Southwest Chickpea Black Bean Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Southwest Chickpea Black Bean Salad featuring a zesty lime dressing, smoky spices, and a refreshing mix of beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado. Perfect as a nutritious side dish or a light main course, this salad combines bold flavors with simple preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 1, 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1, 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen fire roasted corn, thawed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
- 1 avocado, cubed
Dressing
- Zest of one lime
- Juice of 2 limes or 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 large clove of garlic, crushed or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder or Tajin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas, black beans, thawed fire roasted corn, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, jalapeno (if using), and minced cilantro. Gently mix to combine all salad base ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl or cup, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil (if using), maple syrup, crushed garlic or garlic powder, cumin, chili powder or Tajin, smoked paprika, and salt. Ensure the vinaigrette is well emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad base mixture. Gently toss everything together to evenly coat the beans and vegetables with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Place the dressed salad in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Avocado and Serve: Just before serving, gently fold in the cubed avocado to the chilled salad. Toss once more to incorporate the avocado, then serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Notes
- To keep the avocado from browning, add it just before serving.
- The jalapeno is optional and can be omitted or adjusted for heat preference.
- Use Tajin seasoning as an alternative to chili powder for a tangy twist.
- This salad can be served as a side dish or a standalone light meal.
- For a more filling meal, consider adding cooked quinoa or grilled chicken.
Keywords: chickpea salad, black bean salad, southwest salad, vegan salad, no cook salad, lime dressing, fire roasted corn, healthy salad
