Description
Zesty Grilled Cactus Salad is a flavorful, nutrient-rich dish that features grilled nopales (cactus paddles) combined with colorful vegetables and a tangy lime-soy dressing. This refreshing salad celebrates Mexican flavors and is perfect as a side, appetizer, or light vegetarian main.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 whole nopales (cactus paddles)
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 3 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
- 1 medium avocado, chopped
- 2.25 ounces olives, sliced
- 2 limes (for juice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning sauce
- Kosher salt as needed
Instructions
- Remove any spines on the nopales by running a sharp paring knife against the grain of the spines
- Slice and score the nopales, keeping base intact for easier handling
- Generously sprinkle nopales and bell pepper with salt
- Cook nopales and bell pepper on a griddle pan or grill on medium-high for 4 to 5 minutes per side
- Remove from heat and let cool completely
- In a large bowl combine tomato, onion, jalapeño, avocado, and olive slices
- Chop roasted bell peppers and cut nopales into strips and add to the bowl
- In a small bowl combine lime juice, soy sauce, olive oil, Maggi seasoning sauce, and salt
- Drizzle dressing over salad and lightly toss
- Serve salad slightly chilled
Notes
- Always handle cactus paddles with tongs or gloves to avoid any remaining spines
- Don’t skip the salting step – it helps draw out excess moisture from the cactus
- Grill the cactus until slightly charred for the best flavor and texture
- Let the grilled vegetables cool completely before adding to prevent wilting other ingredients
- Add avocado just before serving to maintain its color and texture
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Appetizer, Side
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: grilled cactus recipe, nopales salad, Mexican vegetarian salad, healthy cactus dish, plant-based Mexican salad, zesty lime cactus