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You are here: Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Nopales Asados a la Plancha

Published: Jul 6, 2012 · Updated: Aug 22, 2019 by Mely Martínez

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Nopales and Diabetes: How does it help?

Grilled Cactus - Nopales Asados are a quick option for a meatless meal, top with a fresh Pico de gallo Salsa and your dinner is ready in minutes.
Studies have been done for years about the benefits of Nopales but must of them are published in Spanish. Still, there needs to be more done to have effective scientific evidence of its long-term effect.

Grilled Cactus-Nopales | Nopales Asados a la Plancha

Grilled Cactus


In México it’s a popular belief that if you drink a Nopal-fruit juice drink first thing in the morning you will lower your glucose levels. Of course, the industry has taken advantage of this alternative to sell powders, bottled drinks, and pills since the people have not to doubt about its benefits and that it actually works for them. Nopales are also rich in calcium and high in fiber.

Nopales asados

This is a cooking blog, I know that, but from time to time I receive emails from people asking me about other ways to cook nopales because they are eating them for medicinal reasons to lower their glucose levels. Like the email, I received from Maria C., where she says that a lovely old lady told her to eat grilled nopales first thing in the morning when she was told by her doctor that she had diabetes type 2. That was 5 years ago and she is doing great now. Thank you, Maria, for sharing your story with me.

It is not my intention to entertain you with all the details about the medical benefits of this cactus plant, but If you would like to learn more about the Nopales and diabetes studies, here is a series of links to research made by several Universities and well renowned Medical Institutions. They are in Spanish, please use your online translator.
Universidad Nacional de México, Mexican Institute of Health, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad de Querétaro, Hospital IMSS de la Raza.

If you have never eaten nopales before, try adding them to stews like any other vegetable, made them with scrambled eggs for breakfast, stuffed with cheese and then covered with an egg batter and fry, they have a mild flavor that you will get used to enjoying it. Like this simple recipe that can also be prepared when grilling outside with your barbecue grill along with your steak as we do in some states in México. One nopal will be just enough for one person.

How to make Nopales Asados a la Plancha

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Instructions:

grilled cactus - Nopales asados 1

1. Warm your griddle or cast iron grill. Brush the oil on each side of the nopal.

Grilled Cactus - Nopales Asados 2

2. Place the nopalitos on your griddle and cook over medium heat turning until tender, about 8 minutes.

Grilled Cactus - Nopales asados

3. If using a cast iron grill cook until marked and tender. Just before serving top with the slice of cheese to melt. Season with salt and pepper.

Nopales with cheese

Serve with a fresh salsa and warm tortillas. A healthy, low-calorie dinner or lunch.
Enjoy!

Other recipes with Nopales: How to cook Nopales, Nopales with Eggs, Cactus Salad, and Nopales with Chorizo.

¡Buen provecho!

Mely,

Grilled Cactus Nopales

Mely Martínez
Grilled Cactus - Nopales Asados are a quick option for a meatless meal, top with a fresh Pico de gallo Salsa and your dinner is ready in minutes. Studies have been done for years about the benefits of Nopales but must of them are published in Spanish. Still.
4.5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
0 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Basic Recipes
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2
Calories 64 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium size nopales needles removed
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 slices of you favorite melting cheese optional

Instructions
 

  • Warm your griddle or cast iron pan
    Brush the oil on each side of the nopal.
  • Place the nopales on your griddle and cook over medium-heat turning until tender, about 8 minutes.
  • If using a cast iron grill cook until marked and tender. Just before serving top with the slice of cheese to melt. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with a fresh salsa and warm tortillas. A healthy, low-calorie dinner or lunch.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Grilled NopalCalories: 64kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 125mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robert Morrow

      July 10, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      We live in south/eastern New Mexico and have Nopales grow in are yard. The are good like the Recipes, but also the fruit is great too. Taught some cooking classes for a non-profit people and taught how to prepare and cook Nopales.

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        July 11, 2021 at 12:28 pm

        Hello Robert,
        That is so good that you are sharing about Nopales. They are so versatile, we always have them handy in our kitchen.

        Reply
    2. Gene Ware

      January 16, 2019 at 6:46 pm

      4 stars
      Really enjoy your posts and recipes. The few I’ve made have been delicious. Do you have tips for cooking nopales, especially whole paddles, to minimize the “goo”?

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        January 16, 2019 at 7:34 pm

        Hello Gene,
        Please check the following link in how to cook Nopales. http://bit.ly/2YiY48y

        Reply
    3. Latricia Constantino

      March 20, 2017 at 1:38 am

      Hi I am looking for recipes to make nopales for a side or along with a main dish. I love trying new things! I have only had them with pico and I would live to learn different ways of making them please! Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Mamcita3b1g

      January 26, 2014 at 3:11 am

      Mely,
      Can you tell me where to get these?
      ~Angelina 🙂

      Reply
      • Mely

        January 27, 2014 at 12:00 am

        Hello Angelina,

        If you do not have a Latin Store close to where you live, you can buy them online fresh. Look for Cactus Leaves.

        Reply
    5. Elizabeth Diaz

      June 16, 2013 at 5:20 am

      Mely,

      That is exactly how we eat Nopales in my family. My parents are from Zacatecas y somos muy nopaleros! Have you tried raw Nopales picados in pico de gallo with lime juice drizzled on top? It's absolutely delicious and refreshing. I love making them cuando asamos carne! Yum!

      Lisa Diaz

      Reply
      • Mely

        June 18, 2013 at 1:29 am

        Hello Elizabeth,

        I heard about the raw nopales pico de gallo. I will have to try it.
        Thanks for the tip.

        Mely

        Reply
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    Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

    Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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