This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
Cherry Chipotle Salad has an explosion of flavors. You get the sweetness of the cherries and finish with a nice chipotle kick. It’s a perfect make-ahead salad.
Recently, we were lucky enough to get together with some friends that we haven’t seen in several years. They were coming to town and would be staying with relatives. They wanted to have a Mexican theme potluck, our favorite and would be making tacos. I thought that I would try my Cherry Chipotle Salad out on them.
I didn’t want something that would need to be refrigerated or wilt in the heat. We loved the chipotle flavors in my Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Taco recipe and have received a lot of compliments on it. So I decided that I could put the same flavors in a salad.
I actually made this salad the day before we needed it. The longer it sits, the more the heat develops. We kept it in a cooler and loved it and believe everyone else did too.
Don’t have time to make this salad right now? Pin it for later!
Cherry Chipotle Salad
Author: Hostess At Heart
Cherry Chipotle Salad is an explosion of flavor. It starts with the sweetness of the cherries and finishes with a chipotle kick. It's a great make-ahead dish.
Bring 2 cups of water and 1 cup of bulgur to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain if necessary. Set aside and allow to cool.
Combine chipotle paste ingredients and process in a blender or food processor until thick.
Mix cooked bulgur, oil, lime juice, and chipotle paste together. Stir until combined.
Add all remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
You can use rice or another whole grain instead of bulgur wheat.It's easier to mix this salad together in two stages as instructed.Add additional chipotle paste if you like it spicier.
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
There are a lot of dishes that I’ve eaten where I feel the chipotle just takes over. This salad is the complete balance of flavors and texture. The little can of chipotle actually holds more than you need for this one recipe. Instead of letting them go to waste I make a double batch and freeze half of it. I love having it on hand. It’s like my little pot of culinary gold that I can pop out at a moments notice. It’s great mixed in dips or slathered over chicken too.
Here are a couple other chipotle dishes that we love!
Let’s keep in touch!You can find me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! Better yet, enter your email address in the box below and never miss a recipe!
hi Julie
I did the salad. I didn’t have the same ingredients so I changed it slightly but it was just as delicious as I thought it would be when I read your recipe, https://bit.ly/29IPU1l! Thank you for sharing!
I hope your week is good ๐
The chipotle paste sounds very interesting to make. I love the flavor of chipotles when it’s combined with the right ingredients. Sounds delicious Julie… I’m the one who buys the 10 pound box of dried cherries and freezes them, waiting for the perfect recipe.
I tried to comment a few times earlier and have trouble navigating through your site – not sure why. Probably my computer!
Thank you Judi! I really like cherries too and make more paste than I needed and froze it in small containers. That really helps when I need it. I’ve never seen a 10lb box of dried cherries! I would probably buy them too. I love putting them in granola too. If you have any trouble getting through my site in the future please let me know.
This looks wonderful, Julie! I really love chipotle, but hadn’t ever thought to put those flavors in a salad. That is such a great idea. The chipotle paste must be so flavorful with all of those tasty ingredients in it. Can’t wait to try this!
Thank you Shari! I made enough paste to use the whole can and then just froze it in small containers so nothing would go to waste. We really enjoyed this one.
It’s a really great sounding salad and love how it gets better when it sits overnight. I love cherries, fresh or dried or chocolate covered. Just give me that bowl and a spoon and I will be happy.
Can I use parsley as cilantro tastes like soap for us, thanks. I would love to try this salad.
You sure can, Linda!
It’s cherry season … what about substituting fresh cherries for dried?
Absolutely Peg! That would be delicious in this salad.
This salad looks phenomenal! Totally perfect for summer entertaining!! #want
Thank you Lisa! It is a yummy salad and great for summer entertaining.
Hi Julie
This salad looks absolutely stunning! I almost drooled when reading the ingredients! A must try! Lucky guests ๐
Thank you Petra!
hi Julie
I did the salad. I didn’t have the same ingredients so I changed it slightly but it was just as delicious as I thought it would be when I read your recipe, https://bit.ly/29IPU1l! Thank you for sharing!
I hope your week is good ๐
Thank you so much for letting me know Petra! I noticed you use bulgur too. I love it! Enjoy your weekend!
The chipotle paste sounds very interesting to make. I love the flavor of chipotles when it’s combined with the right ingredients. Sounds delicious Julie… I’m the one who buys the 10 pound box of dried cherries and freezes them, waiting for the perfect recipe.
I tried to comment a few times earlier and have trouble navigating through your site – not sure why. Probably my computer!
Thank you Judi! I really like cherries too and make more paste than I needed and froze it in small containers. That really helps when I need it. I’ve never seen a 10lb box of dried cherries! I would probably buy them too. I love putting them in granola too. If you have any trouble getting through my site in the future please let me know.
What a different and delicious sounding saladโฆlove your sweet and spicy combination of flavors.
Thank you so much Karen!
This looks wonderful, Julie! I really love chipotle, but hadn’t ever thought to put those flavors in a salad. That is such a great idea. The chipotle paste must be so flavorful with all of those tasty ingredients in it. Can’t wait to try this!
Thank you Shari! I made enough paste to use the whole can and then just froze it in small containers so nothing would go to waste. We really enjoyed this one.
This looks like a perfect summer salad! I love bulgur wheat, but don’t use it as much as I should. This looks like a great reason to use it!
Thank you Jenny! I’m a bulgur wheat lover too!
What a fiery, flavorful & fabulous salad! Love it! I love your new logo too! Have a great weekend!
Thank you Su! I hope you have a fabulous weekend too!
Love the flavors in this salad yummm
Thank you so much Lynz!
Love it all!!! All that fabulous flavour!!
Thank you Elaine! Happy FF!
What a brilliant combination. Yum!
Thank you Jenni! So glad you stopped by!
I just followed your salad! =)
This salad looks very refreshing and delicious Julie ๐
Thank you Jess! We really enjoyed it too.
Sounds like a great dish to take to a potluck Julie! Out of the ordinary with a ‘kick’ sounds like a winning combo!
It’s a really great sounding salad and love how it gets better when it sits overnight. I love cherries, fresh or dried or chocolate covered. Just give me that bowl and a spoon and I will be happy.
Thank you Suzanne. I love them too. I’ve been munching on Rainier cherries all week too.
I love the way this combination sounds. Love me some cherries!
Thank you Debbie! And they’re for us too.
This must have a big kick of spice Julie but it sounds great!
Thank you Johanne! It really is delish!