This Fresco Salad is Mexican-style, with spring mix, Queso fresco(Mexican cheese), and homemade mustard vinaigrette. The spring mix and the hot mustard vinaigrette complement each other, making the salad delicious.
This summer salad(try more flavorful salad recipes) is effortless and perfect 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.
How We Came Up With This Recipe?
This Fresco salad can also be made with fresh cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes. The choice of vegetables is up to you. But today, I'm just making something similar to what I had in our favorite Chili's restaurant.
But I regretted not having made it earlier when I tried it at home for the first time. It is so much easier and quicker to make, and most importantly, my entire home liked it.
I want to disclose that this Fresco salad is not a copycat recipe from a Chili's restaurant but a similar one with bold flavors.
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 impressing 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, cumin powder, salt, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and lime juice.
How To Make Fresco Salad?
- Combine minced garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, cumin powder, salt, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and lime juice in a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Add the spring mix greens in a large bowl. Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco on top.
- Pour the prepared mustard vinaigrette over the top. Toss the salad gently and serve it immediately.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat?
- Adjust the quantity of the jalapeno peppers.
- Remove the white membrane(that holds the seeds) and the seeds.
- Wear gloves while handling the jalapeno to avoid skin irritations.
Leftovers
The spring mix greens are tender and soft, so they cannot hold the vinaigrette longer. Hence, serve immediately after making it.
However, you can store the leftover vinaigrette separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Variations
- You can add garden-fresh vegetables like diced carrots, tomatoes, and onions.
- I would suggest adding fresh garlic to give you a wholesome, bold flavor of the garlic. But it can be substituted with garlic powder.
- Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to make a creamy mustard vinaigrette.
- Or try this chili lime vinaigrette.
FAQ
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.
This is a Mexican-style fresh cheese. It is creamy and mild, made with milk and a lemon mixture.
To make, bring milk to a boil and add two tablespoons of lemon juice/vinegar. The milk will start cuddling. Then strain it, and this cuddled milk crumbles the cheese you need to make the salad.
More Salad Recipes
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
Ingredients
For the mustard vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno minced
- 1 tablespoon cilantro minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 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
- In a small mixing bowl add minced garlic, minced jalapeno, minced cilantro, cumin powder, salt, dijon mustard, olive oil, lime juice, and salt.
- Whisk until it turns into a smooth consistency. Keep aside.
For the salad
- In a mixing bowl, add spring mix greens, the mustard vinaigrette.
- Toss gently until the vinaigrette coats evenly.
- Sprinkle queso fresco and serve immediately.
Tracy says
What a great salad! That vinaigrette is perfection - thank you!
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Thank you Tracy, glad you liked this salad.
Dannii says
You can't beat a simple green salad. The dressing sounds amazing.
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Thank you Dannii for sharing your thoughts!
Mahy says
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!
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Thank you Mahy. And as you said, perfect for summer and all the other season.
Valerie says
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. 😉
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Valerie, It is not that hard to find, my local store does carry it. May be your one too, check it out.