When I’m looking for a simple salad to bring to a potluck or serve with dinner, I turn to salad recipes such as cucumber and tomato salad, caprese salad and this protein packed black bean salad. You can never go wrong with a hearty bean salad. They’re colorful, easy to make, and always a big hit. I like to pair this black bean salad with seared scallops, Spanish chicken or sirloin steak for a memorable dinner.
Salad Ingredients
The base of this salad contains beans and vegetables including bell pepper, avocado corn, tomatoes, onions and jalapeno. The dressing is a combination of lime juice, olive oil, spices and a touch of honey.
How Do You Make Black Bean Salad?
This recipe starts with canned black beans, which are combined with tomatoes, jalapenos, bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, corn and avocado. Whisk together olive oil, lime juice and spices to make the dressing. Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Tips For The Perfect Salad
Be sure to drain and rinse your beans to remove any excess sodium. I typically use frozen thawed corn kernels, but you could use canned corn or even fresh corn on the cob. Not a fan of cilantro? Use sliced green onions instead. This recipe calls for removing the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno, which results in a mild salad with very little heat. If you prefer a spicier salad, leave some of the ribs and seeds in the peppers. I like to use orange bell pepper for added color, but you can use red or yellow pepper if you prefer.
Black Bean Salad Variations
I love to make this recipe as written, but you can absolutely add other ingredients to the mix to customize the flavors to your tastes.
Protein: Stir in some diced grilled chicken or small cooked shrimp to turn this salad into a main course. Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the mix such as shredded lettuce, diced cucumber, roasted green chiles or grilled zucchini. Cheese: I love to add a sprinkling of cheese such as crumbled cotija or cubed pepper jack.
I make this gluten-free salad regularly – it makes for a satisfying lunch that I can feel good about eating!
Black Bean Salad Video
