This Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad makes a spectacular edible centerpiece. It features layers of flavorful vegetables with a spicy ranch dressing.

Easy Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad Recipe

Salads like this Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad are a true favorite here in the South. This variation has evolved through the years in my kitchen because of my family’s love of Southwestern and Tex-Mex flavors. The fresh pico de gallo, is a must and takes this salad over the top. It also pairs beautifully with the classic flavors that inspired my take on cornbread salad. How to make simple Southwestern Cornbread Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

Cornbread – Prepare cornbread per instructions on package and cool. Divide into thirds.
Dressing – Prepare the dressing using 1 1/3 cup of milk or buttermilk and 1 cup of mayo. Whisk until fully combined, then chill until assembling the salad.
Make Pico de Gallo – Prepare pico de gallo: In a medium size mixing bowl, toss together diced tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno pepper. Add chopped cilantro, lime juice and season with garlic salt and pepper to your taste. Chill until assembling.
Assemble – Divide the ingredients into thirds.
Layer Salad in this Order – Begin with shredded lettuce, crumbled cornbread, bacon, corn and black beans, pico de gallo, a drizzle of dressing and shredded cheese. Repeat until all of the ingredients are used.
Reserve some pico de gallo, bacon crumbles, and cheese to garnish the top. Dollop plain sour cream on top as a garnish.
Refrigerate for several hours, or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to come together before serving.
Serve chilled as a side dish or with tortilla chips for dipping.

How to Make the Best Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad Recipe

Cornbread salad needs to be made ahead to allow the flavors to fully develop. Will the cornbread soften? Yes it does, but it doesn’t become mushy.
Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad: One box cornbread and muffin mix prepared per the instructions and cooled, dry Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (spicy or classic works!) plus milk or buttermilk and mayonnaise to make the dressing.
For the layers you’ll need prepared pico de gallo, Southwestern or Mexican corn with peppers, shredded colby jack or cheddar cheese, chopped lettuce and black beans (rinsed) cooked and crumbled bacon and sour cream for garnishing the top. You can also cut rounds of fresh jalapeno to add as a garnish.
Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A pan for baking the cornbread, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a cheese grater, sharp knife and cutting board.
If you plan on serving this salad for supper it can be made during early morning for the best same day results. Otherwise, overnight is ideal for the full impact and flavor combination to shine.
I recommend using pico de gallo bacon crumbles, and cheese to garnish. So, theoretically, there are four layers of pico, bacon and cheese in my salad, but, who’s counting?
I’m pretty generous with the dressing when assembling the so I use plain sour cream on top as a garnish.
When serving salad that includes spicy or hot peppers, I always try to place a few visible as a garnish, letting people know what’s inside of the dish. So, a few rounds of jalapeno are placed on top of the sour cream for the finishing touch.
Store leftover Southwestern Cornbread Salad chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Please note, the lettuce may wilt.

More Southern Style Salads to Make

Salads can double as a side dish and a main dish depending on the ingredients included in the mix. More delicious salad recipe you may like to try:

My BLT Layered Penne Pasta Salad combines two flavors into one delicious dish.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad is dressed with a delectable homemade Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing.
Seven Layer Salad is a feast for the eyes.
This Grape Salad Recipe is a potluck classic that never gets old.
Southern Style Chicken Salad is ideal for light meals and snacking.
You may also like this article from Barefeet in the Kitchen about How To Eat Salad Everyday and Like It.

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