Ensalada de Nopales (Mexican Cactus Salad)
Tender cactus strips tossed with pico de gallo, creamy avocado and salty queso fresco. A bright side dish that is easy to prepare.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.61 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Tip the nopales into a sieve and rinse very well under cold running water for 1 minute. Drain and pat dry with kitchen paper.
- 2
Bring a pan of water to the boil. Blanch the nopales for 3 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water until cool. This removes the last of the brine and slime.
3 min - 3
Drain well and put into a large bowl. Add the oil, lime juice and oregano, and mix.
- 4
Fold in your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe) and the coriander. Taste and season with salt and more lime juice if needed.
- 5
Gently fold in the avocado. Scatter the cheese over and serve straight away, as a side or on warm corn tortillas.
Tips
- Always rinse and blanch jarred nopales. Without this the salad can taste briny and feel slippery.
- Add the avocado and cheese last so the salad looks fresh and does not turn mushy.
- Chill for 20 minutes before serving if you like it cold, though room temperature is fine too.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days without the avocado, in a covered container. The tomato releases liquid as it sits, so drain it and add fresh avocado and lime juice before serving.
Questions
Can I make this vegan?
Yes, leave out the cheese and add extra avocado or a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds for richness. Everything else is plant based, so it is also gluten free, dairy free and egg free.
Where can I buy nopales?
Jarred or tinned nopales strips are sold in Mexican, Latin American and some world food shops, and online. Fresh pads are rare in the UK and need de-spining and boiling before use.
What can I serve with it?
Serve it as a side with grilled meat, in warm corn tortillas as tacos, on tostadas, or with scrambled eggs at breakfast. It also works as a cold salad for a picnic.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Queso Fundido con Chorizo (Melted Cheese with Chorizo)
EFNFTacos de Coliflor Rostizada con Pico de Gallo (Taco-Spiced Cauliflower Tacos)
GFDFEFTacos de Tofu Sazonado con Pico de Gallo (Spiced Crumbled Tofu Tacos)
GFDFEFTacos de Huevo con Chorizo (Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos)
DFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.