Frontier Bean Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 6
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Welcome to a delightful fusion of flavors with our Frontier Bean Salad! This vibrant dish is perfect for a quick lunch, a picnic side, or a refreshing addition to your dinner table. Packed with wholesome ingredients, it's a celebration of taste and texture.

Ingredients for Frontier Bean Salad

Black beans and pinto beans provide a hearty, protein-packed base. Corn kernels add a touch of sweetness, while red bell pepper and green bell pepper bring crunch and color. Red onion gives a sharp, savory punch. Avocado offers creaminess, and cilantro infuses a fresh, herbal note. The dressing, made with olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt, and black pepper, perfectly balances the salad with its tangy and earthy flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • Rinse canned beans thoroughly to remove excess salt and improve flavor.
  • For an extra kick, add a minced jalapeño to the mix.
  • Prepare the salad a few hours ahead to let the flavors meld together even more.
  • If you’re prepping ahead, add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish for a light, nutritious meal. Try serving it with warm tortillas to make it feel like a fiesta. It’s also a fantastic topping for tacos or as a filling for burritos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just be sure to soak and cook them beforehand. You'll need about 1.5 cups of cooked beans.
How long will this salad keep in the fridge?
It’s best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Can I skip the cilantro?
Sure! If cilantro isn’t your thing, try substituting with fresh parsley or leave it out entirely.

Frontier Bean Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. Dump in the black beans and pinto beans. Make sure they’re well-drained and rinsed to get rid of any excess brine. Add the corn kernels next — if you’re using fresh corn, even better! Toss in the diced red bell pepper and green bell pepper for that extra crunch and color.

Now, finely chop your red onion. This ingredient is potent, so a fine chop is crucial to disperse its flavor throughout the salad without overpowering it. Add it to the bowl and give everything a gentle toss to mix.

In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt, and black pepper. This mixture should emulsify into a lovely dressing. Pour it over the bean and vegetable mixture. Use a large spoon to toss everything together until it’s evenly coated.

Right before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado and chopped cilantro. This ensures they stay fresh and vibrant. Voilà! Your Frontier Bean Salad is ready to serve.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare — ready in just 15 minutes.
  • Perfect for meal prep — flavors deepen overnight.
  • Rich in fiber and protein, keeping you full and satisfied.
  • Customizable with your favorite vegetables and beans.
  • Bright, zesty dressing that ties everything together.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or canned
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, pinto beans, corn, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and red onion.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture, and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
4. Gently fold in the diced avocado and chopped cilantro just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.

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