Description
Cowboy Salad is a vibrant and hearty salad combining fresh romaine lettuce, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, turkey bacon, and a medley of colorful vegetables, all tossed in a creamy, smoky BBQ dressing. Perfect for a quick, nutritious meal or a flavorful side dish that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Greens
- 1 Head Lettuce (Romaine, chopped)
- 2 Cups Tomatoes (Cherry, cut in half)
- 1 Cup Corn (frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1 Avocado (chopped)
- 1 Bell Pepper (Red, chopped)
- 1 Jalapeno (seeded and minced)
- 1/2 Onion (red, diced)
- 1 Handful Cilantro (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Beans & Protein
- 15 oz Beans (black, drained)
- 15 oz Peas (Black Eyed, drained)
- 6 Slices Turkey Bacon (cooked and chopped)
Dairy
- 1 Cup Cheese (Cheddar, shredded)
Dressing
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Cup Smokey Sweet BBQ Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Lime juice
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, smoky sweet BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lime juice in a mixing bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring an even flavor throughout the salad.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, drained black beans, and black-eyed peas. Toss gently to mix these foundational ingredients together.
- Add Vegetables and Protein: Incorporate the thawed corn, cooked and chopped turkey bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped avocado, diced red bell pepper, minced jalapeño, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro into the bowl with the lettuce and beans.
- Toss with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure the dressing coats all the components evenly without mashing the avocado.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the tossed salad onto a serving platter and garnish with the finely chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp textures and bold flavors.
Notes
- For added crunch, consider topping the salad with crushed tortilla chips or roasted pepitas.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute turkey bacon with smoked tempeh or omit it entirely.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours; avoid adding dressing until ready to serve to maintain crispness.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño to control spiciness according to your taste.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in the dressing.
