This Cowgirl Salad will forever change your salad game – meal salads are the best! I know that’s a big statement, but I’m prime time in LOVE with this one and I know you will be too!
Copycat Earl’s Sante-Fe Salad
Confession: I’ve always loved the Santa-Fe Salad from Earl’s. There’s something so incredibly satisfying about it. The combination of sweet and salty and spicy has me weak in the knees. I’ve wanted to re-create it for years… why it took me so long to make this copycat version is beyond me!
Growing up I used to think that salads were just a bunch of iceberg lettuce with a couple slices of cucumber and tomato and store-bought salad dressing. It was just the era I grew up in. Was I wrong, or what!
I remember the first time I went to France and ordered a green salad. I was a bit confused… it was ONLY lettuce!? Huh? But wait. The salad dressing. Now that was a different story. Where had this been all of my life? That was it, I HAD to try making my own salad dressing. And of course, once you start doing that you simply can’t go back.
But back to this salad, Charles and I love salads that double as a meal, especially in the summer time. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with dinner or with salads in general, so consider this a new contender for your regular line-up!
Meal Prep Salads
Prep the ingredients ahead of time and store them in resealable containers to make it easy to put together on a busy weeknight or for easy entertaining. It can almost all be assembled in advance (leave off the dressing and avocado until just before serving). Planning things out in advance takes so much stress out of getting healthy meals on the table (check out our Meal Plan if you like the idea of everything planned out for you in advance, grocery lists, recipes, prep and all).
Vegan Santa-Fe Salad
This Santa-Fe inspired salad is loaded with veggies and packed with protein – you can make it completely vegan by substituting tofu for the chicken and vegan feta for the feta cheese (or simply leaving out the cheese).
You can make this Santa-Fe Salad gluten-free easily by simply using gluten -free versions of all of the ingredients (ie: soy sauce). Depending on how gluten-sensitive you are, be sure that all of your spices, chips etc. are indeed gluten free (not all are).
Easy Salad Recipes
If you’re looking for other similar salad recipes try out this Grilled Peach Salad with Spicy Prawns at the height of peach season (that’s a bit unfair of me given that I’m writing this in March), my Falafel Salad with Garlic Tahini Dressing or this Ultimate Power Salad for a nutrient-packed satisfying meal that will leave your body saying ‘thank you’.
This salad is 100% satisfying and so gorgeous, especially when served in a shallow platter to really show off the ingredients. As always, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below if you make it!
xo
Tori
Cowgirl Salad
This Santa-Fe style salad is brimming with flavour, fibre and colour and is such a showy dish to impress guests! You can double the chicken or tofu if you’re making it for a bigger (or hungrier) crowd.
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- 3 tablespoons natural smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (from 1-2 limes)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Cajun Chicken or Tofu
- 1 350 g. package extra firm tofu OR
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cajun spice mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Salad Ingredients
- 2 heads (10 cups) torn romaine lettuce (bite size pieces)
- 1 540 ml can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup corn (cooked and cooled)
- 2 red, yellow or orange bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup chopped pitted Medjool dates
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta or vegan feta (optional)
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 avocados, sliced or diced
- tortilla chips for serving (optional)
- 1 lime, cut in wedges for serving
Instructions
MAKE THE SALAD DRESSING
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Combine all of the salad dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
PREPARE THE CHICKEN OR TOFU
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To prepare the chicken, preheat a grill or frying pan on medium heat. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil or avocado oil over each chicken breast, rub it in, sprinkle each with the cajun spice mix to coat and season with salt. Grill on a barbecue or in a pan on the stove on both sides until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Transfer to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to rest.
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To prepare the tofu, cut the tofu into 1/2" cubes and pat dry. Drizzle with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil or avocado oil, toss to coat, sprinkle the tofu cubes with the cajun spice mix to coat and season with salt. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado or olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the tofu cubes, and fry on all sides until just golden brown, about 2-3 minutes a side. Remove from the heat and set aside.
MAKE THE SALAD
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Place the torn romaine lettuce in a large bowl or in a large platter with sides. Top with the black beans, corn, peppers, dates, feta and red onion. Slice the avocado on the salad just before serving, top with the grilled chicken or tofu, garnish with the lime wedges, and serve with the tortilla chips and salad dressing. Alternately, you can toss the salad with the salad dressing before adding the avocado, chicken or tofu and lime wedges.
Recipe Notes
Make it vegan: use tofu and replace the feta with vegan feta or leave out the cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Make it gluten-free: use certified gluten-free ingredients (ie: soy sauce)
Amazing! I am going to make this salad for sure! Thank you.
Looks delicious!! I love that salad at Earl’s too haha!
Just curious what you could replace the peanuts/peanut butter with as my son is allergic. Cashew? Tahini? What would you recommend? Thanks!
