Description
Get ready for a bold, smoky, and delightfully crunchy side dish that’ll make every BBQ plate instantly more exciting. Frito Cowboy Cabbage takes the humble coleslaw and cranks it up with black beans, corn, peppers, zesty lime, and an irresistibly creamy chipotle dressing — all finished off with that salty, addictive Frito crunch on top. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast, so maybe make a double batch (just sayin’).
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 bag (16 oz) coleslaw mix (green & purple cabbage with carrots — perfect shortcut)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups canned corn kernels, drained
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (add more if you love spice)
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 bag (9.75 oz) Chili Cheese Fritos (keep a small handful aside for garnish)
For the Chipotle Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 juicy limes)
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo — just the sauce, not the peppers)
Instructions
-
Combine the salad base:
In a big mixing bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, diced jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and cumin. Mix until everything looks evenly coated and colorful. -
Whip up the dressing:
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayo, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the mixture is creamy and smooth. (It should be tangy, smoky, and slightly spicy — basically irresistible.) -
Dress it up:
Pour the chipotle dressing over the coleslaw mixture and toss gently until all the veggies are evenly coated. -
Add the crunch:
Stir in most of the Fritos, saving a small handful for garnish. (Mixing them in now keeps that perfect balance of creamy and crunchy.) -
Finish & serve:
Right before serving, sprinkle the reserved Fritos on top for that final crunchy flourish. Serve immediately and watch it disappear.
Notes
- Keep it crisp: Add Fritos just before serving to prevent them from going soggy.
- Spice control: Want more heat? Leave some jalapeño seeds in or add an extra spoonful of chipotle sauce.
- Make-ahead option: Mix the salad and dressing separately up to a day ahead. Combine and top with Fritos right before serving.
- Serving idea: This salad is awesome next to grilled chicken, tacos, or burgers — it’s the kind of side that can totally steal the spotlight.
This reimagined Cowboy Cabbage brings together everything you love about classic coleslaw and Tex-Mex flavor in one crunchy, creamy bite. Whether it’s for your next cookout, game day spread, or just an excuse to use up that bag of Fritos hiding in your pantry, this dish is a total crowd-pleaser!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1portion
- Calories: 299kcal