She Strengthens

Year-Round Delights: 4 Refreshing Bean Salad Recipes

Bean salads are a staple in many cuisines, and for good reason. They’re incredibly versatile, nutritious, and can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a colorful party dish, or a healthy meal prep option, bean salads are the perfect solution.

Mexican Black Bean Salad: A Flavorful Fiesta

This vibrant salad is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring sweet tomatoes, zesty peppers, and fresh cilantro. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a dip with corn chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
• ½ sweet onion, peeled and diced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, rinsed and chopped
• 1 can (15-ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Combine the tomato, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, and black beans in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
3. Add the dressing to the vegetables and gently toss to mix.
4. Season to taste, adding more black pepper or salt if needed.

Garbanzo Greek Salad: A Classic Twist

This simple yet flavorful salad is a refreshing take on the classic Greek salad, featuring garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas) as the star of the show. Serve it as a meal on its own or paired with pita bread or steamed quinoa.

Ingredients:

• 1 English cucumber
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• ½ small red onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 can (16-ounce) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 ounces feta cheese, drained and crumbled (optional)
• ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, drained (optional)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper

Directions:

1. Slice the cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
2. Combine the cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, onion, and chickpeas in a large bowl.
3. Add the feta cheese and black olives, if using.
4. Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
5. Add the dressing to the vegetables and gently toss to mix.
6. Season to taste, adding salt or black pepper if needed.

Southern Succotash Salad: A Summer Staple

This colorful salad is bursting with summer-fresh flavors, featuring corn, tomatoes, and basil. But don’t wait until summer to enjoy it – canned beans and frozen corn make it easy to whip up at any time of year.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ sweet onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 can (16-ounce) baby butter beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup fresh basil, rinsed and thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onion until soft and translucent.
2. Add the corn and baby butter beans to the saucepan and cook until the corn is crisp-tender.
3. Combine the onion, corn, baby butter beans, tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
4. Gently toss to combine and season to taste.
5. Sprinkle with sliced basil before serving.

More Delicious Bean Salad Recipes to Try

From Italian-inspired Tuna and Cannellini Bean Salad to tropical Black Bean and Mango Salad, there are countless ways to combine beans with veggies, seasonings, and garnishes. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to find your new favorite bean salad recipe!