McDonald’s Southwest Salad Review | Is this Salad Any Good?

McDonald’s initially introduced the Southwest salad as a strategic move to offer customers healthier, lower-calorie food choices. However, its continued availability faced challenges in terms of freshness. Still, if you wish to know more, read the complete McDonald’s Southwest Salad review. 

The verdict on McDonald’s Southwest Salad is mixed because some appreciated its flavors, and others found it less appealing. It was discontinued during the pandemic to maintain the freshness and ensure consistent quality. 

This was just the overview of the McDonald’s Southwest Salad review. In the following articles, you will read about the ingredients in the salad, its taste, and the people’s reviews, and I will share some of my thoughts. 

What Is In A McDonald’s Southwest Salad? 

Before diving into the McDonald’s Southwest Salad review, let us take a look at the ingredients used in it. 

McDonald’s Southwest Salad Ingredients: 

1. Newman’s Own Ranch Dressing Ingredients

• Water
• Soybean Oil
• Corn Syrup Solids
• Buttermilk
• Distilled Vinegar
• Egg Yolks
• Salt
• Contains 2% Or Less: Sugar, Corn Starch, Chives, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Natural Flavors, Lactic Acid, Parsley, Xanthan Gum, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Butter. 

2. Salad Blend Ingredients:

• Romaine Lettuce Baby Spinach
• Carrots
• Baby Kale
• Lollo Rossa Lettuce
• Red Leaf Lettuce
• Red Oak Lettuce
• Red Tango Lettuce
• Red Romaine Lettuce
• Red Butter Lettuce

3. Artisan Grilled Chicken Fillet Ingredients: 

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat
• Water
• Salt
• Sugar
• Garlic Powder
• Lemon Juice Concentrate
• Honey
• Onion Powder
• Natural Flavor
• Dried Vinegar
• Rice Starch
• Grilled with Clarified Butter (Pasteurized Milk [Butterfat])

4. Southwest Vegetable Blend Ingredients: 

• Roasted Corn
• Black Beans
• Roasted Tomato
• Poblano Pepper
• Lime Juice (Water, Lime Juice Concentrate, Lime Oil)
• Cilantro.

5. Cilantro Lime Glaze Ingredients: 

• Water
• Corn Syrup Solids
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Sugar
• Distilled Vinegar
• Olive Oil
• Soybean Oil
• Freeze-Dried Orange Juice Concentrate
• Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Freeze-Dried Lime Juice Concentrate, Cilantro, Xanthan Gum, Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate), Garlic Powder, Spice, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Onion Powder, Citric Acid

6. Shredded Cheddar/Jack Cheese Ingredients

• Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [Color])
• Monterey Jack Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes)
• Potato Starch
• Corn Starch
• Dextrose
• Powdered Cellulose (Prevent Caking)
• Calcium Sulfate
• Natamycin (Natural Mold Inhibitor)
• Enzyme

7. Chili Lime Tortilla Strips Ingredients: 

• Corn
• Vegetable Oil (Corn, Soybean and Sunflower Oil)
• Salt
• Maltodextrin
• Sugar
• Dried Tomato
• Dextrose
• Spices
• Onion Powder
• Green Bell Pepper Powder
• Citric Acid
• Autolyzed Yeast Extract
• Malic Acid
• Paprika Extract (Color)
• Disodium Inosinate
• Disodium Guanylate
• Natural Flavor
• Lemon Extract
• Spice Extractive
• Grill Seasoning

Allergens: Milk, egg.

If you have a gluten allergy or if you’re seeking vegan menu choices, we recommend checking our allergen menu for a more comprehensive understanding.

How Does McDonald’s Southwest Salad Taste? 

The McDonald’s Southwest Salad is known for its savory, spicy, fresh flavors. The base of the salad is typically a mix of new, crispy lettuce leaves, bringing out a mild, refreshing, and slightly earthy taste. 

The grilled chicken in the salad is usually seasoned with spices. It adds a savory and slightly smoky flavor to the salad, complementing the greens. On top of that, the black beans and corn contribute a sweet and somewhat nutty taste. 

Moreover, the cilantro-lime dressing amps up the flavors in Southwest Salad. It adds a zesty and slightly tangy kick to the salad with a hint of cilantro’s herbal freshness

Please note that taste can be somewhat subjective, so individual experiences may vary. However, the above was a general description of the flavors you can expect.

