Southwest Black Bean Salad with Avocado and Sherry Vinaigrette

This healthy summer salad can be served in lettuce cups or rolled into a whole-wheat tortilla for a quick grab-and-go wrap. The fresh and colorful summer vegetables mixed with creamy black beans and avocado dressing make for a healthy dish kids and adults alike will enjoy. To download a Spanish translation of this recipe click here.

Course: Salads

Cuisine: Regional American

Bean type: Black Bean

Nutrition attribute: Vegetarian

Collection: Chef Creation, Video

Servings:

Calories: 305kcal

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Ingredients

Avocado Cider Dressing

1 avocado large, peeled and pitted
1 tablespoon shallots large, minced
1 garlic clove minced
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ cup sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons tarragon minced
1 teaspoon Italian parsley minced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons water
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Bean Salad

3 cups black beans cooked or canned, drained
2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
2 cups fresh corn kernels uncooked
1 cup cucumber peeled and finely diced
½ cup celery finely diced
½ cup scallions diced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup cotija cheese crumbled
1 tablespoon lime juice fresh
2 heads bibb leaf lettuce leaves separated
2 avocados fresh, halved and sliced

Instructions

For the avocado cider dressing: In a blender, combine the avocado, shallots, garlic, Dijon, and sherry vinegar and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil until thickened and incorporated. Thin with water, if necessary, and then stir in the minced tarragon and parley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
For the salad: Combine beans, tomatoes, corn, cucumber, celery, scallions, and cojita cheese, if using. Add the dressing and gently stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
To serve, place a Bibb leaf in a chilled bowl and top with some of the salad, and drizzle extra dressing, if desired. Garnish with sliced avocado.

Notes

Recipe developed by The Culinary Institute of America as an industry service to the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Nutrition