Nopalitos is a salad made from tender cactus paddles called nopales. This dish is fresh, flavorful, healthy, and really affordable. Whether you make it as a classic nopales salad, serve it in tacos, pile it onto tostadas, or eat it with eggs for breakfast, nopalitos always hits the spot.
It is one of my favorite meals because it’s simple, healthy, and easy to adapt depending on what I have in the fridge. Some days I keep it light and fresh as a nopalitos salad topped with queso fresco or feta cheese. Other days I add chorizo or eggs and eat it with corn tortillas to make it a little heartier. Either way, it’s a budget-friendly meal that’s healthy, easy to make and also easy to pop out of the fridge and serve for lunch.
What Are Nopalitos?
Nopalitos are strips or diced pieces of cooked nopales, which are the edible pads of prickly pear cactus. They’ve been a staple in Mexican cuisine for generations and are commonly used in salads, tacos, soups, scrambled eggs, and grilled dishes.
Fresh nopales have a slightly tart, green-bean-meets-asparagus flavor with a texture similar to okra once cooked. They do release a slippery gel while cooking, but don’t let that scare you off. Once rinsed and prepared properly, they become tender and delicious.
You can usually find fresh nopales at Mexican grocery stores, farmers markets, or even some larger supermarkets. I usually buy mine at Grocery Outlet or you may find them at flea markets depending on your area.
Why I Love Nopalitos
One of the best things about nopalitos is how versatile they are. Because this recipe can be served warm or cold, it’s a great dish to make in advance and pull out when you need something quick. They’re also really convenient because they can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I really do eat them all the time. This one recipe can be served as a simple nopales salad or easily turned into scrambled eggs, tacos or tostadas.
One of my absolute favorite ways to eat them is for breakfast as nopales scrambled eggs or with poached eggs on the side. Making a meal from nopales is healthy and satisfying without being too heavy.
They’re also one of the most affordable healthy meals you can make. A few cactus paddles, tomatoes, onions, garlic and cilantro can feed several people for just a few dollars. If you want to make it a full meal add chorizo, queso fresco, or shredded meat and serve it with tortillas.
Health Benefits of Nopales
Another reason I love nopales is because they’re really nutritious. Nopales are low in calories and packed with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Some of the health benefits of nopales are:
- High fiber content that helps keep you full
- Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants
- Naturally low carb and low calorie
- May help support healthy blood sugar levels
- Good source of hydration because of their high water content
If you’re trying to eat healthier without spending a ton of money, nopalitos are a great option. It’s basically the new kale.
How to Make Nopalitos Salad
Ingredients
- 8 nopales cactus paddles, spines removed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro
- 1 serrano pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Chop the Nopales
If your nopales still have spines, carefully scrape them off with a knife or vegetable peeler then rinse thoroughly. and dice into small strips or cubes. Cut the paddles into strips lengthwise, then chop into small cubes or strips.
2. Boil the Nopales
Add the diced nopales to a pot of boiling water and cook for about 10–15 minutes until tender. The color will change from bight green to a dark, more pale green.
You’ll notice a slimy texture forming while they cook which is completely normal.
3. Rinse Well
Drain the cooked nopales and rinse them under cold water to remove the slimy residue. Place them in a strainer over a bowl or sink and allow to drain fully. I let them drain for about an hour, or if I’m making them in advance I’ll do this step overnight.
4. Saute the Ingredients
In a large saute pan, heat the oil and cook the onion for about 5 minutes until translucent. Then add the chopped serrano pepper, diced garlic, and cook for 2 more minutes. Then add the tomatoes and cook for three more minutes. Add the cooked nopales and salt. Saute until ehated through and the flavors combine, about 5 minutes. Add cilantro and remove from heat.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. This nopales salad is delicious on its own, but I love topping it with cheese and scooping it into warm tortillas or piling it on tostadas.
The Best Ways to Eat Nopalitos
There are so many ways to enjoy nopalitos beyond salad. Here are a few of my favorites:
Nopalitos Tacos
Warm up corn tortillas and fill them with nopalitos, queso fresco, avocado, and salsa. Super simple and delicious.
Nopalitos Tostadas
Spread refried beans onto crispy tostadas and top with nopales salad, cheese, and hot sauce. This is one of my favorite quick dinners.
Nopales with Eggs
Scramble cooked nopales with eggs and onions for an easy breakfast that’s healthy and satisfying.
Nopalitos with Chorizo
Adding spicy chorizo gives the dish a deep savory flavor and turns it into a heartier meal that’s perfect for dinner.
Tips for the Best Nopalitos
- Rinse the nopales well after boiling to improve texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the tomatoes. They should still be juicy and chunky.
Why You’ll Love Nopales Salad
If you’ve been curious about making nopalitos, this recipe is a perfect place to start. They’re healthy, affordable and versatile. Whether you enjoy them as a fresh nopales salad, stuffed into tacos, layered onto tostadas, or mixed with eggs for breakfast, there are so many delicious ways to make them part of your weekly meals.
I love that this dish feels comforting and nourishing at the same time.
If you try this nopalitos recipe, let me know how it went. And if you grew up eating nopales, I’d love to hear how your family makes them!
Serve It With
This nopales recipe pairs well with so many things. Here are a few of my other recipes you can try making alongside it.
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