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dense bean salad recipe

Dense Bean Salad Recipe – Hearty, Healthy & Packed with Flavor

This easy dense bean salad recipe is packed with black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, fresh veggies, and zesty lime dressing. No cooking required — ready in 20 minutes! Perfect for meal prep, lunches, or as a healthy side dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish, Lunch, Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean, American, Vegetarian, Vegan
Servings 4 people
Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • A red bell pepper diced for crunch and color
  • A cucumber chopped for juiciness and freshness
  • A handful of cherry tomatoes halved for a sweet pop
  • A small amount of red onion finely chopped for a little bite
  • A splash of corn kernels — canned frozen, or fresh all work great

Notes

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Dense Bean Salad

Total Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
No Cooking Required!
 

Step 1: Rinse and Drain the Beans

Open each can of black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas. Pour into a colander and rinse under cold water for about 30 seconds. Let drain completely.
 
💡 Tip: Rinsing removes excess salt and helps the beans absorb the dressing better.

Step 2: Chop the Vegetables

While the beans are draining, wash and chop:
  • Red bell pepper : Remove seeds and dice into small cubes.
  • Cucumber : Wash thoroughly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  • Cherry tomatoes : Cut in half for juiciness.
  • Red onion : Finely chop to avoid overpowering the salad.
 

Step 3: Prep the Herbs

Wash the cilantro or parsley under cool water, pat dry with a towel or paper towels, and finely chop.
 

Step 4: Combine All Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add:
  • All rinsed beans
  • Chopped veggies (bell pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion)
  • Corn kernels
  • Fresh herbs
 
Gently toss together with a spoon or spatula.
 

Step 5: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, mix:
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2–3 tablespoons lime juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
 
Optional: Add a pinch of cumin or chili powder for extra flavor.
 
Shake or whisk until fully combined.
 

Step 6: Toss with Dressing

Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
 
🕒 Pro Tip: Letting the salad sit for 10–15 minutes allows the flavors to blend beautifully!

Step 7: Taste and Adjust Seasoning

Give the salad a quick taste. If needed, add more salt, lime juice, or herbs to match your flavor preferences.
 

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve chilled or at room temperature. You can enjoy it:
  • On its own as a light meal
  • Over quinoa or rice for added carbs
  • With grilled chicken or avocado for a complete dish