Reviewed: Jul. 29, 2009

I was in the produce department today and found fresh clean and cut cactus. So I brought some home and found this recipe -- thank goodness! I didn't think my boyfriend would like cactus (nopales) and he could not get enough! We ate every last morsel. I rinsed the raw cactus beforehand and left out the jalapeno (just didn't feel like heat tonight). Eating it raw in this salad is really good and I've had it this way before. Didn't have time to let the flavors meld since it was last minute but it didn't matter because it was so flavorful, fresh tasting and low calorie. We're trying to incorporate lowfat dishes in our diet so this was a heart-healthy surprise and I will make this many more times to come!

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RUTHIEV

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: North Highlands, California, USA

Living In: Castro Valley, California, USA

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Reviewed: Apr. 3, 2009

Just what I was looking for! I had bought the cactus salad at our local hispanic grocery store and wanted to find a recipe to duplicate it. Perfect!! The only things I changed was substituted lime juice for the lemon juice. Yummy!! Thanks to all that said to rinse, rinse, rinse the cactus!

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BUBINK

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Living In: Bellevue, Nebraska, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 11, 2009

Good! I cooked a roast in the crock pot. Then when the meat was finished I shredded the meat. Put the salad on the meat...so good!

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april

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Moundville, Alabama, USA

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Reviewed: Mar. 22, 2008

My family has been making this salad for years. My father doesnt like cilantro, and others not a fan of raw onions, so both are placed on the side if someone wishes to add them in. However, we do add avocado. Just dice it up and toss it in with the other ingredients. It adds so much more to this salad.

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SushiMoochi

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Reviewed: Jul. 31, 2007

Ok, you absolutely HAVE to drain and rinse the cactus - straight out of the jar, they are SO salty, and unbelievably slimey. I had to rinse them 5 or 6 times before they weren't horrid. Also, this is really only good an hour or two after it is made. I LOVED it just as soon as it was chilled, but I tried it the next day, and it was awful.

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Caroline C

Cooking Level: Expert

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Reviewed: Jul. 25, 2007

I really liked this! Like other reviews mentioned, I made sure I rinsed, drained and dried the cactus before adding it to the rest of the salad. It was my first time trying cactus, and I found it's pretty good! I can't wait to make this again.

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{ Heidi }

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Wheaton, Illinois, USA

Living In: Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 9, 2007

This has a cool fresh taste. Having used nopales in other dishes I knew to rinse before using, and used 1 clove of fresh garlic making this a great side.

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Debbwl56

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Sacramento, California, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 10, 2007

Maybe I did something wrong but it tasted like turpentine. Will not be making this again.

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patty

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Nov. 2, 2006

I thought it was a good, but not remarkable SALSA. It didn't really strike me as a salad, at all. I also had a problem with slime. I used fresh nopale that I grilled on the BBQ, not from a can.

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Cal

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Sep. 3, 2006

I did drain & rinse my cactus & didn't experience the sliminess that others had a problem with. My cactus also had peppers already added so I didn't add any more...I just sliced up one of the serranos jarred in w/ the cactus. This was just OK for us...it was definitely something different ... I might like it better once I become more acquainted w/ it. I cut wayy back on the cilantro because it's flavor can be so overwhelming ... I used fresh minced garlic & sprinkled w/ a bit of kosher salt.

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IMVINTAGE

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Living In: Keller, Texas, USA

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Reviewed: May 7, 2006

This is GREAT! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I did not add the jalapeno peppers because my jar of nopales had the jalapeno. My husband and I love this.

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keylimeone

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Reviewed: Mar. 28, 2006

Thanks, Lupe! What a great recipe. I followed it exactly and served with the Southwestern Chicken with Lime Butter.

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samiki

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Reviewed: Feb. 3, 2006

I grew up with "Nopalitos" and as another reviewer stated it important to DRAIN off & RINSE the slime. In my family we use canned sliced jalapenos and sprinkled the juice over the nopalitos too. The amount you use is up to you cuz it could vary from mild to hot. We add approx 1 tsp. crushed oregano, I make this as a summer salad along with carne asada. Remember to refrigerate before serving. Absolutely delicious.

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RL5

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Los Angeles, California, USA

Living In: Whittier, California, USA

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Reviewed: Aug. 2, 2005

The instructions were right on and very easy. This salad was delicious on day one, and I served the leftovers over brown rice noodles with shrimp the second night and it was just great with that too. Will definitely be making this again.

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ksd

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Reviewed: Feb. 25, 2005

The first time I tried this recipe I was hooked. I don't use jalapenos and I make sure to rinse the cactus *well* to avoid sliminess. Great recipe!!!

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MNMELISSA

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Reviewed: Nov. 17, 2004

I found this salad to be quite addictive. I didn't think the garlic salt was necessary but then I was eating it with tortilla chips, so that could be why. Next time I will chop the cactus smaller and eliminate the jalepenos (there were peppers in my can of cactus which made it plenty hot).

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Pesco

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 27, 2003

Larry did not like the slime caused by the aloe. Is cactus something I should eat since I can't have aloe?

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NANCYWHITLOCK

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Reviewed: Dec. 11, 2002

I love this stuff! I have made it for several parties and it always goes over very well. You should rinse off the cactus though, or atleast drain very well. Good stuff! Give it a try!

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DOWENSNEWLAND

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Reviewed: Mar. 23, 2001

You might want to drain and rinse the cactus before adding it to the mix, otherwise it has a very slimy affect.

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JENA-RATOR

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Southwestern Cactus Salad

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