Best Cactus Salad Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium size mixing bowl, combine cactus, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Squeeze the juice from both lemons over the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with garlic salt (if you'd like) and serve.

ENSALADA DE NOPALES (MEXICAN CACTUS SALAD)

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Brush both sides of nopales with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the hot grill and cook, turning halfway through, until tender, 7 to 9 minutes. Remove from grill and let cool until safe to handle. Slice nopales into 1/2-inch strips.
• Layer tomatoes, serrano chiles, and onion on a serving plate. Place grilled nopales on top; drizzle with lime juice and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle cilantro and oregano on top. Add cotija cheese.
• Slice each avocado half while still in the skin; use a spoon to gently scoop sliced avocado onto the salad in a fan shape. Top with sesame seeds and additional salt and pepper.

CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill or broiler. Place cactus paddles in a bowl and toss with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Grill or broil the paddles until grill marks appear on each side, or they turn dark green with black patches, about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover and chill 2 to 4 hours or overnight. Cut cactus into 1/2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine the cactus, tomatoes, onions, chiles, cilantro and cheese with the remaining 1/2 cup oil, the vinegar, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Toss well. Serve on plates lined with lettuce leaves, and garnish with avocado slices sprinkled with cracked pepper garnish.
• In a small bowl, stir all the ingredients together. Spoon over vegetables or drizzle lightly over dressed salads as a garnish.

CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• 1. To prepare the nopales: If necessary, use a small sharp knife to remove any residual thorns or nodules from the cactus leaves. Bring 8 cups salted water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the nopales, onion, and garlic and reduce the heat to medium. Cook at a brisk simmer until the nopales are tender, about 6 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Discard the onion and garlic. Cut the nopales into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 2 1/2 inches long. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
• 2. To make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil. Season with salt.
• 3. Mix the nopales, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro in a medium bowl. Add as much dressing as you like (refrigerate any remaining dressing for another use) and toss. Divide the salad among 6 salad plates and top with the avocado and queso fresco. Serve immediately.

SHRIMP AND NOPAL CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Pare the spines from the cactus; trim the base and around the edge. Dice into 3/4 x 1/4-inch pieces. Blanch in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse thoroughly. Combine with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours or until cold. Serve cold with baked corn tortillas.

ENSALADA DE NOPALES Y CAMARONES - CACTUS AND SHRIMP SALAD

Steps:

• Seed and dice tomatoes. Chop onion and cilantro. Finely dice the jalapeno and mix all together in a large bowl. Set aside.
• In a separate medium sized bowl, combine the garlic and half of the extra virgin olive oil. Brush the nopales with the garlic oil to coat using a basting brush, season both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Reserve the leftover garlic oil.
• Place the cactus on a preheated a grill or grill pan over a medium-high flame and cook until limp, about 4 minutes on each side. Remove and allow to cool, then cut the pads into ¼-inch thick strips. Add to the tomato mixture.
• Brush the shrimp with the reserved garlic oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 3 minutes on each side, until firm and pink and add to the tomato-nopales mixture.
• Add the vinegar, tequila and remaining olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve in a lettuce leaf or corn tortilla.

ENSALADA DE NOPALITOS (CACTUS SALAD) WITH VEGAN OPTION

Steps:

• Drain the nopalitos and place in a bowl. Cut them into smaller strips, if you prefer.
• Add the white onion, cilantro, Mexican oregano, and lime juice to the nopalitos. Stir well. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
• While waiting, prepare the toppings.
• When the nopales mixture has sat for 30 minutes, spread the mixture in a 1.5 or 2 inch deep platter.
• Top with chopped tomatoes, cilantro, shredded cheese, onion, jalapeños, and avocado.
• Place the lettuce along the edges of the platter.
• Serve at room temperature.

CACTUS PADDLE SALAD (NOPALES SALAD)

Steps:

• Heat 6 inches of water and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to a boil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Add the cactus and boil, uncovered, until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Drain the cactus and transfer it to a large bowl.
• Add tomato, onion and cilantro; set aside.
• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, oregano and salt; pour over the vegetables and toss.
• Line a platter with lettuce leaves; top with salad; sprinkle with cheese; garnish with jalapenos and radish slices.

CACTUS PADDLE SALAD/RELISH OR ENSALADA DE NOPALITOS

Steps:

• If the cactus is in big chunks dice to 1/2-1/4 inch pieces.
• Toss together with the tomato, onion and cilantro.
• Whisk together the dressing ingredients and toss with the salad.
• Serve.

CARNITAS WITH SPICY PICKLED VEGETABLES AND CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• For the pork: Melt the lard in a large pot over medium heat. Squeeze the juice from the citrus fruits into the lard along with the skins. Add the pork shoulder, bay leaf, onions and salt. Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover the pot and cook the pork, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• In the meantime, for the pickled vegetables: In a non-reactive pot, bring the vinegar, chiles de arbol, salt and peppercorns to a boil. Take off the heat and add the green beans, wax beans, carrots, corn, garlic and jalapenos. Chill in the refrigerator to cool down, at least 1 hour. Will hold in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• For the cactus salad: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and grill the cactus paddles until soft and charred, about 10 minutes. Remove the paddles and set aside. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and grill the scallions until just cooked, about 3 minutes. After the cactus and scallions have cooled, dice them up and mix with the tomatoes, chile and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and reserve.
• After the pork has been cooking and is soft, turn the heat up to medium-high and add the cola. Cook until the pork caramelizes, 15 to 20 minutes.
• To assemble the carnitas, strain a spoonful of the pork from the fat and serve on a warm corn tortilla. Garnish with the pickled vegetables, the cactus salad and lime wedges.

