Black Bean and Bell Pepper Salad with Date Dressing

Bursting with vibrant colors and bold flavors, this Black Bean and Bell Pepper Salad with Date Dressing is a wholesome, nutrient-packed dish that's as visually stunning as it is delicious. Featuring a medley of crunchy red, yellow, and green bell peppers, protein-rich black beans, and a hint of freshness from cilantro, this salad is crowned with a unique, naturally sweet date dressing infused with apple cider vinegar, garlic, and cumin. Perfect for a quick lunch, dinner side, or meal prep, this no-cook salad takes just 20 minutes to make and offers an enticing balance of sweet, savory, and zesty notes. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, it’s a gluten-free, vegan-friendly masterpiece that will elevate any table.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Black beans (cooked or canned, rinsed and drained)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 1 medium Yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium Green bell pepper
• 0.5 medium Red onion
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro leaves
• 4 large Medjool dates (pitted)
• 3 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Water
• 1 small Garlic clove
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

1. Prepare the vegetables: Dice the red, yellow, and green bell peppers into small, bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the red onion and fresh cilantro leaves. Set them aside.

Step 2

2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked black beans, diced bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro. Mix gently to combine.

Step 3

3. Make the date dressing: In a blender or small food processor, add the pitted Medjool dates, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, water, garlic clove, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

4. Blend the dressing until smooth, adding additional water 1 tablespoon at a time if it’s too thick. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

Step 5

5. Pour the date dressing over the black bean and bell pepper mixture. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss the salad to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

6. Let the salad rest for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

7. Serve chilled or at room temperature. This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(614.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	397.0

Total Fat 30.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1223.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 28.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.9g	0%
Total Sugars 7.2g
Protein 5.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 108.1mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 1072.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.0%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 27.5%