Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe
Introduction
Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant and flavorful salad that combines crunchy coleslaw mix with black beans, corn, and a zesty chipotle dressing. Topped with Chili Cheese Fritos, it offers a delightful mix of textures perfect for a quick lunch or side dish.

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 coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss everything together until evenly mixed.
- Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 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 stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Add all but a handful of Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad and gently mix to combine.
- Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved Chili Cheese Fritos on top for extra crunch.
- Step 6: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshest texture and flavor.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder version, reduce or omit the jalapeño and chipotle sauce.
- Substitute black beans with pinto beans or kidney beans for a different taste.
- Add diced avocado for creaminess and extra nutrients.
- Prepare the salad mixture and dressing separately in advance, then combine and add Fritos just before serving to keep them crisp.
Storage
Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best texture, add the Chili Cheese Fritos only when ready to serve. Leftover salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can reheat slightly if desired—just skip the Fritos if reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes, you can substitute the sour cream and mayonnaise with vegan alternatives and use a vegan cheese-flavored corn chip or omit the Fritos altogether.
How spicy is this salad?
The salad has a moderate level of heat from the jalapeño and chipotle sauce, which can be adjusted by using less or omitting these ingredients to suit your taste.
PrintFrito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe
Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant and crunchy southwestern-style salad featuring a mix of coleslaw, black beans, corn, fresh vegetables, and a zesty chipotle dressing. Topped with Chili Cheese Fritos for added texture and flavor, this dish combines smoky, spicy, and tangy elements for a perfect no-cook, refreshing 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: Southwestern
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, taco seasoning, and ground cumin. Toss gently until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Prepare the dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This creates approximately 1 ¼ cups of flavorful chipotle dressing.
- Add dressing to salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently stir to coat all components evenly with the chipotle dressing.
- Mix in Fritos: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad. Carefully fold them in, ensuring they are distributed throughout without breaking them up too much, maintaining some crunch.
- Top with reserved Fritos: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Chili Cheese Fritos on top of the salad for extra texture and a delightful crunch.
- Serve immediately: The salad is best enjoyed fresh to appreciate the combination of crisp vegetables and crunchy Fritos. Serve right away for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- For added heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add finely diced chipotle peppers.
- This salad pairs well with grilled meats or as a standalone light lunch.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure the taco seasoning does not contain animal products.
- Best eaten fresh as the Fritos can become soggy if left to sit for too long.
- Chipotle sauce amount can be adjusted to taste for milder or spicier dressing.
Keywords: Frito Cowboy Cabbage, southwestern salad, chipotle dressing, coleslaw salad, black bean salad, crunchy salad

