forbidden word) recipes I want to share. Now if only they’d write themselves. 🙂

      Also, I loved the fudge. I bastardized it with Peanut Butter but I still loved it.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
      • Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

        September 1, 2015 at 8:32 AM

        Truth is I have bastardized many of my own recipes with PB 🙂 Glad you liked it!
        Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Banana Almond Coffee Cake Muffins {Paleo}My Profile

        Reply
        • Meghan says

          September 1, 2015 at 7:48 PM

          I’m in good company then. 🙂 🙂
          Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

          Reply
  2. Jessica says

    August 31, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    To heck with proper synonyms, this looks DELICIOUS! 🙂
    Jessica recently posted…September 2015 GoalsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:39 PM

      Amen!
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Jamie says

    August 31, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    I live for beets and chickpeas on my salad.. It just gives it extra texture 🙂
    Jamie recently posted…Bye Felicia (August) #MIMMMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:40 PM

      I agree, chickpeas are awesome in salad. I love the texture and added protein.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Brittany says

    August 31, 2015 at 12:34 PM

    I haven’t been big on recipe posts these days, more because they take too much work and I just don’t wanna do it! I don’t give two F’s if my posts get shared, so I just do what I WANT! HAHA. I want this salad.
    Brittany recently posted…Real Food, Real GoodMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:43 PM

      I can feed you this salad in fifteen days.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Heather@hungryforbalance says

    August 31, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    I enjoy your general ramblings posts! I also enjoy your “delicious” recipe posts. You should post what makes you happy; we will always be happy to read it 🙂
    I love Southwestern salads and this looks like a “delightful” one.
    P.S. We can totally kill a head of lettuce in a sitting as well.
    Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…Birthday Weekend FunMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:45 PM

      I think we should add “lettuce killers” to our resumes. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Frances says

    August 31, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    If it helps, I really really appreciate the fact that you do post recipes! When I need inspiration for a week of healthy eats (which is pretty often) or for what to with my farmers’ market haul, I definitely look at your recipes and at your What I Ate Wednesday posts. Your style of eating resonates with me, and is what I aspire to, so I hope you keep posting.

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:47 PM

      Your comment absolutely helps Frances. Thank you for taking the time to leave it. Day made. I so very much appreciate it.

      Also, I’ve got a boatload of salads coming along with a super veggie packed Panini so stay tuned.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  7. Danielle says

    August 31, 2015 at 1:10 PM

    Please forgive me but I can’t help myself… This looks deliciously delish! I know I know. But that’s my reflex typing what my brain got, and my eyeballs said to my tummy damn, that shit looks yummy.
    Posting recipes is still a thorn in my side, as much as I play and create magical edible eats in the kitchen, posting recipes has not exactly been my primary focus. My food tastes change like the weather so I feel it’d appear I was deranged. And I want to care more about all these recipes, but that has to happen naturally. Meanwhile I enjoy your masterful gems that inspire me and make me all happy and smizy inside 🙂
    Danielle recently posted…injureez: work through da chitMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:50 PM

      You can say delicious as many times as you want.
      Also, I didn’t post a lot of recipes either in the beginning. I was still finding my voice. It took me some time and confidence to work up to those. Plus, I was your typical throw it all in the pot and taste as you go, so I’ve had to force myself to measure things and write them down. Totally worth it though, and I’m glad I did it on my time frame.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  8. meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles says

    August 31, 2015 at 3:22 PM

    I love this salad combo, you know I love my black beans and corn together! I go through phases with all of my post types. Sometimes I am on a recipe roll and then weeks go by with none. I really need to post some, I have the ones in mind but the taking of pictures and yes, writing them, is what’s holding me off lol.
    meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted…8 Weekend Things To Tell YouMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 6:51 PM

      Yes, this is pretty similar to your Cheesecake Factory Salad. I’m missing those crunchy tortilla chips on top though.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  9. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    August 31, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    You told me to come read, so I came to read right away. How did you know exactly what I needed to hear? Currently struggling through a recipe post of my own, and I couldn’t agree more about hating to pen the damn things. I just want to be like… HERE! FOOD! MAKE IT! … but nooooo. There’s taste and texture and special diets to talk about. Le sigh. Good thing I have a stack of bars to fuel my thoughts. Although I should probably follow that up with a salad because #vitamins.
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. link love 8/30 .My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      August 31, 2015 at 7:01 PM

      I say eat the bars because I’ll probably overload you with salads when you come to town. Someone’s gotta help me eat all that lettuce?!

