Southwest Black Bean Salad (Print Version)

Zesty black beans, corn, peppers, and cilantro tossed in lime dressing for a fresh, vibrant dish.

# 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

# How To Make:

01 - In a large bowl, mix black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro. Add avocado if desired.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
04 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, which means you can make it right before dinner without any stress or planning ahead.
  • The lime vinaigrette is bright enough to taste homemade but simple enough that you won't mess it up, even on a busy weeknight.
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors get cozy with each other in the fridge.
02 -
  • If you make this ahead, add the avocado right before serving because it browns quickly and you want it to stay that beautiful green color.
  • The longer this sits, the more the vinaigrette gets absorbed, which is wonderful if you love juicy salads but means you might want to keep extra dressing on the side.
03 -
  • Toasting the cumin in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding it to the vinaigrette intensifies its flavor and makes the whole thing taste more intentional.
  • A squeeze of lime juice right over the top right before serving brightens everything, even if you already dressed it with the vinaigrette.
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