CACTUS, CHAYOTE, AND GREEN-APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Put 1 cactus paddle, flat side down, on a work surface. Scrape horizontally from narrow base of paddle toward wider end with a vegetable peeler or knife to cut off thorns and brown spots. Dethorn paddle on other side in same manner, then trim all around edge. Repeat with remaining paddles, then cut paddles crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Blanch cactus in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until just softened, about 1 minute. Immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water. Pat dry, then transfer to a large bowl along with chayotes, apple, and scallions.
• Cut peel and all white pith from 3 oranges with a sharp knife. Working over bowl containing cactus mixture, cut segments free from membranes, letting segments fall into bowl. Squeeze juice from membranes and remaining orange into bowl, then add lime juice, salt, and pepper and toss. Let stand until chayotes are wilted, about 30 minutes.
• While salad stands, toast pumpkin seeds in 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until puffed and pale golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cayenne. Cool seeds in oil in skillet.
• Drain salad in a colander set over a bowl, then transfer juice to a 1-quart saucepan and boil until syrupy and reduced to about 1/3 cup, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Return salad to bowl and toss with dressing, pumpkin seeds with oil from skillet, and salt to taste.

NOPAL (CACTUS) SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Clean the needles from the cactus leaves (or you can buy them already cleaned off).Cut in 1 inch stripes and boil for 10 minutes.
• 2. Pour to one bowl.Add the peas (drained and rinsed),add chopped eggs,relish and green onion.
• 3. In a small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients.Pour over the vegetables.Serve with any meat for dinner or serve it with salmon, rice,and beans like I did for dinner tonight.

CACTUS SALAD WITH AVOCADO DRESSING- NOPALES

Steps:

• Combine the onion, garlic, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 4 cups water in a large heavy saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the cactus and boil for 7 minutes, or until tender and no longer bright green. Strain the cactus and discard the onion and garlic. Cool completely. (The cactus can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
• Put the avocado, cilantro leaves, olive oil, serrano chile, vinegar, and 2 tablespoons water in a blender. Blend until very smooth (the dressing will be thick). Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
• Transfer the cactus to a large bowl and add the tomatoes, queso fresco, scallions, and chopped cilantro. Toss to combine. Add enough dressing to coat, and toss gently. Divide the salad among 4 plates, and top each serving with chicharones if desired.

ENSALADA DE NAPALITOS: CACTUS SHOOT SALAD

Steps:

• Begin by blanching cactus pads in salted boiling water until tender, for about 5 minutes; then shock in ice water.
• Julienne cactus pads into strips lengthwise. In a small salad bowl, mix in the green onion, tomato, cilantro, jalapeno, and cactus pads.
• In separate bowl mix garlic, oil and lime juice. Add all the other ingredients and season to taste with salt and pepper.

CACTUS, ZUCCHINI AND RED PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• To make vinaigrette, in small bowl, mix oil, vinegar, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic and pepper with wire whisk until well blended.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat water and salt to boiling. Add cactus. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Boil uncovered 5 minutes; drain. Immediately rinse with cold water, or plunge into large bowl of ice and water; drain. Repeat rinsing and draining twice.
• In large bowl, mix cactus, zucchini and bell pepper. Add vinaigrette; toss to mix.

CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Pare off edges of cactus paddles and slice into ¼ inch strips.
• Bring water, salt, and scallions to a boil.
• Drop in cactus strips and bring to boiling.
• Reduce heat and simmer until tender.
• Drain and rinse.
• Combine vinegar, lime juice, oil, sun dried tomatoes, and oregano in separate bowl.
• Arrange cactus strips and sautéed onions on platter, pour vinegar mixture over salad, sprinkle cheese and chilies on top and serve.

CALIFORNIA CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Peel thorns from cactus pads with a vegetable peeler, leaving the green skin; cut cactus pads into thin strips.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add the cactus and garlic, saute 7-8 minutes or until cactus is tender. Combine the cactus mixture, beans and the next 7 ingredients(beans through tomatoes).
• Arrange 1 1/2 cups lettuce on each of 4 plates, top each with 1/2 cup cactus mixture, 1 1/2 tbls. cheese, and about 2 teaspoons sour cream. Enjoy!
• Yield: 4 servings.

CACTUS SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add 3 cups cactus strips; cook 4 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Remove to large bowl. Repeat with 1 Tbsp. of the remaining dressing and remaining cactus strips. Cool completely.
• Add remaining dressing and all other remaining ingredients; mix lightly.

GRILLED CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium heat.
• Grill first 4 ingredients 8 to 12 min. or until cactus and onions are crisp-tender, turning occasionally and brushing cactus with 2 Tbsp. dressing for the last 2 min. (Some ingredients will cook faster than others. Transfer ingredients to cutting board as they finish cooking.) Cool 10 min.
• Chop cactus into 3/4-inch pieces; place in large bowl. Chop tomatoes and onions into 1/2-inch pieces; mix with cactus. Discard stems and seeds from chiles; coarsely chop chiles. Add to cactus mixture; mix lightly.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.

CACTUS SALAD

Steps:

• 1. If using fresh cactus squares, cook quickly in a pan of boiling water to cover, 1 to 2 minutes, to retain the color and crispness and to remove some of the slippery coating. Drain well in cold running water. If using bottled cactus, simply drain through a strainer and rinse very well in cold running water and cut into 1/2-inch squares. 2. In a large bowl, mix the cooked cactus, tomatoes, onion, serrano chiles, and cilantro. Add the oil, vinegar, and salt. Toss to mix. Arrange the lettuce on a platter. Mound the salad on the lettuce, and scatter the cheese on top. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.