How to Clean Nopales

Learn how to clean nopales like a pro with my step-by-step guide accompanied by helpful photos. All you need is a good knife to perfect the technique of removing the thorns and edges from cactus paddles so that you can begin to incorporate this delicious and nutritious ingredient into more meals. They’re perfect for meatless Mexican recipes, too!

WHAT ARE NOPALES?

Nopales are the flat, oval-shaped pads or paddles of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia genus). They are a common ingredient in Mexican and southwestern cuisine where they are cooked or blended into agua fresca and jugos. A few more fun facts about nopales:

• Flavor: Cactus flavor is often described as tangy and slightly citrusy
• Texture: Nopales are known for their unique texture, similar to green beans, and release a slimy liquid, we call “baba,” when cooked
• Nutrients: They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING CACTUS?

Dishes with nopales can be found on restaurant menus throughout Mexico and nopal recipes are growing in popularity in the U.S. One reason may be due to the health benefits of nopales. Cactus paddle is:

• Rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins A and C, as well as minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
• High in dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health, helps maintain a feeling of fullness, and supports a healthy weight.
• Helps control blood sugar, some studies suggest that nopales may help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a potential dietary choice for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes.
• Low in calories, making them a nutritious addition to meals without contributing to excessive calorie intake.
• Contains antioxidant properties that help neutralize free radicals in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting overall health.

WHERE TO BUY NOPALES

Find these in Latin or Mexican markets, some grocery stores (in the fresh produce section), or harvested from prickly pear cactus plants. They are usually sold as whole paddles, which require cleaning, or cleaned and chopped in small bags.

HOW TO CLEAN NOPALES

Before learning how to cook with cactus paddle, it’s essential to learn how to clean nopales because not everybody has access to the freshly cleaned and chopped cactus that is available in some Mexican grocery stores. Also, if you’re lucky to live in an area where cactus grows, you can pick and clean your own paddles!

Step 1

Preparation: Put on your kitchen gloves or use a kitchen towel or tongs to protect your hands from the prickly spines. Nopales have tiny, hair-like thorns that can be irritating.

Step 2

Remove the thorns: Hold the cactus paddle to keep it steady. Then, use a knife to carefully remove the thorns, gliding it upwards, in the opposite direction that they grow. 

Step 3

Trim the edges: Place the cactus pad on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim off the edges.

Step 4

Remove base: Cut away both the thorny edges and the base of the pad.

Step 5

Rinse: Check for any thorns you may have missed before rinsing the nopales under running water to remove any dirt or residual spines. 

Step 6

Slice or chop: Once the nopales are peeled and cleaned, you can slice or chop them according to your recipe’s requirements.

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

• Ensalada de Nopales (Cactus Salad)
• Going Green with Cactus Ceviche
• Agua de Tuna (Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
• Jugo Verde (Mexican Green Juice)
• When to Harvest Tomatillos + Best Tomatillo Salsa Recipes
• Tijuana Caesar Salad
• Nopalitos and Red Pepper Salad
• Cactus Pineapple Smoothie