Tex-Mex Layered Salad
Tex-Mex Layered Salad is an impressive explosion of colors and taste that can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. It's a true show-stopper that is perfect for a pot luck, an outdoor grilling party or any time for that matter. However you serve the salad, be prepared for an amazing dish.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 262kcal
Dressing
- 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies (I used Rotel)
- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream (See Tip 1)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (See Tip 2)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Cornbread Croutons
- 8.5 ounce package Cornbread muffins
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup milk
Layered Salad
- 4 cups Romaine lettuce
- 15.25 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained well
- 11 ounce can Mexicorn rinsed, and drained well (See Tip 3)
- 7 ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese (See Tip 4)
- Chopped green onion tops for garnish, optional
Dressing
Process drained Rotel tomatoes, sour cream, cream cheese, cumin and garlic in blender until smooth. Transfer to covered dish and refrigerate.
Cornbread Croutons
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8 x 8-inch pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Combine corn muffin mix, egg and milk according to package directions. Pour batter in prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven; allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 250°F.
Cut cornbread into cubes; transfer to baking sheet. Bake in preheated 250°F oven for 1 hour. Allow to cool.
Layered Salad
Layer salad ingredients in glass bowl as follows: Romaine lettuce, black beans, Mexicorn and chopped green chiles.
Place a single layer of sliced grape tomatoes around perimeter of bowl with the cut side facing out. Add remaining sliced grape tomatoes.
Top with shredded cheese. (May be prepared in advance up to this point).
Pour half of the dressing. Reserve remaining dressing for individual portions.
Sprinkle top with green onion slices and cornbread croutons. Refrigerate for at least an hour to chill.
Yield: 8 servings.
- I used light sour cream.
- I used low-fat cream cheese.
- If you can't find Mexicorn, feel free to use canned sweet corn.
- I used extra sharp Cheddar cheese because that's what I had on hand. You could also use mild Cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, Colby Jack cheese, or whatever cheese you have on hand.
Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1731IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 2mg