The Santa Fe salad is a southwestern-style salad that is typically made with chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and tomato.
This salad can be served as a main dish or as a side.
It is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck.
The Santa Fe salad is also great for meal prep.
You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to four days.
When it comes to dressing this salad, there are many options.
You can use a store-bought dressing or you can make your own.
Some of our favorite dressings for the Santa Fe salad include ranch, Italian, Caesar, and honey mustard.
We also like to add a little bit of spice with dressings like chipotle ranch or southwest ranch.
If you are looking for a lighter dressing, you can use vinaigrettes or citrus-based dressings.
Some of our favorites include lime vinaigrette, orange vinaigrette, and grapefruit vinaigrette.
You can also use fruit juices as a dressing.
We like to use mango juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice.
No matter what dressing you choose, the Santa Fe salad is sure to be a hit!
Why Consider Adding Dressing on Santa Fe Salad?
Santa Fe salad is a popular dish that can be made in a variety of ways.
One way to make it is to include all of the traditional ingredients, but adding dressing at the end makes it an interesting and unique dish.
Another way to make Santa Fe salad is to omit some of the traditional ingredients and add dressing at the beginning.
Adding dressing on Santa Fe salad allows you to customize it to your own taste.
Dressing on Santa Fe salad also helps to improve the flavor and texture of the salad.
There are many different types of dressings that can be used, so it’s important to experiment and find what you like best.
What Dressing Goes on Santa Fe Salad?
There are many different dressings that would go well on a Santa Fe salad. Some popular choices include ranch dressing, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. You could also try something more unique, like a honey mustard dressing or an avocado-lime dressing. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference and what other ingredients are in the salad.
For more options, keep scrolling!
1. Ranch Dressing
Everybody and their mother knows this dressing is amazing on Santa Fe Salad.
It’s the perfect balance of creaminess and zestiness that takes the dish to the next level.
But if you really want to make your Santa Fe Salad pop, here are some other ingredients you can add:
- diced avocado
- black beans
- corn
- grilled chicken
And if you want to take your dressing game up a notch, here are some tips:
- Use buttermilk in place of regular milk for a tangier flavor
- Add some chopped cilantro for a fresh twist
- Use lime juice instead of lemon juice
2. Caesar Dressing
This is another popular salad dressing that can be used on Santa Fe salads.
It is a Caesar dressing which gives the salad a nice zesty flavor.
You can add other ingredients to the salad such as croutons, Parmesan cheese, and bacon bits.
This dressing goes well with those ingredients.
You can also add grilled chicken to the salad for some extra protein.
If you are looking for a healthier option, you can use a light Caesar dressing.
3. Blue Cheese Dressing
If you’re feeling bold, try a blue cheese dressing on your salad.
The sharp, tangy flavor of the blue cheese will add a delicious depth of flavor to the dish.
You can also add other ingredients to the salad to complement the dressing, such as bacon, diced tomatoes, or crumbled cheese.
For a truly unique salad, try pairing the blue cheese dressing with a sweet fruit like strawberries or raspberries.
Trust us, it’s a flavor combination you won’t soon forget!
4. Honey Mustard Dressing
Not as strong as blue cheese dressing, honey mustard dressing is a great way to add flavor to your Santa Fe salad without overpowering the other ingredients.
Try adding some diced avocado, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro to your salad for a bit of texture and extra flavor.
If you want a bit more of a kick, you can add some diced jalapeño pepper to the mix.
For a creamier dressing, add in some sour cream or plain yogurt.
And, of course, don’t forget the honey!
A tablespoon or two of honey will give the dressing a nice sweetness that compliments the other flavors nicely.
5. Balsamic Vinaigrette
Known for its slightly sweet and tangy flavor, balsamic vinaigrette is a popular dressing choice for a salad.
Its bold flavor pairs well with the hearty ingredients in the salad, such as beans, corn, and avocado.
To make the dressing, simply whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
You can also add in other herbs and spices to taste. If you find the dressing too tart, you can add a bit of honey or agave nectar to balance it out.
6. Italian Dressing
This dressing is all about the zesty, herby flavors of oregano, garlic, and red wine vinegar.
It’s the perfect complement to the hearty ingredients in a Santa Fe salad, like black beans, corn, and avocado.
And it’s easy to whip up, too – just whisk all the ingredients together and you’re good to go.
If you want to take your Italian dressing to the next level, try adding a bit of grated Parmesan cheese.
It adds a nice depth of flavor to the dressing and takes it from good to great.
Another tip is to let the dressing sit for a few minutes before serving, so that the flavors have a chance to meld together.
This is one dressing that is definitely worth taking the time to make right.
7. Creamy Southwest Dressing
Yes, this dressing is perfect for your salad!
The creamy southwest dressing is a great way to add flavor to your dish.
Other ingredients you could add to this salad include: black beans, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, and shredded cheese.
This dressing is also great for dipping!
If you want to make this dressing even better, try adding some diced avocado or a dollop of sour cream.
8. Avocado Dressing
This dressing has increased in popularity in recent years due to its creamy, rich texture and flavor.
It is made from blending avocado, lime juice, olive oil, and often cilantro, garlic, and salt.
This dressing can add a delicious creaminess and depth of flavor to any Santa Fe salad.
Other ingredients you could add to your salad include: black beans, grilled chicken, corn, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
For a lighter version of this dressing, you could swap out the olive oil for avocado oil.
If you want a bit more of a tang, you could add more lime juice.
And for a bit of spice, you could add some diced jalapeño peppers.
9. Cilantro Lime Dressing
If you’re looking for a fresh, flavorful dressing to add to your Santa Fe salad, look no further than cilantro lime dressing!
This dressing has a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in the salad.
Plus, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences.
To make cilantro lime dressing, simply combine fresh cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and salt in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
You can also add a bit of honey or agave nectar to sweeten the dressing, if desired.
Once made, this dressing will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
When adding cilantro lime dressing to your Santa Fe salad, feel free to get creative with the other ingredients.
In addition to the typical lettuce, tomatoes, and beans, you could also add in some grilled chicken, avocado, corn, and cheese.
The possibilities are endless!
Just be sure to taste the salad before dressing it, so you can adjust the seasoning as needed.
10. Salsa
This delicious and somewhat spicy salsa dressing is the perfect addition to any Santa Fe salad.
It adds a zesty flavor to the dish, and goes well with other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
If you want to make it even spicier, you can add some jalapeno peppers or hot sauce.
This dressing is also great on tacos or burritos.
To make it, simply combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!
What Dressing Goes on Santa Fe Salad? (10 Dressings)
Ingredients
- Ranch Dressing
- Caesar Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Italian Dressing
- Creamy Southwest Dressing
- Avocado Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Salsa
Instructions
- Pick your favorite dressing from this list to use on your tasty salad.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Enjoy in no time!