I use black beans all year round. They’re delicious and versatile, and they’re also healthy. I’ll make a pot of black beans from scratch occasionally, which cost about a dollar, and then serve them in a variety of ways. Fortunately, everyone in my family loves black beans.
In the summer I tend to throw black beans along with other goodies together to make salads – especially when I have company. And it’s so surprising how well these salads go over. You can make them ahead of time and they’re so easy!!!
These black bean salads are vegetarian, but you can always serve grilled chicken or shrimp to top the salad, for those who desire more protein.
So here are three versions of a black bean salad.
Summer Black Bean Salad, version 1
2 cans black beans, well drained
1 can whole corn, well drained
1 fresh tomato, seeded, diced
1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper
Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley or basil
For this super easy salad, combine the black beans, corn and tomato together in a bowl. Add the tomato, the juice of the lemon, and the olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper and give everything a gentle toss. Sprinkle the salad with your herb of choice.
If you want, the salad can be made ahead of time and sit and room temperature up to an hour before serving. If you need to refrigerate the salad, don’t add the tomatoes until the last minute before serving, especially if you refrigerate the salad overnight. Toss again, taste for seasoning, and then serve at room temperature.
Summer Black Bean Salad, version 2
2 cans black beans, well drained
1 can whole corn, well drained
1 small zucchini, diced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 small purple onion, finely chopped
2 jalapenos, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
4 tablespoons olive oil
Chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons salt
Cayenne pepper, optional
In a large bowl, combine the beans, corn, zucchini, red bell pepper, tomatoes, purple onion, jalapeno and garlic. Toss together gently. Then add the lemon and lime juices, olive oil, cilantro, and seasoning. Toss again gently.
Cover and let sit at room temperature before serving, if so that the flavors come together. Then serve at room temperature.
Summer Black Bean Salad, version 3
This salad is mostly like salad version 2, but the dressing is different. For this one I used Green Goddess dressing, for creaminess.
Get creative with your black bean salad. Add avocado, grilled corn, roasted red bell peppers, green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, whatever you like. Trust me, it all works!
Black beans are so delicious. I had black beans with every meal when I went to Cuba!
Oh that must have been an exciting trip!!!
It was. I loved Havana!
Very Brazilian feel, I must say… I am quite intrigued by your black bean flan…
My Mom used to force me to have black bean soup once a week, saying it would make me grow tall. HA! THAT was a lie, we all know that, right? ;-)
I absolutely hated that soup, and now I wish I could try a bowl of that home-made delicacy… We do get wiser with time…
Yes, it’s true… I just mix pureed black beans with eggs and cream, seasoned, and cook them in a ramekin, so the presentation was really pretty. I turned them out of the ramekins.
So, are you tall?
I love this recipe..and your BOWLS! I have a thing about bowls..especially rice bowls. Now this is getting funny. Anyways keep it up! This is easy for me to make..but I think my husband should make his own dinner tonight considering I’m pretty sick.
Thank you again!
I think that was from Sur La Table. Hope you get to feeling better soon!!!
My nose isn’t as red. We have that store in Seattle! Love it!
Lovely. Our black beans will be ready to harvest soon. :)
Oh, you’ll have to tell me how that goes. If this is your first time growing them. I’ve never thought about growing legumes. Do they take up a lot of space?
They are in a raised bed, 3 x 6 feet. So we get several servings from them.
Very nice! I must look into this…
Oh, what a tasty looking salad!
you need to update your profile photo! I want to see what miss yummy looks like now!!!
We love black beans too! Lovely looking salads, chef Mimi!
Thanks. It’s also great when a salad is so healthy!
I love this! And the Goddess dressing would be the perfect complement! I love black beans…this is a must! :-)
Thanks! I’m kind of loving the Green Goddess dressing these days…
Am bookmarking these. They look so fresh and tasty!
R
It’s also nice when a meal is so healthy!
This looks delicious, chef mimi! I’m totally making version 3 with fresh avocado.
Ah yes. Version three is fabulous!!!
Very nice Mimi. Very nice indeed.
Thank you!
yum…looks just beautiful, I adore black beans and will have to make this soon… lovely post as always..sarah
Thank you Sara!
That looks so good!!!
Thanks!!!
My wife is always laughing at me for buying canned beans. Why do you buy them? she wants to know. Exactly for salads like this that I I can throw together in no time! Thanks. Ken
Absolutely! They’re really handy.