If you have good ingredients in a salad, you don’t even need dressing.
Bottom layer: tortilla chips (if you can find flavored ones, do it)
The Better Chip makes four different flavored tortilla chips that are gluten free and non GMO. My favorite is the red pepper & salsa fresca – it tastes spicy and salty and fresh – so good! Kyle loves the sweet onion (it has white cheddar so it’s not lactose free).
Middle layers: veggies (romaine lettuce, tomatoes, corn, avocado)
The avocado is key in this layer, so don’t skimp.
Top layer: protein (beans & hummus)
The kind of hummus you use is up to you – roasted red pepper or garlic will be great, but plain is still totally acceptable.
I happened to have Sabra’s SOUTHWEST garden hummus on hand, which added the perfect flavor profile to the Tex-Mex salad. Win!
I also heated the vegetarian refried beans on the stove top so they were more liquidy and coated the salad perfectly when tossed, but black beans, or cold pinto beans will be great too.
Optional toppings: salsa, cheese, cilantro to garnish
Enjoy!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great minds think alike. My obsession lately has been huge salads with hummus as the “dressing.” I never use regular dressing anyway, but I’m pretty much going to turn into a chickpea at this point. Or an avocado. Either way, I’m think I’m okay with that.
I have a can of Amy’s Refried Beans just waiting to help me make this! YUM.
I’ve been eating big salads with a ridiculous amount of hummus on top everyday!! Can’t ever get enough
This looks amazing! I think subbing beans and hummus for dressing is a great idea. This looks so good and easy! And it doesn’t even look like you need utensils x) hehehe
we make the same exact thing and call it taco salad
it’s good w/ some greek yogurt on top too! miss you! xxxx
Ah, this looks awesome. I never use regular dressing, its always some combo of nutritional yeast, avocado, greek yogurt, or something like that.
Now I need to pick up some refried beans!
Often times I’ll make a salad and top it with a soft-boiled egg — the runny yolk makes for a great dressing, super rich. It’s not vegan, but it sure is awesome!!
runny yolk as a sauce/dressing = amaze
that looks like one heck of a salad! yummo!
This sounds amazing! I love Mexican food and this healthy twist sounds delicious.
I totally agree! When you have fresh and unique salad items, it tastes amazing on its own. I love using salsa or guac as a salad dressing too!
splash of lime on there and that’s a go-to mexican meal for moi. i dig it!
now if only a B- were involved. ive been craving pumpkin beer like crazy now that theyre in wf.
I always use hummus or guacamole for dressing. I totally agree with you… if it’s packed with awesome ingredients, you can usually skip the dressing!
Nacho salad is good! Love it!