Ensalada de Nopales (cactus salad)

This Mexican ensalada de nopales (cactus salad) is one of my favorite fresh salad recipes. This salad is so versatile and can be served in many different ways. You can have it as a side dish with your favorite Mexican dishes, topping or filling on tacos, tostadas or really just eat it alone.

I grew up eating nopales with so many dishes. I remember my dad buying bags of fresh nopales with the thorns still on the paddles and he would cleaned them really well and cook them in various recipes. One of those recipes was ensalada de nopales, which is one of the easiest and most versatile recipes. As an adult now, I don't have them as often since fresh nopales are not sold nearby. But, whenever my mom is in town you better believe it we eat a nopales dish. If you've never had nopales, you need to try them!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Make the perfect topping for tacos
• They are so rich in fiber and other nutrients
• It's perfect if you are looking for a vegan and vegetarian recipe

What are nopales

Nopales are the leaves or "paddles" from the prickly pear cactus. It's commonly eaten in Mexico and popular in many Mexican recipes. Nopales taste like combination of green beans and okra. If eaten raw it has the texture of asparagus.

Why are nopales slimy?

If you notice some slimy gooey texture from the pads of the nopales, this is normal. Nopales naturally release some slime due to a substance called mucilage which helps cactus keep moisture. You can eat nopales with the slime, but if you rather reduce some of the slime - you can boil nopales with salt and lime or vinegar. You can also grill the nopales or sauté them with some oil.

Ingredients you'll need

• nopales fresh nopales normally found in Mexican grocery stores. Or you can find jarred nopales in most big grocery stores. If you get jarred nopales just rinse in water
• red onion - adds flavor to the salad
• tomato - I use roma tomatoes but any tomato will do
• cilantro to add freshness
• kosher salt or garlic salt for taste
• lime for that citrusy taste right before serving
• Toppings: cotija cheese or queso fresco

How to make ensalada de nopal

Step 1: Clean and diced the nopales - Most Mexican/hispanic grocery stores sell fresh paddles of nopales clean without the spines. Some grocery stores will sell bags of clean chopped nopales. If you get fresh nopales with the thorns, remove the thorns from both sides and rinse really well before slicing and dicing.

Step 2: Cook the nopales - Fill a medium saucepan with water and add diced nopales with 1 teaspoon of salt, top with water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and cool down.

Step 2: Combine all ingredients - Add all the ingredients in a large bowl and ½ teaspoon of salt and combine. Serve with crumbled cotija cheese and a squeeze juice of lime wedge.

How to serve ensalada de nopalitos

• This cactus salad can be served as a topping to tacos like air fryer taquitos, and shredded beef tacos.
• It makes the perfect appetizer served with air fryer tortilla chips. Or you can make tostadas de nopales.
• It can be serve as a side to so many Mexican dishes like, tamales, and grilled steaks like carne asada.

Substitutions and Variations

If you can't fine fresh nopales, you can substitute with jarred nopales. Most big groceries carry jarred nopales. Drain and rinse the jarred nopales and mix in with the other ingredients.

You can add minced jalapeño peppers to make it spicy and serve with sliced or chopped avocado.

Storing suggestions

Refrigerate - You can store nopales in the refrigerator for up to five days
Freeze - You can freeze cooked nopales up to six months in a zip-top freezer bag. Once ready to eat thaw out and mix in fresh ingredients

Recipes that will pair well with cactus salad

• Air fryer beef taquitos
• Carne asada nachos
• Air fryer tortilla chips