Frito Cowboy Cabbage | Viral Recipe Idea

If you are searching for a bold, flavor-packed variation of traditional coleslaw, this Frito Cowboy Cabbage is the perfect choice. Loaded with crunchy coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, fresh peppers, and a creamy chipotle dressing, it offers a hearty Tex-Mex twist on a classic side dish. Originally made viral by Kristen on TikTok, this recipe has become a must-have for BBQs, potlucks, and taco nights.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This recipe is a crowd-pleaser because it combines the refreshing crunch of a salad with the satisfying heartiness of a dip. The name Cowboy Cabbage comes from the bold, rustic ingredients like black beans and corn that give it a “cowboy-style” vibe. You will love how the smoky chipotle dressing ties everything together, while the addition of Chili Cheese Fritos provides an addictive salty crunch that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. It is easy to assemble, requires no cooking, and is incredibly versatile.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix (shredded green and purple cabbage with carrots)
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 ½ cups 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
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce (from a can of chipotles in adobo)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, rinsed black beans, drained corn, diced jalapeño, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro.
2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ground cumin over the vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the spices are evenly distributed.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. When you are ready to serve the salad, pour the prepared chipotle dressing over the coleslaw mixture.
5. Add in all of the Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a small handful for the top. Gently stir to coat all the ingredients with the dressing and distribute the chips.
6. Top the salad with the remaining handful of Fritos for extra visual appeal and crunch. Serve immediately to ensure the chips stay crispy.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To ensure the best results, always drain and rinse your black beans thoroughly. This removes the starchy, salty liquid and keeps the salad colors bright. If you want a smoother texture, make sure to finely dice the peppers and onions so they integrate well with the shredded cabbage.

The most important tip for this recipe is the timing of the Fritos. Because the dressing is creamy, the corn chips will eventually soften. For the ultimate “viral” experience, stir the chips in at the very last second before the bowl hits the table. If you are taking this to a potluck, keep the bag of Fritos separate and mix them in once you arrive.

Variations & Substitutions

If you do not have a pre-packaged coleslaw mix, you can easily shred half a head of green cabbage and one large carrot to achieve the same effect. For those who prefer a different protein profile, pinto beans or kidney beans work beautifully as a substitute for black beans.

If you cannot find chipotle sauce, you can substitute it with a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a tablespoon of your favorite mild salsa. To adjust the heat level, keep the seeds in the jalapeño for a spicier kick, or swap the jalapeño for a mild green bell pepper if you prefer no heat at all.

Serving Suggestions

Frito Cowboy Cabbage is an exceptional side dish for grilled meats like steak, chicken, or ribs. It also serves as a fantastic topping for tacos or inside a burrito for added texture. If you want to serve it as an appetizer, you can provide extra Fritos or tortilla chips on the side and eat it like a chunky salsa or dip. It pairs wonderfully with other Tex-Mex favorites like Cowboy Caviar or a cold glass of limeade.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed fresh due to the crunch of the Fritos. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Please note that the chips will lose their crunch over time. If you plan on having leftovers, it is best to store the cabbage mixture and the dressing separately, then combine and add fresh chips right before eating.

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe, as the cabbage will lose its crispness and the creamy dressing may separate upon thawing. No reheating is required as this dish is served cold.

Nutrition Information

Note: Nutritional values are estimates based on the salad and dressing without the Fritos included.

Frito Cowboy Cabbage

If you are searching for a bold, flavor-packed variation of traditional coleslaw, this Frito Cowboy Cabbage is the perfect choice. Loaded with crunchy coleslaw mix, black beans, corn, fresh peppers, and a creamy chipotle dressing, it offers a hearty Tex-Mex twist on a classic side dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings: 6

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Calories: 299

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Salad Base

• 1 bag coleslaw mix (16 ounces) shredded green and purple cabbage with carrots
• 1 can black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups 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
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 bag Chili Cheese Fritos (9.75 ounces)

Creamy Chipotle Dressing

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tbsp chipotle sauce (from a can of chipotles in adobo)

Method

 

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, rinsed black beans, drained corn, diced jalapeño, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro.
   1 bag coleslaw mix, 1 can black beans, 1 1/2 cups canned corn kernels, 1 medium jalapeño pepper, 1 small red bell pepper, 3 green onions, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ground cumin over the vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the spices are evenly distributed.
   1 tbsp taco seasoning, 1/2 tsp ground cumin
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and chipotle sauce until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
   1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp chipotle sauce
4. When you are ready to serve the salad, pour the prepared chipotle dressing over the coleslaw mixture.
5. Add in all of the Chili Cheese Fritos, reserving a small handful for the top. Gently stir to coat all the ingredients with the dressing and distribute the chips.
   1 bag Chili Cheese Fritos
6. Top the salad with the remaining handful of Fritos for extra visual appeal and crunch. Serve immediately to ensure the chips stay crispy.

Notes

To ensure the best results, always drain and rinse your black beans thoroughly to keep the salad colors bright. For the ultimate crunch, stir the Chili Cheese Fritos in at the very last second before serving.

FAQ