What Do People Say About McDonald’s Southwest Salad? 

The southwest salad is one of the restaurant’s best salads because most customers have had relatively great experiences with them. 

On a platform named followmefoodie.com, where people give reviews of food and more, here is what some people have had to say about McDonald’s Southwest Salad. 

“I prefer the grilled over the crispy… not because it’s healthier but because I couldn’t taste the chili lime glaze at all in this. All I could taste was the seasoning from the crispy batter. It overpowered the glaze and was a bit too salty. The fried chicken adds extra crunch, but the salad was crunchy enough with the tortilla chips, so I didn’t find the added crispiness necessary. Besides, the show’s star is the chili lime glaze, so I wanted to taste that.”

Further, here is what snack-girl.com had to say about McDonald’s Southwest Salad:

“You can order the salad EXACTLY the way you want it. And their website allows you to customize your calorie choices. The Southwest salad section of their site has a nutrition box where you can change the ingredients in your salad to get it to an optimal calorie amount. McDonald’s seems to have been listening to the healthy eaters out there.”

Moreover, this is what tripadvisor.com has to say about the McDonald’s Southwest Salad:

“Chicken, Black beans, corn & cheese with a terrific southwest dressing. I will run into a McDonald’s to grab this salad every chance I get. I have been eating this awesome salad at McDonald’s for a few years now. I don’t miss the big burgers now; instead, I’m opting for a healthier, filling, and awesomely delicious meal. Give it a try.”

Furthermore, here is what business insiders had to say about the McDonald’s Southwest Salad when they tried it out, 

“I went for grilled chicken for the vaguely Tex-Mex-themed salad; it felt right. This whole salad feels right. I never would have expected a McDonald’s salad to be so satisfying. It’s the same greens mix as the other salad, tortilla strips, beans, corn, chicken, Newman’s Own “Southwest” dressing, even a lime wedge — this is impressive.”

What Are My Thoughts On McDonald’s Southwest Salad?

McDonald’s Southwest Salad is a relatively healthier yet tastier option among the items offered on their menu. I found the salad’s presence of veggies and grilled chicken very intriguing. Moreover, the taste was refreshing and earthy. 

One of Southwest Salad’s standout features is its variety of flavors. The colorful veggies tossed in the salad, like tomatoes and red bell peppers, add a refreshing and crunchy element to the dish.

The grilled chicken in the Southwest Salad serves as a source of protein, making it a satisfying meal option for those looking for a healthier fast food choice. Above that, including tortilla strips provide a pleasing contrast in texture. These strips are crunchy and slightly salty, complementing the softer ingredients in the salad. 

The spiciness of the Southwest Salad can vary depending on the amount of seasoning added as per your taste. Some may find it mildly spicy, while others perceive it as more intense. This spiciness can add excitement to the flavor. 

Is McDonald’s Southwest Salad Healthy? 

McDonald’s Southwest Salad is healthy. The calorie count is nominal, and no trans fat is present. However, it is also essential to know that the McDonald’s Southwest Salad is healthy only if eaten in a controlled manner. 

For a better understanding, here are the nutritional values of McDonald’s Southwest Salad: 

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	470 Cal
Carbohydrates	34 g
Protein	34 g
Fat	23 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Trans Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	115 mg
Sodium	1380 mg
Potassium	94 mg
Calcium	150 mg
Iron	3 mg
Dietary Fiber	7 g
Total sugar	12 g

The calorie count of McDonald’s Southwest Salad is average if you want to include it in your meal. It has dietary fibers added. However, the sugar number is a matter of concern.

Can You Make A Better Version Of McDonald’s Southwest Salad At Home? 

You can make a better version of McDonald’s Southwest Salad at home. You can easily make them much healthier if you switch out some of the ingredients used in the McDonald’s Southwest Salad with better ones.

Doing this will reduce the sugar content, and you can cook according to your preferences. To make a better southwest salad at home, have a look at McDonald’s Southwest Salad recipe! 

Conclusion

McDonald’s Southwest Salad can be considered as the best salad options at McDonald’s that were available before. As the fast food chain no longer offers the southwest salad, you can make the better alternative at home.

McDonald’s does have more options for you if you are a health freak. Start by checking out the reviews of McDonald’s Chicken Wrap, McDonald’s Steak Egg and Cheese Bagel, McDonald’s Oatmeal, and McDonald’s Oatmeal Cookies.

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