Frito Cowboy Cabbage Salad (Printable Version)

Bold Southwestern-style cabbage salad with Fritos, black beans, and smoky chipotle dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad Components

01 - 16 oz bag coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
02 - 15 oz can 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 - 9.75 oz bag Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving handful for topping

→ Chipotle Dressing

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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, diced jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss thoroughly until vegetables and spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
02 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce. Continue whisking until completely smooth and well blended, with no visible streaks.
03 - Pour the prepared chipotle dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until all vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
04 - Add all Chili Cheese Fritos to the dressed salad except for a small reserved handful. Gently fold in the chips to maintain their crunch while distributing them evenly throughout the salad.
05 - Just before serving, scatter the reserved Fritos over the top of the salad for maximum crunch and visual appeal. Serve immediately while chips remain crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The texture play between creamy, crunchy, and crisp keeps every bite interesting
  • It comes together in literally twenty minutes flat
  • People will actually hover around the bowl instead of politely ignoring the coleslaw
02 -
  • The Fritos will start getting soggy after about thirty minutes, so time this carefully
  • Letting the salad sit for ten minutes before serving helps the flavors meld
  • Chipotle sauce varies wildly in heat between brands, so start with less
03 -
  • Squeeze your coleslaw mix in a clean kitchen towel to prevent watery dressing
  • Double the dressing recipe if you like things extra creamy
  • Wear gloves when dicing jalapeños to avoid accidental eye contact later
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