Southwest Black Bean Salad

Benefits of Black Beans

Black beans are a great source of protein, fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals.

They make a healthy delicious meatless meal as they are an excellent source of protein, with 1 cup supplying about 30% of your daily protein requirement.

Black beans' nutritional value doesn't end there. They also contain high percentages of iron and folate, and provide health benefits to the colon and digestive tract.

Studies show that you should be eating at least 3 cups of legumes a week for optimal health and this dish goes a long way in helping you reach those goals.

Why You'll Love This Southwest Black Bean and Corn Salad

It's like Mexico in a bowl! Serve with your favorite chips as a lunch, light dinner or dip.

This black bean salad with corn and peppers has all the flavors you love - cilantro, lime juice, cayenne to add a zip, and avocado to add in some healthy fats.

This Southwestern Black Bean Salad will take you all the way through summer. It's great for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, barbecues on the back deck, or a light lunch.

How to Make Black Bean Salad

1. Place rinsed black beans, drained corn, bell pepper, onion, garlic, cilantro, and lime zest in a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle on sugar.
3. Add salt and cayenne pepper.
4. Pour on olive oil and lime juice.
5. Stir well. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours for flavors to blend.
6. Just before serving, add chopped avocado and toss carefully.

Tips for Making Southwest Bean Salad

• Be sure to rinse and drain the black beans before adding them to other ingredients. Rinsing them gets rid of the extra starch surrounding them as well as the sodium.
• Chop the bell pepper and onion into small pieces (dice) so they are about the same size as the black beans and corn.
• You can use any color of bell pepper. Red, orange, or yellow will boost the color and flavor.
• Smoky flavors rule in the summer so, if you are grilling the night before, throw on an extra ear of corn. In the morning cut off the kernels and add them to the salad in place of canned corn.
• Change out the yellow onion to a red onion for a stronger onion flavor and a nice pop of reddish-purple color. After all, we eat with our eyes too!
• Always use fresh limes, zest, and cilantro for the richest and freshest flavor.
• Add the avocado just prior to serving to prevent browning and softening.

Recipe Variations

• Add More Vegetables - Chopped cucumber and tomato are great choices. Tomatoes will make it like salsa.
• Add Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) - A corn black bean chickpea salad is a heartier vegetarian dish.
• Add Fruit - Stir in some chopped mango or pineapple. A mango black bean salad is quite popular.
• Add Pasta - Prepare any short pasta or orzo according to the package instructions. Stir it into the black bean mixture and serve it as a black bean pasta salad.
• Add Quinoa - Prepare quinoa according to the package instructions. Stir it into the black bean mixture and serve it as a black bean quinoa salad.
• Add Rice - Prepare white or brown rice and stir it into the black bean mixture.
• Spicy Black Bean Salad - Increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add diced jalapeno peppers.

More Ways to Eat This Healthy Salad

• Pile it on top of your cheese nachos and there's no need for salsa!
• Add it to tacos, burritos, or burgers such as my Smothered Chicken Burritos, Breakfast Tacos, or Chicken Burgers for a Mexican twist.
• Serve it as a side to quesadillas or mix it up in a taco salad.
• Use it to make vegetarian lettuce wraps.
• Over salad greens to make a delicious Southwestern black bean salad. Top it with chicken, crumbled feta, and tortilla strips to make a delightful black bean chicken salad. Or leave off the chicken for a meatless salad.
• And finally, serve it with tortilla chips for a tasty salsa!

How to Store Black Bean Corn Salad

Keep the prepared black bean and corn salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 4 days. Note the avocado may turn brown so you might want to remove the avocado from the leftovers.

If you want to freeze black bean salad leftovers, remove the avocado pieces then place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

More Delicious Salad Recipes

• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
• Red White and Blue Salad
• Roasted Corn Salad
• Rocket Salad
• Strawberry Chicken Salad

Find lots of easy and healthy salad recipes here on 2CM!