Salad · Lunch · Mexican ·

Mexican Nopales Salad with Queso Fresco and Lime

Name: Mexican Nopales Salad with Queso Fresco and Lime
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Salad
Ingredients: Fresh nopales, 2 cups, cleaned and diced; Red onion, 1/2 cup, finely sliced; Cherry tomatoes, 1 cup, halved; Cilantro, 1/4 cup, chopped; Queso fresco, 1/2 cup, crumbled; Avocado, 1, diced; Fresh lime juice, 3 tablespoons; Olive oil, 1 tablespoon; Salt, 1 teaspoon; Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon; Garlic, 1 clove, minced

This Mexican Nopales Salad, also known as "Ensalada de Nopales," combines tender cactus paddles with queso fresco, cilantro, and a zesty lime dressing, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish.

4.8(352 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 25, 2025

Mexican Nopales Salad with Queso Fresco and Lime — Salad served and photographed from above

Prep

10 min

Cook

30 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Salad

For the Lime Dressing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 169 kcal
Protein: 5.1 g
Carbs: 10.7 g
Fat: 12.9 g
Fiber: 4.7 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 674 kcal
Protein: 20.4 g
Carbs: 42.9 g
Fat: 51.6 g
Fiber: 18.7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Fresh nopales 2 cups, cleaned and diced	50	3	10	0.5	5
Red onion 1/2 cup, finely sliced	25	1	5	0	1
Cherry tomatoes 1 cup, halved	30	1	7	0	2
Cilantro 1/4 cup, chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Queso fresco 1/2 cup, crumbled	190	12	3	15	0
Avocado 1, diced	240	3	13	22	10
Fresh lime juice 3 tablespoons	10	0	3	0	0.3
Olive oil 1 tablespoon	120	0	0	14	0
Salt 1 teaspoon	0	0	0	0	0
Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon	3	0.1	0.7	0.1	0.2
Garlic 1 clove, minced	5	0.2	1	0	0.1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Nopales

1
Rinse Nopales
Rinse the diced nopales under cold water.
2
Boil Nopales
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the nopales.
3
Cook and Drain
Boil for about 10 minutes until tender, then rinse under cold water and drain.
Tip: Ensure nopales are thoroughly rinsed after boiling to prevent a slimy texture.

Assembling the Salad

1
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the prepared nopales, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro.
2
Make Dressing
In a separate small bowl, whisk together ingredients for the lime dressing.
3
Toss Salad
Pour the lime dressing over the salad mix and toss to combine.
Tip: Slightly chilling the salad enhances its refreshing qualities.

How to Make Mexican Nopales Salad with Queso Fresco and Lime

Total time: 40 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Boiling Nopales
Simmer in salted water until tender, about 10 minutes.
2
Mixing Dressing
Combine lime juice, oil, salt, pepper, and garlic until emulsified.
3
Combining Salad
Toss all ingredients with dressing and let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.