Layered Mexican Crunch Salad
Brighten up your next gathering with this vibrant Layered Mexican Crunch Salad! Bursting with fresh flavors and colors, this layered dish offers a delightful combination of crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy snow peas, and the sweetness of corn, all brought together by creamy seasoned dressing. Perfect for potlucks or family dinners, this salad not only looks stunning when layered in a clear bowl, but it's also versatile - feel free to interchange vegetables based on your preferences or what's available in your pantry. Serve it up to impress your guests with this delicious, crowd-pleasing salad that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
500
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine Lettuce
2 cups (Wash and chop into bite-sized pieces.)
Bean Sprouts
1 cup (Rinse thoroughly.)
Yellow Pepper
1/2 cup (Diced.)
Snow Peas
1-2 cups (Chopped.)
Tomatoes
3 (Seeded and diced.)
Sweet Whole Kernel Corn
310 g (Drained.)
Hard-Boiled Eggs
4 (Sliced, with garlic salt sprinkled.)
Mexican Style Beans
420 g (Drained.)
Sour Cream
1 cup (None.)
Mayonnaise
1 cup (None.)
Garlic Clove
1 (Minced.)
Taco Seasoning
35 g (Dry mix.)
Cheddar Cheese
1 1/2 cups (Shredded.)
Spring Onion
1 cup (Sliced.)
Cooked Bacon Bits
1/2 cup (Crumble.)
Jalapeno
to taste (Sliced, optional.)
Spanish Black Olives
to taste (Sliced, optional.)
Instructions
1
Start by lightly packing the romaine lettuce as the base layer in a large glass bowl, ensuring it covers the bottom evenly.
2
Next, layer the bean sprouts evenly on top of the lettuce, followed by the diced yellow pepper and chopped snow peas for added crunch.
3
Gently add the diced tomatoes and drained sweet corn to create another colorful layer.
4
Slice the hard-boiled eggs and layer them on top, sprinkling a little garlic salt for added flavor.
5
Layer the drained Mexican-style beans evenly on top of the eggs.
6
In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and taco seasoning until well mixed. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the top of the layered vegetables, reaching all the way to the edges to seal in the ingredients.
7
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese generously over the creamy layer.
8
Finish off by adding the cooked bacon bits and sliced green onions. If desired, add sliced jalapeños and Spanish black olives for an extra kick and flavor.
9
Serve immediately or refrigerate before serving for flavors to meld. Enjoy the delightful crunch!
Nutrition Information
35g
Fat
40g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Layered Mexican Crunch Salad?
It is a vibrant, multi-layered dish featuring fresh vegetables like romaine lettuce and snow peas, beans, eggs, and a creamy taco-flavored dressing.
How should I layer the romaine lettuce?
Lightly pack the chopped romaine lettuce as the base layer at the bottom of a large glass bowl to ensure an even foundation.
Can I customize the vegetables in this salad?
Yes, you can interchange vegetables based on your personal preferences or what you have available in your pantry.
What makes the salad crunchy?
The crunch comes from a combination of crisp romaine lettuce, fresh bean sprouts, diced yellow pepper, and chopped snow peas.
How do I prepare the creamy dressing?
In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of sour cream, 1 cup of mayonnaise, minced garlic, and 35g of taco seasoning until well mixed.
Is this salad suitable for a potluck?
Absolutely, it is a crowd-pleasing dish that looks stunning when presented in a clear bowl and is easy to prepare for gatherings.
How many calories are in a serving of this salad?
The salad contains approximately 500 calories per serving.
Does the recipe include bacon?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of crumbled cooked bacon bits as a topping.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, simply omit the bacon bits; the rest of the ingredients are vegetable, dairy, or egg-based.
What type of beans are recommended?
The recipe calls for 420g of Mexican-style beans, which should be thoroughly drained before layering.
How should I prepare the eggs?
Boil 4 eggs until hard, slice them, and sprinkle them with a little garlic salt for added flavor before layering.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe suggests using 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese sprinkled generously over the dressing layer.
Can I make the salad spicy?
Yes, you can add sliced jalapeños to taste for an extra kick of heat.
How do I seal the ingredients with the dressing?
Spread the dressing mixture evenly over the vegetables, ensuring it reaches all the way to the edges of the glass bowl.
What type of pepper is used in the crunch layer?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of diced yellow pepper for color and crunch.
Do I need to drain the corn?
Yes, ensure that the 310g of sweet whole kernel corn is fully drained to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients listed, including optional items like jalapeños and olives.
Is there fresh garlic in the salad?
Yes, the dressing includes one minced garlic clove for a sharp, savory flavor.
Should I serve the salad immediately?
You can serve it immediately, but refrigerating it for a short time allows the flavors to meld together.
Are olives included in the recipe?
Sliced Spanish black olives are listed as an optional topping to add extra flavor.
What is the fat content of this salad?
The salad contains 35g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content?
Each serving provides 15g of protein.
How should I prepare the snow peas?
The snow peas should be washed and then chopped into smaller pieces before being layered.
What provides the sweetness in the salad?
The sweetness comes from the layer of sweet whole kernel corn.
Are there bean sprouts in this Mexican salad?
Yes, one cup of thoroughly rinsed bean sprouts is added as the second layer.
What kind of onions are used for garnish?
The salad is finished with one cup of sliced spring onions (also known as green onions).
How much taco seasoning is required?
You will need 35g of dry taco seasoning mix for the dressing.
Should the tomatoes be seeded?
Yes, the 3 tomatoes should be seeded and diced to keep the salad from getting too soggy.
Why is a glass bowl recommended?
A large clear glass bowl is recommended so that the colorful and distinct layers are visible to guests.