Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe
Introduction
If you’re looking for a vibrant, crunchy salad with a spicy kick, Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a perfect choice. This easy-to-make dish combines fresh vegetables, bold seasonings, and crispy Chili Cheese Fritos for a flavor-packed treat.

Ingredients
- 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 3 green onions, finely sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping
- ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo (just the sauce, not the peppers)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss well until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chipotle sauce until smooth to create the chipotle dressing.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently stir to coat everything evenly.
- Step 4: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad and gently fold them in to preserve their crunch.
- Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Fritos on top for extra texture and crunch.
- Step 6: Serve immediately to enjoy the salad’s freshness and crispy contrast.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- Substitute the Chili Cheese Fritos with regular corn chips for a less cheesy but still crunchy option.
- Make it vegetarian by ensuring the taco seasoning is meat-free and enjoy as a hearty side or light meal.
Storage
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the Fritos crunchy, store them separately and add just before serving. Stir gently before reheating, if desired, though this salad is best served cold or at room temperature.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
You can prepare the salad and dressing separately in advance, but mix in the Fritos just before serving to maintain their crunch.
Is this salad suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Check the packaging of the Chili Cheese Fritos and taco seasoning to ensure they are gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten. Otherwise, the fresh ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
PrintFrito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe
A zesty and crunchy Frito Cowboy Cabbage salad combining coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, and a smoky chipotle dressing, finished with Chili Cheese Fritos for a delightful Tex-Mex inspired side or light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups (247.5 g) canned corn kernels, drained
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 3 green onions, finely sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 bag (9.75 ounces) Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a handful for topping
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo (just the sauce, not the peppers)
Instructions
- Mix Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn kernels, diced jalapeño, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle adobo sauce until the mixture is smooth and well blended, forming about 1 ¼ cups of chipotle dressing.
- Combine Dressing and Salad: When ready to serve, pour the chipotle dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Add all but a handful of Chili Cheese Fritos into the salad and gently stir to coat all components evenly with dressing while incorporating the Fritos for crunch.
- Top and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Chili Cheese Fritos on top to add extra texture and crunch. Serve immediately for the best flavor and crispness.
Notes
- For extra spice, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add finely diced chipotles from the adobo sauce.
- This salad is best enjoyed immediately to retain the crunchiness of the Fritos.
- Make the dressing ahead of time to save prep time, but add the dressing and Fritos just before serving.
- Can be served as a side dish or a light main for a casual Tex-Mex styled meal.
Keywords: Frito Cowboy Cabbage, coleslaw salad, chipotle dressing, chili cheese fritos, Tex-Mex salad, no-cook salad

