Cowboy Salad with BBQ Ranch Dressing

Prep: 15–20 minutes
Serves: 4–6

Ingredients

🥬 Salad Base

6 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, sliced
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro (optional but great)

Hearty Add-Ins

1 cup corn (grilled or canned, drained)
1 cup mixed beans (black beans + pinto or black-eyed peas, rinsed)
½ cup black olives, sliced
½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
6–8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

BBQ Ranch Dressing

½ cup ranch dressing
2–3 tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tsp lime juice (optional, brightens flavor)
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Instructions

1. Build the Base

Add greens to a large bowl.
Layer tomatoes, cucumber, onion, avocado, and cilantro.

2. Add the Hearty Ingredients

Scatter corn, beans, olives, cheese, and bacon evenly on top.

3. Dress It

Drizzle BBQ ranch dressing over the salad.
Toss lightly or leave layered for presentation.

4. Serve

Serve immediately for best texture and freshness.

Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

Calories: ~350–450 kcal
Protein: 12–18 g
Carbs: 25–35 g
Fat: 20–28 g
Fiber: 6–10 g

Q&A / Tips

Can I make it a full meal?

Absolutely—add:

Grilled chicken
Steak strips
Ground beef or turkey

How do I keep it from getting soggy?

Add dressing right before serving
Keep wet ingredients (tomatoes, dressing) separate until ready

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes—skip bacon and add:

Roasted chickpeas
Grilled tofu
Extra beans

What beans work best?

Black beans
Pinto beans
Black-eyed peas (very “cowboy-style”)

Can I meal prep this?

Yes, with a trick:

Store ingredients separately
Assemble fresh when eating

Flavor Variations

Spicy version: add jalapeños or chipotle in dressing
Tex-Mex style: add tortilla strips or crushed chips
Low-carb: skip beans & corn, add more greens + protein

Pro Tips

Grill the corn for smoky flavor (huge upgrade)
Use thick-cut bacon for better crunch
Add a squeeze of lime at the end for balance

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.