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ThisBlack Bean Saladis similar to a dish called 'cowboy caviar.' If you've never had that, it's canned beans in a vinaigrette loaded with flavor. The dressing has olive oil, oregano, green onions, and canned tomatoes with green chiles. This vinaigrette is so good on black beans!
This black bean salad is a riff on a recipe called 'cowboy caviar.' It's essentially a very chunky bean salsa with an incredibly delicious vinaigrette. It's loaded with beans, veggies, and has an oregano dressing that includes a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chiles.
You can scoop this black bean salad up with chips, or just eat it fresh with a spoon. I like it over chilled rice as a light and hearty lunch that just so happens to be vegan. This is the type of vegan food that you don't even notice is all vegetables because it is BURSTING with flavor.
You can absolutely use black eyed peas in place of the black beans here, and serve it with tortilla chips at a party, too! It's great alongside by Black Bean Dip.
How to Make Black Bean Salad
This recipe is so simple! You just need a few canned items: two cans of black beans and a can of Ro-tel, which is tomatoes canned with green chiles. Then, raid your pantry for basic vinaigrette ingredients: olive oil, limes, Tabasco, jalapeños, Worcestershire, garlic and oregano. The flavors here are similar to Cowboy Caviar.
I have to say: fresh oregano is INCREDIBLE here. It really makes the dish, but you can use dried instead. Fresh green onions (also called scallions), cilantro, and a yellow bell pepper diced very small provides so much crunch and flavor.
The Ingredients
- Olive Oil. We're eating this salad raw, so a delicious extra virgin olive oil that you normally use for salad dressing is preferred.
- Limes. Fresh lime juice is always better than bottled.
- Tabasco Hot Sauce. You can sub any vinegar-based hot sauce here. I recommend including it even if you don't like super spicy things, because the vinegar balances everything out.
- Worcestershire Sauce. Secret umami flavor here! If you want this recipe to be vegan, be sure to buy one labeled vegan.
- Garlic. Three cloves of fresh garlic, minced.
- Oregano. Fresh oregano sings in this dish so much! One full tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano, or 2 teaspoon dried.
- Black Beans. Two cans of black beans, drained and rinsed.
- Scallions. Also called green onions. You need 5.
- Cilantro.
- Jalapeños. If you don't like spicy food, you can leave these out. Or, you can include them, but scrape out all of the seeds and inner white membranes before dicing and using. Be sure to wear gloves when handling jalapeños, especially if you wear contacts!
- Canned Tomatoes with Green Chiles. One 10-ounce can of Ro-Tel--it can be mild or spicy, your choice! Do not drain the tomatoes--the juices flavor the whole salad.
- Yellow Bell Pepper. For supreme crunchiness in our salad.
The Directions
- Gather all ingredients, and have a serving bowl ready.
2. Combine the olive oil, lime juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in the bottom of the large serving bowl. Whisk this very well to combine.
3. Add the beans, sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, finely diced jalapeños, canned tomatoes with all of the juices, and diced bell pepper on top.
4. Stir everything to combine.
How many days does this black bean salad last?
This salad keeps fresh in the fridge (covered tightly) for up to 4 days. In fact, it gets better the second and third day as the black beans soak in the delicious vinaigrette! Do not freeze this dish, because the olive oil will separate in the dressing and be very strange upon defrosting.
Why is this bean salad good for you?
Since black beans are a super food high in antioxidants and fiber, and this salad is full of vegetables like tomatoes, bell pepper, green chiles, and scallions, I will say yes!
If you're looking for another bean salad, don't miss my Three Bean Salad. There are so many ways to enjoy beans in a tangy vinaigrette!
This recipe doesn't contain any corn; instead, it relies on bell pepper for sweetness and crunch. If you want one with corn, try my Black Bean and Corn Salsa.
- It's great served plain, with a spoon and some soft tortillas on the side.
- Serve it with crispy tortilla chips, especially the ones that are able to scoop up chunky dips.
- Scoop it over chilled rice and toss for a healthy, bright bean and rice salad for a light lunch.
- Place a thin layer on a large flour tortilla, top with shredded cheese and another tortilla to make a delicious bean and cheese quesadilla.
- Serve as a side dish with Vegetarian Enchiladas.
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Black Bean Salad
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Delicious black bean salad with an addictive vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon Tabasco (or other vinegar-based hot sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 16-ounce cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 5 scallions, sliced
- 1 cup of chopped cilantro (about ½ a bunch)
- 2 jalapeños, diced with seeds and membranes removed
- 1 (10-ounce) can of Ro-tel tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients, and have a large serving bowl ready.
- Make the vinaigrette: whisk the olive oil, lime juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in the bottom of the serving bowl.
- Add the beans, scallions, cilantro, jalapeños, tomatoes, and bell pepper on top, and stir to combine.
- Serve plain, with tortilla chips, or scooped over rice.
Notes
Olive Oil: Extra virgin, since we're making a vinaigrette.
Tabasco Hot Sauce: You can sub any vinegar-based hot sauce here.
Worcestershire Sauce:If you want this recipe to be vegan, be sure to buy one labeled vegan.
Oregano: Fresh oregano sings in this dish so much! One full tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano, or 2 teaspoon dried.
Jalapeños. To reduce spice, scrape out all of the seeds and inner white membranes before using. Be sure to wear gloves when handling!
Canned Tomatoes with Green Chiles: One 10-ounce can of Ro-Tel; do not drain. Use mild or spicy, your choice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 384Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 275mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 14gSugar: 2gProtein: 14g