Hi Erin, I would almost be tempted to try Wow butter … otherwise I would try a nut/seed blend or Cashew butter.
What if only wanted to make this for 1-2 people.. or if I made this big batch for 6 how long would it store in fridge?
Thanks!
Hi Aimee I would just reduce everything in half – you may have a bit leftover but not much. It would keep for around 3-4 days in the fridge.
This will be our dinner one night this week! Plan to use tofu as we love it but I have been afraid to cook it in the fear I’ll destroy it. Wish me luck! Lol
Good luck! I hope it turned out awesome!
This looks amazing. Just added this and the Butternut squash Mac & Cheese to the meal planning for the week ahead!
I just made this, it was outstanding!! Especially the dressing! It will be on repeat for awhile!
Thanks Ellie!!! Glad you loved it!
Made this for dinner tonight! Delicious! Will definitely make again. Thank you!
Thank you Erica!!!
Very yummy, thanks Tori! Even my husband, the only meat eater in the house, loved it! Looking forward to trying the Butternut mac n cheese as well.
This was fantastic! How many calories is in 1 serving?
Hi Meg, I’m not sure as I don’t do the calculations on my recipes sorry!
This salad will be making a regular appearance in my meal planning. I’m LOVING the dressing, it’s way better than Earl’s! Thanks Tori 😊
Yay!!! Thanks Katie!!!
Hands down the BEST salad my whole family has ever had!! My kids asked for seconds and my husband said he loved that a salad could be a meal! We used homemade taco seasoning and kale since we didn’t have romaine on hand. Delicious!! Thank you!!
I love that thank you Nadya!!! Tori
Love this! Browns social house has a similar one and ive never been able to replicate it.
So glad you like it Kelly! The browns one is delicious too!
Amazing salad! The best! I made it with a mix of kale and romaine because I did not have enough romaine but it was delicious!!!!
Which Cajun season did you use?
Hi Cheryl I used one from Nature’s Fare Markets it was their own package (in house)
This salad is SO flavourful and hearty! I made the vegan version and was blown away. My husband (who is a tough sell for salad) said “this is the best salad I’ve ever had I’m my life”. I haven’t had the Earl‘S version to compare, but it was better than any salad I’ve had at a restaurant!!!
Thank you Lisa and thank you for rating the recipe it means a lot! So happy you and your hubby liked it so much! Take care, Tori
Sooooo good! Will make again for sure!
Hi Krista! Thank you so much for rating! I’m glad you love this salad as much as I do. Tori
My entire family loves this salad ! I grill both chicken and tofu so the vegans and meat eaters are both happy. I love it feels like a “restaurant “ salad
Thanks so much Lorraine I’m thrilled you like it… and your whole family! Thanks for taking the time to rate the recipe it means a lot! Tori
Hi Tori! Can’t wait to make this. Do you think raisins could work ok in place of the dates ?
Hi Amy they would work fine!
LOVE this Cowgirl recipe. Do you happen to have the nutritional information on this salad. Just joined WW and would love to calculate the points value of this salad
Hey Liz! Yes I can! Can I ask if you planned to make it with chicken or tofu? Regular feta or vegan feta?
Oh my gosh….this is so delicious! Made this for dinner last night as I’m trying to find more plant-based meals. Quite a bit of prep, but we got the whole family involved and it was a fun Saturday night dinner. Had leftovers for lunch and it was just as good, if not better! I will definitely be making this again!
Thanks so much Adrienne!!! I am thrilled you loved it. It is honestly one of my favourite salads. xx Tori
When you eat a salad as heartily as you would a hamburger you know it’s seriously good. I have made this twice now and can’t get enough. Love that I’m being so healthy and enjoying it. I’ve discovered vegan feta since this recipe and I love it xx
Thank you for the amazing recipe. I will making the one again.
Thanks so much Miranda! I am thrilled you love it and appreciate you taking the time to rate the Cowgirl Salad! xx Tori
I am obsessed!! I meal prepped this recipe, and I would be so impatient to wait until lunch time to eat it. The dressing is absolutely perfect, and the flavors work so well with each other. I added candied pecans and tortilla strips for crunch as well. I’m making my grocery list as we speak to make it again! Thanks, Tori!
Hi Raya that is so wonderful thank you for sharing that and taking the time to review the recipe!
Have a great day, Tori
This salad was amazing!!
Thanks so much Tracy!
Glad you loved it, thanks for leaving a review and rating I appreciate it! Tori
Made this salad last night and it was an absolute hit! People even said it was one of the best salads they’ve ever had. I would definitely add cilantro to this recipe, it takes it to another level. I didn’t have red onion so omitted that, but would definitely include pickled red onions in the future. Eating it today as leftovers with steak and it holds up well!
Hi Kilee! Thanks so much for taking the time to rate this recipe!
It means the world. I am thrilled you enjoyed it. xx Tori