Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

Introduction

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant, crunchy salad that combines bold southwestern flavors with fresh vegetables. This easy-to-make dish is perfect as a light meal or a flavorful side for any gathering. The crispy Chili Cheese Fritos add a delightful twist to the classic coleslaw mix.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping
• ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
• ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from canned chipotles in adobo (just the sauce, not the peppers)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss well until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
2. Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until smooth to create the chipotle dressing.
3. Step 3: Pour the chipotle dressing over the salad mixture and stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
4. Step 4: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad and toss gently to distribute the chips without crushing them.
5. Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Chili Cheese Fritos on top for extra crunch and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, omit the jalapeño or use a sweeter pepper instead. You can also substitute plain corn chips if you prefer less spice.
• Try adding diced avocado for creaminess or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar for extra cheesy flavor.
• Mix in some cooked, diced chicken or grilled steak to turn this salad into a hearty main dish.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain crunch, keep the Fritos separate and add them just before serving again. Stir the salad well and let it come to room temperature if desired before eating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad in advance?

You can prepare the salad and dressing a few hours ahead, but it’s best to add the Fritos right before serving to keep them crispy.

What can I use if I can’t find chipotle sauce?

If you don’t have chipotle sauce, you can substitute with a bit of smoked paprika mixed with a little hot sauce or a small amount of finely chopped canned chipotle pepper, adjusting to taste.

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 92 reviews

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant and flavorful Southwestern-inspired salad combining crunchy coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a creamy, tangy chipotle dressing. Topped with Chili Cheese Fritos for a deliciously crunchy finish, this easy-to-make salad is perfect for quick lunches, potlucks, or as a side dish at your next BBQ.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Southwestern American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping

Dressing

• ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
• ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo, just the sauce (not the peppers)

Instructions

1. Mix salad together: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
2. Make dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the dressing is smooth and creamy. This creates approximately 1 ¼ cups of chipotle dressing.
3. Combine dressing with salad: Pour the chipotle dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl.
4. Add Fritos to salad: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos into the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly with dressing and distribute the Fritos throughout.
5. Top with remaining Fritos: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Chili Cheese Fritos on top for extra crunch and garnish.
6. Serve immediately: This salad is best served fresh to enjoy the crisp texture of the Fritos and fresh vegetables.

Notes

• For extra heat, include some of the chopped chipotle peppers in the dressing along with the sauce.
• You can substitute plain Fritos if Chili Cheese Fritos are unavailable but the cheesy flavor will be missing.
• Prepare the salad components ahead but add dressing and Fritos just before serving to maintain crunch.
• Optional: add diced avocado or shredded cheese for extra creaminess.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator but will lose the Fritos’ crunch.

Keywords: Frito Cowboy Cabbage, Southwestern salad, coleslaw mix salad, chipotle dressing, chili cheese fritos, easy salad recipe