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Fresh Southwest Black Bean Corn Salad with Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette

Fresh Southwest Black Bean Corn Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy salad combining black beans, corn, avocado, and fresh veggies tossed in a zesty lime cilantro vinaigrette. Perfect for a light meal or side dish with a fresh, vibrant Southwest flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sweet corn, fresh or frozen and thawed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain the black beans well to avoid watery salad.
  2. If using fresh corn, shuck and slice kernels off the cob.
  3. Dice the red bell pepper and halve the cherry tomatoes.
  4. Mince the red onion finely to keep its sharpness from overpowering the salad.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
  7. Gently fold in the diced avocado, being careful to keep the chunks intact for texture.
  8. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  9. Optional: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to let flavors meld.
  10. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lime juice. Add minced jalapeño for heat if desired.

Notes

Rinse canned black beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and starch. Use ripe but firm avocado to avoid mushiness. For a milder taste, swap olive oil for avocado oil. Add jalapeño or cayenne pepper for heat. Chill salad before serving to meld flavors or serve immediately for freshness. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; add lime juice before serving again to refresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: black bean salad, southwest salad, corn salad, lime cilantro vinaigrette, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, avocado salad, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/fresh-southwest-black-bean-corn-salad-recipe-easy-healthy-lime-cilantro-vinaigrette/