This vegetarian sheet pan dinner is a beautiful Mexican kale salad that is super easy to prepare and great for a Meatless Monday or fun take on Taco Tuesday.
This was one of those recipes that I never intended to share, but was born out of a busy day at work, a look in the freezer and a thought of “hmmm…what can I make for dinner with things I have?”
I saw a bag of frozen kale and a bag of Mexican blend frozen corn and peppers, then opened my pantry and found a can of black beans and a lone ripe avocado on the counter. Stocking frozen veggies is a great way to ensure you are able to round out a meal even if you didn’t have time to plan in advance.
I threw everything on a sheet pan and went from there.
No Mexican dish is complete without a delicious touch of avocado. This recipe has a green avocado sauce that is to die for.
How do you make green avocado sauce?
- Add avocado, cilantro, lime juice, yogurt, water, salt chili powder and cumin to a food processor. Pulsate until smooth. That’s it!
This sheet pan meal came together beautifully. It was healthy, delicious and flavorful! Plus, I added a few tortilla chips for crunch and *muah* chef’s kiss!
This recipe makes two big salad bowls, or four small ones if you’re eating something else on the side. Enjoy this vegetarian sheet pan meal!
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- 5 Ingredient Vegan Vegetarian Meatballs
- Vegetarian Japanese Pan Noodles
- 5 Ingredient Spinach Hummus Feta Wraps
Vegetarian Sheet Pan Dinner (Mexican Kale Salad)
Equipment
Ingredients
For the salad
- 4 cups frozen kale I used blue curled kale
- 1 1/2 cups Mexican frozen corn blend with peppers
- 1 can black beans 15 oz - drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- pinch of salt
For the dressing
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- pinch of cumin
For salad toppings
- 1/2 avocado
- tortilla chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place kale, corn blend with peppers, and black beans on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle cumin, paprika, cayenne and salt on top of vegetables. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce - in a food processor combine avocado, cilantro, lime juice, yogurt, water, salt, chili powder and cumin and pulsate until smooth (about 20 seconds), transfer into a bowl.
- To assemble the salad put 1/2 contents of the sheet pan into a bowl, top with 1/2 of the remaining avocado (1/4 of an avocado) and tortilla chips. Spoon dressing on and enjoy!
Kerry says
This was so easy and a big hit. I used fresh kale and couldn’t find Mexican frozen corn so I used frozen corn and fresh red and green peppers. So delicious. Will definitely make again! Thank you!!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I am totally going to be making this this week because now I have a craving for it 🙂
shawnna griffin says
hey girl this looks so good! You are a lot like me! Just throw things together be creative! yummy!
Sweetphi says
YES! I am exactly that way (throwing things together to be creative with dinnertime) and am so glad you like the looks of this salad – it’s become one of my favorite dinners and I’m totally making it again this week lol!
Sarah says
Gah this looks so incredibly fun, healthy, and delicious! I might need to lift the kale-ban in my household for this one…
Sweetphi says
Kale ban definitely needs to be lifted for this one in particular dish (afterwards it can totally be reinstated lol). Thank you so much for your comment girl 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I love kale and I love Mexican food, so putting them together is like a dream come true for me. I love all the colours as well.
Sweetphi says
This salad truly has become a quick and healthy mealtime saver for me because it’s so easy to put together 🙂
Sues says
Salad in a sheet pan!! I loveeee that idea 🙂 This salad is gorgeous, too.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much! It is such a great (and quick) way to make dinner!!