Southwest Black Bean Salad (Print)

Zesty black beans, corn, peppers, and cilantro in lime vinaigrette for a fresh, vibrant salad.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 1 medium avocado, diced (optional)

→ Lime Vinaigrette

08 - 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro. Add diced avocado if desired.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to blend flavors.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, no cooking required, so you're never stuck over a stove.
  • The flavors actually improve as they sit, so you can make it ahead and let it get even better.
  • It works as a side dish, a light lunch, or stuffed into tacos—whatever your day needs.
02 -
  • Don't add avocado until you're ready to serve—it browns quickly and its soft texture disappears into the other ingredients.
  • The vinaigrette will seem minimal at first, but as it sits, it seasons the beans and vegetables more deeply than you'd expect.
03 -
  • If the salad seems dry when you serve it, don't add more vinaigrette to the whole bowl—whisk a little extra on the side and let people dress their own portions.
  • The secret to this tasting restaurant-good is letting the lime juice sit on the minced garlic for a minute before whisking in the oil—it blooms the flavor.
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