Dessert

Frito Cowboy Cabbage Recipe

Bymia larkspur November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

Introduction

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is a vibrant, crunchy salad bursting with Southwestern flavors. Combining fresh vegetables, beans, and a smoky chipotle dressing, it’s topped off with the irresistible crunch of Chili Cheese Fritos for a fun twist that’s perfect for any gathering.

The image shows a close-up view of a bowl filled with a colorful salad. The salad has several layers: shredded white cabbage and purple cabbage mixed with black beans, yellow corn kernels, small chopped red tomatoes, and green jalapeño pieces. Scattered throughout are many orange, crunchy, chip-like pieces with a slightly rough texture. The salad's colors are bright and fresh, with a creamy dressing lightly coating all ingredients. The white bowl stands on a white marbled surface, with a halved lime and a small white bowl of sauce blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 make the chipotle dressing.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Step 4: Add all but a handful of the Chili Cheese Fritos to the salad and stir gently to combine.
Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved handful of Fritos on top for extra crunch.
Step 6: Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and crisp texture.

Tips & Variations

For a milder version, reduce or omit the jalapeño and chipotle sauce.
Add diced avocado for a creamy texture contrast.
Swap the Chili Cheese Fritos with regular or spicy Fritos if desired.
For extra protein, toss in grilled chicken or cooked ground beef seasoned with taco spices.

Storage

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the Fritos separate and add them just before serving to maintain their crunch. If leftovers become soggy, briefly refresh by stirring in a small handful of fresh Fritos.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a colorful mixed salad showing three main visual layers: a base of finely shredded white and purple cabbage, thin slices of orange carrots, and scattered black beans and yellow corn kernels mixed throughout. The salad is coated with creamy white dressing, giving it a slightly shiny texture, with small bits of green herbs sprinkled on top. On top, crunchy orange chip pieces are placed as garnish, adding a crunchy texture and contrast. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with some lime halves and extra chips around for decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad and dressing separately and combine them just before serving. Keep the Fritos aside until the last minute to prevent sogginess.

Is there a substitute for the chipotle sauce?

If you don’t have chipotle sauce, you can use smoked paprika mixed with a little hot sauce or a small amount of adobo sauce alone for a similar smoky flavor.