Mexican-Style Black Bean Salad
A vibrant, refreshing, and protein-rich salad made with black beans, corn, fresh vegetables, lime dressing, and herbs. Perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or meal prep. It’s healthy, vegetarian, and full of flavor.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
No cooking required
Ingredients
For the Salad
1 can (400g) black beans, rinsed & drained
1 cup sweet corn
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1–2 tomatoes, diced (remove seeds for less moisture)
1–2 green chilies or jalapenos
¼ cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
½ avocado, diced
For the Dressing
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 large lime (or 2 small)
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
½ teaspoon cumin powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
Instructions
Prepare the Beans:
Rinse and drain your black beans well so the salad doesn’t become watery.
Chop the Veggies:
Cut cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, and chilies into small pieces.
Mix the Salad:
In a large bowl add:
black beans
corn
all chopped vegetables
coriander
avocado (add last so it doesn’t mash)
Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl whisk together:
olive oil
lime juice
honey
cumin
salt
pepper
chili flakes
garlic
Combine:
Pour the dressing over the salad and mix gently.
Taste & Adjust:
Add more lime, salt, or pepper if needed.
Serve:
Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for even better flavor.
Chef Notes
If you don’t have black beans, you can use kidney beans or chickpeas.
Adding avocado makes the salad creamy but add it just before serving.
Add lettuce if you want a lighter, crunchier salad.
Tips
For extra flavor, add a little taco seasoning or paprika.
For a creamy version, mix in 2 tbsp Greek yogurt.
For crunch, add tortilla chips on top before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I store this salad?
Yes, up to 2 days in the fridge (without avocado).
Q: Is it healthy?
Very! High fiber, high protein, low fat.
Q: Can I make it spicy?
Add green chilies, jalapenos, or a pinch of chili powder.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 220–250
Protein: 10–12g
Carbs: 28–32g
Fiber: 8–10g
Fat: 8–10g