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Home / Recipes / Salad Recipes

Fresco Salad Recipe

Published: Sep 12, 2018 · Modified: Jun 5, 2025 by Sujatha Muralidhar · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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fresco salad recipe

Today, we’re making a fresh and flavorful Fresco Salad, welcome to our zesty kitchen! With just eight ingredients and 10 minutes, this crisp salad is ready with a spicy mustard vinaigrette that is light and delicious. Let’s get started!

Freshly prepared Fresco Salad, garnished with crumbled queso fresco.

I missed Chili’s Fresco Salad since it’s no longer on the menu, so I returned it to my kitchen! I loved how this homemade version turned out; even my family gave it a big thumbs up with happy faces!

This summer salad(try more flavorful salad recipes) is light, fresh, effortless, and perfect to relish with grilled meat or barbecues; the vinaigrette is the only preparation needed.

The good news is that this vinaigrette can be made up to 2 days in advance, so you don't need to stress much about the preparation. Simply toss the spring mix into our flavorful mustard+jalapeno vinaigrette, and enjoy!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Fresco Salad
  • ♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
  • The Leftovers
  • FAQ
  • More Salad Recipes To Try
  • 📖 Recipe
A close-up of a bowl of Fresco Salad, featuring vibrant greens, crumbled queso fresco, and a drizzle of mustard vinaigrette.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

⭐️It's a seasonal must-try recipe.

⭐️Perfect for potlucks or lazy weeknight dinners.

⭐️Easy to make and perfect for the whole family.

Ingredients

  • Spring mix: I usually go with Costco's big bag of spring mixes, which are crispy and great in taste. The spring mixes look great with the multiple colors and layers. This is the most important and main Ingredient, so make sure it is fresh and crisp.
  • Queso Fresco cheese: It's available in most grocery stores, like Walmart, but you can make your own(see FAQ below).
  • Mustard vinaigrette: You need minced garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, ground cumin, salt, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and lime juice.

How To Make Fresco Salad

Ingredients for the mustard vinaigrette laid out, including minced garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, Dijon mustard, and lime.
  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, ground cumin, salt, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and lime juice.
Whisking the mustard vinaigrette in a small mixing bowl until smooth.
  1. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
Tossing the spring mix greens with fresco cheese in a large bowl.
  1. Add the spring mix greens in a large bowl. Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco on top.
Adding vinaigrette over the salad
  1. Pour the prepared mustard vinaigrette over the top. Toss the salad gently and serve it immediately.

♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level

  • This fresco salad tastes with gentle heat, mainly from the jalapeno peppers, and a warmth from ground cumin, garlic, and the Dijon mustard.
  • Adjust the quantity of the jalapeno peppers to reduce the heat. Also, remove the white membrane(that holds the seeds) and the seeds.
  • To increase the heat, stir in minced jalapeno or crushed red pepper flakes.

The Leftovers

This fresco salad is best served fresh. The spring mix greens are tender and soft, so they cannot hold the vinaigrette for long.

However, you can store the leftover vinaigrette separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

FAQ

What is Fresco salad?

It's a famous Southern salad influenced by Mexican cuisine. It is a light, refreshing salad with spring mix or romaine tossed in a tangy mustard vinaigrette.

What is Queso fresco?

This is a Mexican-style fresh cheese. It is creamy and mild, made with milk and a lemon mixture. Most stores in the States carry it; look out in the dairy aisle.

What variations can I try?

Add fresh veggies like diced carrots, tomatoes, and onions. Use fresh garlic for bold flavor or substitute garlic powder. Mix mayonnaise for a creamy vinaigrette or try chili lime vinaigrette.

More Salad Recipes To Try

  • Indian chickpea salad in a plate garnished with mint leaves.
    Indian Chickpea Salad
  • spicy kani salad served in a bowl with fork.
    Spicy Kani Salad
  • spicy Caesar salad tossed in a homemade spicy salad dressing with jalapeno and crushed red peppers.
    Spicy Caesar Salad
  • indian cucumber salad is ready and serve in a bowl
    Indian Cucumber Salad

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.

📖 Recipe

fresco salad served in a bowl for the dinner

Fresco Salad Recipe

Fresh and flavorful Fresco Salad is made with a zesty mustard vinaigrette, crisp spring mix. It's light, easy, and perfect for summer meals.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 servings
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Ingredients

For the mustard vinaigrette

  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno minced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 4 tablespoon lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or as required

For the salad

  • 3 cups spring mix greens
  • 2 tablespoon queso fresco

Instructions

For the mustard vinaigrette

  1. In a small mixing bowl add minced garlic, minced jalapeno, minced cilantro, ground cumin, salt, Dijon mustard, olive oil, lime juice, and salt.
  2. Whisk until it turns into a smooth consistency. Keep aside.

For the salad

  1. In a mixing bowl, add spring mix greens, the mustard vinaigrette.
  2. Toss gently until the vinaigrette coats evenly.
  3. Sprinkle queso fresco and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Adjust the heat level by modifying the jalapeño quantity or removing the seeds and membrane for a milder taste.
  • The delicate spring mix wilts quickly when dressed, so it is best enjoyed fresh. Pair it with grilled meats or barbecues for a complete meal.
  • Leftover vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble the salad fresh before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 537mg | Potassium: 205mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 33.1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Additional Info

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Author Sujatha Muralidhar
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Comments

    5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Tracy says

    May 20, 2020 at 1:20 am

    What a great salad! That vinaigrette is perfection - thank you!

    Reply
    • Sujatha Muralidhar says

      May 20, 2020 at 7:20 am

      Thank you Tracy, glad you liked this salad.

      Reply
  2. Dannii says

    May 20, 2020 at 2:37 am

    You can't beat a simple green salad. The dressing sounds amazing.

    Reply
    • Sujatha Muralidhar says

      May 20, 2020 at 7:22 am

      Thank you Dannii for sharing your thoughts!

      Reply
  3. Mahy says

    May 20, 2020 at 7:50 am

    Healthy and delicious salad that is just what I have been looking for. Perfect for hot days and great any time of the year really!

    Reply
    • Sujatha Muralidhar says

      May 20, 2020 at 11:41 am

      Thank you Mahy. And as you said, perfect for summer and all the other season.

      Reply
  4. Valerie says

    May 30, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    My husband loves salads. This vinaigrette sounds super flavorful. The only challenge I see to making this salad is that I love queso cheese, it might not make it in. 😉

    Reply
    • Sujatha Muralidhar says

      May 31, 2020 at 7:11 am

      Valerie, It is not that hard to find, my local store does carry it. May be your one too, check it out.

      Reply
The author image of the food blog pepperbowl.com

Hi, I'm Suja! I'm the person behind PEPPER BOWL, based in Pennsylvania. I focus on easy, simple-to-make recipes inspired by rich flavors with a hint of heat. I enjoy simplifying recipes with minimal ingredients to suit today's busy lifestyle.

More about me →

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