Easy make ahead Mexican salad with ranch - tasty party appetizer, lunch salad or football recipes

black beans

🥗Healthier: kidney beans

💰Cheaper: canned pinto beans

Kidney beans offer similar nutrition with a different flavor.

avocado

🥗Healthier: mashed peas

💰Cheaper: apple sauce

Mashed peas provide creaminess with fewer calories.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: feta cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Feta adds tanginess with lower fat content.

tortilla chips

🥗Healthier: baked pita chips

💰Cheaper: crackers

Baked pita chips are lower in fat and calories.

Take out the frozen corn and let it thaw in a strainer.

Slice smoked mozzarella into bite-sized chunks.

Strain and wash the black beans to get rid of excess juice.

Cut off as much of the cilantro stems as possible and loosely dice the cilantro.

Cut larger tomatoes in half or quarters, hollow them out, and dice them into chunks.

Dice red onion and red pepper into bite-sized chunks.

Add all the diced vegetables into a large bowl.

Hold the cilantro and ranch dressing until the end.

Stir all the colorful ingredients together.

Add ranch dressing one or two tablespoons at a time, mixing well.

Add cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens