Name: Bacon Ranch Tex-Mex Fajita Chopped Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into strips; 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half; 1 cup corn, canned or thawed frozen; 1/4 cup sliced red onion; 4 green onions, chopped small; 1 1/2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional); 1/2 freshly squeezed lime; 4-6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled; 1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips; 1 cup ranch dressing; 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning; 2 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon

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Why Make This Recipe

Bacon Ranch Tex-Mex Fajita Chopped Salad is a fun and tasty dish that combines fresh vegetables, savory bacon, and zesty ranch dressing. This salad is perfect for summer picnics, weekday lunches, or family dinners. It’s colorful, satisfying, and full of flavor, making it a great choice for anyone looking for something healthy yet delicious.

How to Make Bacon Ranch Tex-Mex Fajita Chopped Salad

Ingredients

2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into strips
2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 cup corn, canned or thawed frozen
1/4 cup sliced red onion
4 green onions, chopped small
1 1/2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
1/2 freshly squeezed lime
4-6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
1 cup ranch dressing
2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
2 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon

Directions

Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, green onions, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, and cilantro (if using). Toss gently to mix all the ingredients evenly.
Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, fajita seasoning, and crumbled bacon until well combined.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing. Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the top for an extra burst of flavor.
Add the Bacon and Tortilla Strips: Gently fold in the crumbled bacon and tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips just before serving to maintain their crunch.
Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Enjoy this deliciously satisfying and colorful salad as a main dish or a side!

How to Serve Bacon Ranch Tex-Mex Fajita Chopped Salad

Serve the salad right after you make it to keep the ingredients fresh and crunchy. It can be a light main dish for lunch or dinner, or a vibrant side for a barbecue or family gathering. Consider pairing it with grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.

How to Store Bacon Ranch Tex-Mex Fajita Chopped Salad

If you have leftovers, store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from getting soggy. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Before serving the leftovers, you may want to add more tortilla strips for that crunchy texture.

Tips to Make Bacon Ranch Tex-Mex Fajita Chopped Salad

Choose fresh ingredients for the best flavor and crunch.
Adjust the amount of fajita seasoning depending on your taste preferences.
For a vegetarian version, you can skip the bacon and use a vegetarian ranch dressing.

Variation

You can customize this salad by adding grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. You can also swap out the black beans for other beans like kidney beans or pinto beans.

FAQs

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the salad ingredients in advance but keep the dressing separate until you are ready to serve.

2. What can I use instead of ranch dressing?
You can use Greek yogurt or any other dressing you prefer, such as vinaigrette or salsa.

3. Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, if you use gluten-free tortilla strips or skip the tortilla chips entirely, this salad can be gluten-free.