Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

Introduction

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant and flavorful salad that combines crunchy coleslaw mix with zesty chipotle dressing and the irresistible crunch of Chili Cheese Fritos. This easy-to-make dish offers a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors—ideal for a quick lunch or a potluck favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping
• ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
• ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo (just the sauce, not the peppers)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and cumin. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
2. Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until smooth. This creates about 1 ¼ cups of chipotle dressing.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the coleslaw mixture and stir gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
4. Step 4: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad and mix carefully to combine.
5. Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining Fritos on top to add a final crunchy texture.
6. Step 6: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crisp freshness and crunch.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of jalapeño and chipotle sauce or remove the seeds completely.
• Add diced avocado for extra creaminess and a rich texture contrast.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter dressing option.
• Mix in cooked shredded chicken or grilled steak for a heartier meal.

Storage

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the Fritos’ crunch, keep them separate and add just before serving when reheating or serving again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing in advance, but keep the Fritos separate until just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy.

What can I use if I don’t have chipotle sauce?

You can substitute chipotle sauce with a mix of smoked paprika and a small amount of hot sauce for a similar smoky heat, or omit it for a milder dressing.

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 270 reviews

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant, crunchy salad that combines classic coleslaw mix with hearty black beans, sweet corn, and a zesty chipotle dressing. Topped with spicy Chili Cheese Fritos for a delightful crunch, this no-cook salad is perfect for quick lunches or a southwestern-inspired side dish.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Southwestern American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 green onions, finely sliced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, divided (reserve a handful for topping)

Dressing Ingredients

• ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
• ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo (only the sauce, not the peppers)

Instructions

1. Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the coleslaw mix, black beans, drained corn, finely diced jalapeño, red bell pepper, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss everything together thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices and vegetables.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This creates approximately 1 ¼ cups of creamy chipotle dressing.
3. Mix Dressing with Salad: Pour the prepared chipotle dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos into the salad and gently stir to coat the ingredients evenly, ensuring the flavors meld well without crushing the Fritos.
4. Add Fritos Topping: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Chili Cheese Fritos on top for added crunch and texture.
5. Serve Immediately: Present the Frito Cowboy Cabbage salad fresh to maintain the crispiness of the Fritos and the freshness of the vegetables.

Notes

• This salad is best served immediately after adding the Fritos to maintain their crunch.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of chipotle sauce to manage the spice level.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with vegan alternatives.
• If fresh lime juice is unavailable, bottled lime juice can be used, but fresh is preferred for best flavor.
• Reserved Fritos should be stored separately until ready to serve to prevent sogginess.

Keywords: Frito Cowboy Cabbage, coleslaw salad, chipotle dressing, southwestern salad, crunchy salad, Fritos salad, quick salad recipe