Cool Beans Salad Recipe
A refreshing and protein-packed Cool Beans Salad featuring a tangy olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing with fragrant spices, mixed with basmati rice, kidney beans, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables. This make-ahead salad is perfect as a light meal or a vibrant side dish.
- Author: Isabella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Salad
- 3 cups cooked basmati rice
- 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 small sweet red pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, salt, ground cumin, chili powder, and pepper until the sugar dissolves and the dressing is well combined.
- Combine the Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked basmati rice, rinsed kidney beans, black beans, thawed corn, sliced green onions, chopped sweet red pepper, and minced fresh cilantro to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss the Salad: Gently toss all ingredients to ensure everything is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the salad to cool.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly cooked and cooled basmati rice rather than warm rice to prevent sogginess.
- This salad can be made a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to add diced avocado or a squeeze of lime for extra freshness.
- You can substitute the black beans or kidney beans with other varieties like chickpeas or cannellini beans.
- Adjust the chili powder quantity according to your preferred spice level.
Keywords: Cool Beans Salad, bean salad, rice salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad, make-ahead salad, easy salad recipe