Description
Southwest chickpea and black bean salad delivers zesty Mexican-inspired flavors in one refreshing dish. Crisp vegetables, hearty beans, and tangy lime dressing create a perfect summer meal packed with protein and bold southwestern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen fire roasted corn, thawed
- 1 avocado, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Vegetables and Herbs:
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
- ¼ cup cilantro, minced
- 1 large clove of garlic, crushed
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 2 limes or ¼ cup lime juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or Tajin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Drain and rinse chickpeas and black beans thoroughly, ensuring no excess liquid remains to prevent diluting the salad’s vibrant flavors.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, combine the chickpeas, black beans, sweet corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and freshly chopped cilantro.
- Create a zesty vinaigrette by whisking together lime zest, tangy lime juice, robust olive oil, maple syrup for subtle sweetness, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of sea salt until the ingredients emulsify into a harmonious blend.
- Gently cascade the vinaigrette over the bean mixture, using a delicate folding technique to ensure each ingredient is evenly coated without crushing the delicate components.
- Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing the robust spices and bright citrus notes to intermingle and develop a complex flavor profile.
- Immediately before serving, incorporate creamy diced avocado, giving the salad a final tender toss to distribute the velvety chunks throughout the dish.
- Optional: Garnish with extra cilantro leaves or a sprinkle of additional chili powder for an added flavor dimension and visual appeal.
Notes
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to maintain maximum freshness and crisp textures.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting chili powder or adding diced jalapeños for an extra flavor kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg