Description
Savor summer’s freshness with this zesty black bean and corn salad, blending southwestern flavors into a perfect light meal. Quick, healthy, and packed with protein, you’ll love this colorful dish that brings sunshine to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (15 ounces) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 2 medium roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 medium avocados, diced
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1/2 cup minced red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves minced garlic
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare corn by microwaving in a microwave-safe bowl for 3-4 minutes, stirring every minute until warmed through and no longer frozen.
- Carefully dice roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, and ripe avocados into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring consistent texture and appearance.
- Finely mince red onion and chop fresh cilantro to release aromatic flavors and enhance the salad’s overall profile.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine thawed corn, drained and rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, avocados, minced onion, and chopped cilantro.
- Create dressing by whisking lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes in a separate small bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over salad ingredients and gently toss to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.
- Allow salad to rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to let ingredients marinate and flavors meld together before serving.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm avocados to maintain texture and prevent mushiness in the salad.
- Rinse black beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and remove excess starch for a cleaner taste.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – add more for spice lovers or reduce for milder palates.
- Consider making this salad ahead of time, as flavors develop and intensify when chilled for an hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg