Cowboy Caviar Bean Salad (Printer Version)

Vibrant bean and vegetable salad with zesty lime dressing—perfect for parties or as a flavorful side dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
04 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or thawed
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
09 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
12 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, corn kernels, red onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, ground cumin, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture. Gently toss to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop.
05 - Serve chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips, as a side salad, or as a topping for grilled meats.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes better the next day, which means less stress when youre hosting.
  • Every bite has texture, color, and a bright punch of flavor that wakes up your taste buds.
  • You can serve it three different ways and nobody will ever guess its the same dish.
02 -
  • If you skip the resting time, it will taste flat and one-dimensional, patience is not optional here.
  • Dont add avocado until right before serving or it will turn brown and sad in the fridge.
03 -
  • Let the diced onion soak in the lime juice for ten minutes before adding everything else, it takes the sharp edge off.
  • Use a jar with a lid to shake the dressing instead of whisking, it emulsifies faster and you have one less dish to wash.
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