Southwestern 3 Bean Salad

Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Southwestern 3 Bean Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, barbecues, or a quick and healthy lunch. Packed with protein-rich black, kidney, and cannellini beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy red bell peppers, and zesty red onion, this hearty salad comes alive with a touch of fresh cilantro and a hint of optional jalapeño heat. Tossed in a tangy lime and olive oil dressing infused with cumin and chili powder, it’s a fiesta of southwestern-inspired flavor in every bite. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, this make-ahead recipe is perfect for meal prep and best served chilled, making it as convenient as it is delicious. Whether you’re searching for a vegan side dish or a gluten-free option, this protein-packed bean salad fits the bill beautifully!

Nutriscore Rating: 86/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Black beans (canned, drained, and rinsed)
• 1 cup Kidney beans (canned, drained, and rinsed)
• 1 cup Cannellini beans (canned, drained, and rinsed)
• 1 cup Corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 0.5 cup Red onion (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup Cilantro (fresh, chopped)
• 1 small Jalapeño (seeded and minced, optional)
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, kidney beans, and cannellini beans. Mix gently to avoid mashing them.

Step 2

Add the corn, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using). Toss gently to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lime juice, salt, or spices if desired.

Step 6

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a final toss and garnish with additional cilantro if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1464.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1315.9

Total Fat 49.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2354.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 181.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.3g	0%
Total Sugars 30.3g
Protein 51.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 354.6mg	0%
Iron 17.6mg	0%
Potassium 3437.0mg	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: 32.2%

Protein: 15.1%

Carbs: 52.8%