      You should write the anti-recipe post for tomorrow and then follow it up with a delicious recipe. It’ll be glorious.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  10. Sarah Pie says

    August 31, 2015 at 8:30 PM

    I confess to eating an entire head of lettuce by myself on more than one occasion… 🙂
    Your recipe posts always make me smile, mostly because you eat the kind of food I love to eat so I always leave ready to cook. That being said I feel your waning love with writing them because it does get really old, really fast (you’ll notice I haven’t posted one since I got back haha).
    Sarah Pie recently posted…Why I meal prep on the weekend and you should tooMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      September 1, 2015 at 5:36 AM

      Since I have a ton more recipes to share, a waning love won’t keep me down. I’ll just have to figure out a different way to give you guys the goods without boring myself or you in the process.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  11. Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says

    August 31, 2015 at 9:49 PM

    That book actually exists!!? Maybe I should buy it…
    I create so many meals each week for david and I, using the local fresh produce we have sourced at the weekend, yet I hardly ever post a recipe. Why? because I always think they are ‘to simple’. Now I am thinking maybe that’s what people actually want to see! And making simple food from amazing ingredients makes me happy so a win win! Hmmm you have me thinking!
    Also this salad looks great! David and I have been slowly adding beans back into our diet to see if we have any sort of reaction to them – so far so good! So this may be our next try!
    Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…Currently – September!My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      September 1, 2015 at 5:41 AM

      Don’t buy it. I’ll loan you my copy. It’s just collecting dust anyway. 😉

      In general, recipe posts are great for blog traffic because people share those and come back to them time and time again if they like the recipe. I say if you have good food to share, you should do it, especially if it’s simple. Keep in mind, once you do the recipe post, you have to advertise it: share it on FB, IG, Twitter, and most definitely on Pinterest. In fact, the more group Pinterest boards you can pin it to, the better. Me personally, I like recipes which keep it simple. If you’ve got me ordering a special spice or ingredient off Amazon, I’m out.

      I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and David with the beans. They’re one of my favorite protein sources, alongside eggs and cheese. I hope it works. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  12. Khushboo says

    September 1, 2015 at 3:37 AM

    Dayummmmn girl, you are killing it with that first photo- dreamy!! Clearly I’m not as clued up about food blogging like I thought- I am so guilty of using the word ‘delicious’ but hey- if the word fits ;)! This salad is everything- cheese and avocado are top on my list of favorite salad toppers- love me some healthy fats!
    Khushboo recently posted…Travel favoritesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      September 1, 2015 at 5:51 AM

      Thanks sunshine and you’re right about that first photo because Food Gawker accepted it. HOORAY!

      P.S. It was taken with my iPhone. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    September 1, 2015 at 3:47 AM

    I am loving this recipe – nothing beats a good chopped southern salad!

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      September 1, 2015 at 5:52 AM

      Thanks. I’m a fan too.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime VinaigretteMy Profile

      Reply
  14. Sarah | Well and Full says

    September 2, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    I didn’t realize saying delicious was taboo for food bloggers!! Whoops! 😉 But I’d say delectable is a great word to describe this salad 😀
    Sarah | Well and Full recently posted…My Favorite Coconut Bacon! (+ a Vegan Cobb Salad)My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      September 2, 2015 at 6:33 PM

      Delectable works too, although I wouldn’t hate if you said delicious either.
      Meghan recently posted…Simple Salad Hacks Guaranteed to Sway The SkepticsMy Profile

      Reply
  15. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    September 4, 2015 at 1:50 PM

    1. The pictures are so effing vibrant and glorious, I am using you as a reference point to all the twats out there who say it’s DSLR or end all.

    2. As much as I hate some of the stuff I say in my posts (ask Spoons), it’s imperative otherwise people ask silly questions.

    3. Hello beautiful. you, and the salad.
    Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Healthy 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Fudge (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free)My Profile

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      September 5, 2015 at 8:33 AM

      Yep, the pictures were all iPhone. I guess I am proof it can be done, especially since Food Gawker accepted this one. 🙂 🙂 Insert happy dance here.

      Hello Arman, you beautiful Aussie you.
      Meghan recently posted…I Am An OxymoronMy Profile

      Reply
  16. vickie says

    October 23, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    Love the recipe…but have a question on the dressing. Ingredients list 1/2 olive oil….it that 1/2 cup?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Meghan says

      October 23, 2015 at 12:07 PM

      Eek, you are 100% correct. It’s half a cup of olive oil. Thank you for noticing that and letting me know. I very much appreciate it, and I updated the recipe. I hope you enjoy.

      Reply
    • Meghan says

      October 23, 2015 at 8:25 PM

      Actually that’s not right either. It’s 1/4 cup olive oil. I just checked my hand scratched notebook where I track all my recipe testing. Thanks and sorry for all the confusion.

      Reply

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  1. Simple Salad Hacks Guaranteed to Sway The Skeptics - Clean Eats, Fast Feets says:
    September 2, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    […] head Southwest and add black beans, fresh corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and green onions topped with a […]

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I’m Meghan, CEO of City Hippie granola, a food blogger, and fit(ish) momma of a toddler keeping it real in Cleveland. Coffee is my higher power, followed by veggies and cheese or cheese and veggies or veggies with cheese.

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