Name: Copycat McDonald's Southwest Salad
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 0.5 cup reduced-fat sour cream; 3 tablespoons salsa; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 0.75 teaspoon ground cumin; 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.25 teaspoon onion powder; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon ground pepper; 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce; 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes; 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken; 1 cup corn kernels; 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed; 0.33 cup slivered red onion; 0.25 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese; Lime wedges for serving (optional)

Copycat McDonald's Southwest Salad

5.0

(4)

2 Reviews

If you were a fan of the McDonald's Southwest Salad before it left the menu, this copycat recipe brings it all back with a few healthy twists. The creamy dressing keeps saturated fat and calories in check with reduced-fat sour cream combined with salsa to give it its signature spice. We loaded it up with plenty of veggies, but feel free to give it your own spin with chopped avocado or crushed tortilla chips for crunch. (Editor's note: The title of this recipe does not align with EatingWell's practices for naming and attributing recipes but gives proper credit to McDonald's menu, which called this dish "Southwest Salad.")

Carolyn Casner

Updated on September 18, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Tested by

Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

" tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> EatingWell Test Kitchen

Ingredients

½ cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons salsa
1 tablespoon lime juice
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed
⅓ cup slivered red onion
¼ cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
Lime wedges for serving (optional)

Directions

Whisk sour cream, salsa, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
Add lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, corn, black beans and onion; toss to coat well. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

To make ahead

Refrigerate dressing (Step 1) for up to 3 days.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

277	Calories
9g	Fat
25g	Carbs
26g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 2 1/4 cups
Calories 277
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 25g	9%
Dietary Fiber 7g	25%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 26g	52%
Total Fat 9g	12%
Saturated Fat 4g	20%
Cholesterol 66mg	22%
Vitamin A 7088IU	142%
Vitamin C 19mg	21%
Vitamin D 6IU	2%
Vitamin E 1mg	4%
Folate 161mcg	40%
Vitamin K 79mcg	66%
Sodium 417mg	18%
Calcium 152mg	12%
Iron 3mg	17%
Magnesium 55mg	13%
Potassium 844mg	18%
Zinc 2mg	18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Copycat McDonald's Southwest Salad

Ingredients

Directions

To make ahead

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Related Articles