Mexican Bean And Rice Salad

This Mexican Bean and Rice Salad is a vibrant and flavorful twist on a classic dish, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner. With a medley of colorful vegetables, a boost of protein from the beans, and a zesty dressing, this salad is a delightful fiesta in every bite!

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the rice according to package instructions using 2 cups of water and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, black beans, kidney beans, red bell pepper, red onion, and tomato.

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

Pour the dressing over the rice and bean mixture, and stir until everything is well combined. Stir in the frozen corn kernels and chopped cilantro.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.

Notes

This recipe makes a big batch of salad, perfect for a crowd or for meal prep throughout the week.

You can customize the level of heat in the dressing by adding more or less chili powder.

Make sure to rinse the canned beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium.

If using frozen corn kernels, thaw them first by soaking them in room temperature water for a few minutes, then pat dry with paper towels before adding to the salad.

This salad is best made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together in the refrigerator.

You can also add some diced avocado, shredded carrots, or diced grilled chicken to make the salad more substantial.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 240
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 250mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 35g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 4g
• Protein: 8g