Tex Mex Layered Salad is a nice version of a layered salad that includes all kinds of delicious goodies. It’s very much like a taco salad with a creamy, southwestern style dressing.

Tex Mex Layered Salad

Whether it’s the beginning of a new year or the approaching summer season, it’s time to start thinking about “salad.” I’m sure there quite a few people out there who agree. Salad for dinner is a good idea if you want to try and lighten things up!

There’s no meat in this salad (but you can add a layer of seasoned taco meat if you’d like), and it’s easily gluten-free adaptable.

Ingredients needed:

DRESSING:

  • canned original Rotel tomatoes with chiles
  • sour cream
  • cream cheese
  • ground cumin
  • garlic clove

SALAD:

  • chopped Romaine lettuce
  • canned black beans
  • canned corn
  • avocado
  • jarred roasted red pepper strips
  • shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • canned sliced olives
  • sliced green onions
  • garnishes, as desired

four photos showing how to layer tex mex salad

How to make Tex Mex Salad:

*The complete, printable recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post.

PREPARE THE DRESSING:

Place dressing ingredients in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to combine until smooth. Set aside while you prepare the salad.

**NOTE: Please note that the video for this recipe shows adding mayonnaise to the dressing. That’s an error- it’s cream cheese!

PREPARE THE SALAD:

Layer the salad ingredients in a large glass bowl in the following order: 4 cups of lettuce, black beans, corn and avocado.

four photos showing how to layer tex mex salad

Then add the red peppers, 2 more cups of lettuce, cheese, and olives.

Making Tex Mex Layered Salad

Spread the dressing on top.

Tex Mex Layered Salad

Then use a few sprinkles of chopped lettuce, cheese, olives and green onions to garnish the top. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours, or serve immediately.

Tex Mex Layered Salad

The best part is… if you don’t like a layer, leave it out or replace it with something you like better!  The dressing mixes into the salad as it’s served.  This salad is a nice choice to bring for all of those barbecue potlucks you’re invited to. And because you’re eating salad, now you can feel like you’re eating more healthy!

If you’re looking for more great salad recipes to try, you might enjoy some of these:

5 from 1 vote

Tex Mex Layered Salad

I love this Tex Mex salad, complete with layers and a great dressing!
Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
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Ingredients

DRESSING:

SALAD:

  • 6 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
  • One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • One 15-ounce can corn, rinsed and drained
  • 2 medium avocados, peeled and sliced or diced
  • ¾ cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • One 6-ounce can sliced olives (reserve a few for garnish)
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions
  • additional chopped lettuce, shredded cheese and olives for garnish

Instructions 

PREPARE THE DRESSING:

  • Place dressing ingredients in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to combine until smooth. Set aside while you prepare the salad.
    NOTE: Please note that the video for this recipe shows adding mayonnaise to the dressing. That's an error- it's cream cheese!

PREPARE THE SALAD:

  • Layer the salad ingredients in a large glass bowl in the following order: 4 cups of lettuce, black beans, corn, avocado, red peppers, 2 more cups of lettuce, cheese, and olives. Spread the dressing on top. Then use a few sprinkles of chopped lettuce, cheese, olives and green onions to garnish the top. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours, or serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, just be sure to use a brand of black beans that is known to be GF.
  • This salad is vegetarian as written, but you can easily add a layer of taco-seasoned chicken or ground beef to the salad.
  • Use light versions of sour cream, cream cheese and shredded cheese if you're watching your calorie intake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 264kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 444mg, Potassium: 538mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 2645IU, Vitamin C: 13.1mg, Calcium: 138mg, Iron: 1.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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46 Comments

  1. Carla @ Carla's Confections says:

    Wow that salad looks just awesome! I am definitely looking forward to that one 🙂

  2. The Hungry Housewife says:

    THANK GOD baseball season is over….seemed like it lasted 10 months! Love the dip!

  3. Lynna says:

    Oh wow, this looks BEAUTIFUL & i bet it tastes crazyy good! adding this to my must-make list for this summer!

  4. Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says:

    I’m a total salad snob and this one looks fantabulous!!! Thanks!

  5. kelley says:

    I absolutely love all the flavors in this not to mention how gorgeous it is! We finish school this week as well. Looking forward to a much more relaxed schedule!!

  6. Carolyn T says:

    Thanks, Lori, for the link to the layered Lebanese salad I made some years back. I like your idea of the Tex-Mex. I always loved these kinds of layered salads when they were first devised 20+ years ago – you can make them a day ahead and they look SO pretty. I’ll have to try yours!

  7. Averie @ Averie Cooks says:

    School’s out for my little girl this week, too. Now if only the weather would get nice. Not sure up there, but in the city, it’s like 58 and cold and rainy!

  8. Catalina @ Cake with Love says:

    This salad is great for dipping some blue corn chips in it! Love all the layers and flavors!

  9. Awkward Kitchenette says:

    This looks so gorgeous and delicious! Must make it asap!

  10. Maria says:

    Lots of tasty layers! Great salad for summer!