Raw Nopales Salad

This easy-to-make Raw Nopales Salad has become very popular in Mexico. Cactus Paddles are usually called “Nopales” or “Nopalitos” in Mexico, and we use them in salads, stews, soups, and even in drinks (you can also grill them). It’s a healthy and nutritious source of fiber.

Course Salads

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword raw nopales salad

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 153kcal

Author Mely Martínez

Ingredients

2 Large Nopales spines removed. (About 2 cups once chopped)
2 tbsp. salt
1 large tomato ⅓ cup, diced
½ medium size white onion chopped (⅓ cup)
1 Serrano pepper 1½ tbsp.
2 Cilantro sprigs chopped (3 tbsp.)
1 lime
2 tbsp. olive oil
⅓ teaspoon Mexican oregano optional
⅓ cup Queso Fresco crumbled
½ avocado diced or sliced

Instructions

Prep de Nopales:

Chop the nopales into small pieces, and place them in a medium-sized bowl, stirring in the salt.
Using your hands, gently squeeze and mix the nopales, making sure that all the nopalitos (pieces of nopales) are well covered with salt. This step will release the viscous liquid (baba) from the nopales.
Note: You will start to see that it also forms some bubbles. Continue this process for 4-5 minutes, then set the bowl aside and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Chop the vegetables:

Meanwhile, with a sharp knife chop the tomato, onion, serrano pepper, and cilantro.
After 20 minutes of resting, place the nopalitos in a strainer to drain all the liquid they have released. Rinse under running water to remove the viscous liquid. Shake the strainer to make sure that you remove as much water as possible.
Place the drained nopales in a medium-sized bowl, then stir in the chopped tomatoes, onion, serrano pepper, and cilantro.

Make the dressing and mix:

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, olive oil, black pepper, and oregano. Mix together, then drizzle the dressing over the nopales salad.
Top the raw nopales salad with the crumbled Queso Fresco and the avocado. Serve in small bowls, and enjoy!

Notes

One delicious addition to this salad, believe it or not, is diced mango. If you use it, add it when you combine the vegetables.
You can also use crunchy pieces of Chicharrones to top the salad at serving time.
Other garnishes for this healthy salad are prickly pear cactus (tuna) or feta cheese.

Nutrition