Southwest Side Dish

Bursting with vibrant colors and bold flavors, this Southwest Side Dish is the perfect addition to your next meal. Featuring sweet caramelized corn, hearty black beans, and crisp bell peppers, this recipe brings the essence of Southwestern cuisine to your table in just 25 minutes. A zesty lime-cilantro dressing infused with smoky paprika and cumin ties the dish together, while an optional kick of jalapeño adds just the right amount of spice. Serve this versatile side dish chilled or warm to complement grilled meats, tacos, or fresh salads, and watch it become a crowd favorite at any gathering. Perfect for weeknight dinners or festive occasions, this recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup black beans (cooked and rinsed)
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 medium lime (zested and juiced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium jalapeño (optional, finely diced)

Directions

Step 1

If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, ensure it is thawed and patted dry to remove excess moisture.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are slightly caramelized and lightly charred. Remove from heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

Dice the red and yellow bell peppers into small bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the red onion. Add the diced vegetables to the bowl with the corn.

Step 4

Rinse and drain the black beans thoroughly, then add them to the bowl.

Step 5

Finely chop the fresh cilantro and add it to the mixture.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Optionally, add the finely diced jalapeño for some heat.

Step 7

Pour the lime-cilantro dressing over the vegetables and toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to let the flavors meld, or serve immediately as a warm dish.

Step 9

Garnish with extra cilantro, if desired, and serve as a side for grilled meats, tacos, or as a topping for salads.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1130.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	958.4

Total Fat 35.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1262.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 149.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.2g	0%
Total Sugars 34.4g
Protein 32.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 137.4mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 2587.4mg	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: 30.6%

Protein: 12.3%

Carbs: 57.1%