Nopales Salad

Name: Nopales Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned, diced; 2 roma tomatoes, diced; 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano; 1/4 cup queso fresco (or feta cheese), crumbled

A vibrant Mexican salad of cleaned cactus paddles tossed with tomato, onion, cilantro, and a tangy lime dressing - bright, earthy, and packed with fiber.

27 minMediumServes 480 cal/serving

MexicanSaladStovetopVegetarianMediterraneanLow CarbHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeSoy-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 lb fresh nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned, diced
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano
1/4 cup queso fresco (or feta cheese), crumbled

Instructions

1

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb cleaned, diced fresh nopales (cactus paddles) and cook until tender and no longer slimy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2

Pat the cooked nopales dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3

In a large bowl, combine the nopales, 2 diced roma tomatoes, 1/2 cup finely diced white onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
4

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano to make the dressing.
5

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6

Transfer to a serving platter and top with 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco (or feta cheese). Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Questions

Can I make Nopales Salad dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/4 cup queso fresco (or feta cheese), crumbled. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

How long does Nopales Salad keep?

Dressed, it is best the day it is made. Keep the components separate and refrigerated and they hold about two days; dress just before serving.

Can I halve or double Nopales Salad?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

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