Cuban Salad with Red Pepper & Lemon Vinaigrette

Cuban Recipes for the New Year

This Cuban Salad recipe has become a staple in our house. The traditional version of the Cuban salad is so fresh and wholesome, made with chunks of tomato, avocado and slices of red onion. The dressing for a Cuban salad is usually nothing more than citrus juices, perhaps some olive oil, and salt and pepper. However, as a sponsored Mizkan Ambassador, I have some awesome Nikano vinegars in my cupboard – including their All Natural Red Pepper Rice Vinegar variety. Nakano Rice Vinegars offers a healthy alternative to condiments loaded in calories and fat, while adding delicious tang with far fewer calories. The Red Pepper Seasoned Rice Vinegar was the perfect base for the dressing on this Cuban salad recipe.

Traditional Cuban Salad Recipe Ingredients

Tomato, cut into quarters

Avocado, sliced

Red Onion, sliced

Lime, quartered

Salt/Pepper

Lime

Red Pepper and Lemon Vinaigrette

1/2-1 Lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons Red Pepper Nikano Rice Vinegars

3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2-3 Garlic Cloves, crush

Salt/Pepper

Arrange tomato, avocado and red onion. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, squeeze with lime. To make vinaigrette, mix lemon juice and vinegar together. Slowly combine with extra virgin olive oil. Add crushed garlic, season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over Cuban salad.

Bicultural Cuban Salad Recipe

Typically, the ingredients above are the only ones used in a Cuban salad. However, as a bicultural Latina, I almost always re-do “typical”. To beef up your Cuban salad, lay your ingredients on a bed of leafy greens. Top with feta cheese. Or add grilled chicken for a heavier option.

Ever since I served this Cuban salad recipe with Red Pepper & Lemon Vinaigrette at our Noche Buena this year, it’s been a regular at our dinner table. The kids love the creamy avocado texture. I love the crunch of the red onion and tangy red pepper rice vinegar. D just loves it.

*Disclosure: As an Mizkan Ambassador, I received samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All opinions are my own.