Light and simple to prepare, you will want to keep this Mexican Bean Salad in your refrigerator at all times. It's packed with plant-based protein and fiber and is naturally gluten-free.
And just like that, the Blizzard of 2016 hits. I should say, the FIRST blizzard of 2016. It's a perfect day. The kids are playing in the snow, hubby is shoveling and I am cooking and baking ALL THE THINGS.
As I finish preparing the bean salad that I make almost weekly, I realize that I never shared the recipe with you guys! GAH! I am not sure how I forgot that since this is the most delicious and easiest salad ever, but I apologize. Better late than never, right?
I think most people eat lots of heavy foods in the winter and eat more lighter salads in the spring and summer. That's a really easy way to put on some extra weight in the winter. I always try to keep healthy salads in my refrigerator for a quick and convenient lunch or dinner.
If you are looking for some other healthy salad recipes, you will love this Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Greek Cauliflower Rice Salad and this Grilled Bok Choy Salad with Miso Dressing!
Recipe Tips
This is one of those make ahead salads that I keep in my refrigerator for lunch or dinner. This salad tastes better the 2nd and even 3rd day because the beans soak up all of the deliciousness from the dressing. It's great all year long too and it's always a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Side note, avocados turn brown way too quickly so I usually prep everything except the avocados and simply slice one right before I eat it. This way they won't turn brown (yuck) and all the vegetables will stay crunchy.
This dressing is truly incredible and I use it for other salads too! I also like extra cilantro on mine.....oh how I love cilantro.
Meal prepping on Sundays really helps me to stay on track. When I am ready to eat lunch, starving looking for something to eat, I am more likely to snack on unnecessary foods unless I have already prepared my lunch or dinner. That is why meal prep is crucial!
And when you start "snacking" because you are starving, you can mindlessly eat tons of calories BEFORE you even start to make lunch. Having your meals all prepped and ready prevents this mindless eating. I promise.
Related Recipes
Low Carb Keto Cucumber Salad from Food Faith Fitness
Caprese Quinoa Salad from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad from Running to the Kitchen
Quinoa Avocado Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Paleo Chicken Cobb Salad with Buffalo Ranch Dressing from Paleo Running Momma
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Mexican Bean Salad
Ingredients
- Salad:
- 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can small white beans rinsed and drained
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes chopped ( I use multi-color tomatoes)
- 1 avocado peeled, pitted and diced
- Dressing:
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- zest of one lime
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- salt to taste
- ¼ cup fresh packed chopped cilantro leaves optional
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients for the salad in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Mix all ingredients together for dressing in a small bowl or jar. Mix well or shake well (if using a jar). Pour dressing over salad. Let refrigerate for several hours or even overnight.
Kim Beaulieu
I love this salad, it's perfect for lunch or dinner. Love all the yummy goodness in this.
We didn't get hit with the storm. We've had such a mild winter. It's been weird. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Melissa from Hungry Food Love
Anything with beans and avocado I love. Putting them together is even better. This looks sooo fresh too. I need to make this salad more often.
Rose | The Clean Dish
We were affected by the blizzard, too. It was so much fun, though! I basically did the same thing - just cook and bake all day... and read! This bean salad looks fantastic!The dressing is right down my alley; I love all the spices you have included!
Lora @savoringitaly
I sometimes remember about a go-to recipe and wonder what's taken me so long to share! How cool you make this flavorful salad every week, Lauren! I love the color and how it's no-fuss. 😉
lauren.kelly
Thank you Lora!
Kirsten / Comfortably Domestic
Bean and vegetable salads with vinegar based dressings are always great to have on hand for a healthy lunch option. I really like the fresh ginger in the dressing!
lauren.kelly
Me too Kirsten! Thank you!
Angie
That's a delicious salad, perfect for a cold day! I miss the beautiful snow because we're in Florida, but I'm glad we don't have to shovel the stuff. Such hard work, but it is free exercise!
lauren.kelly
Except when you have your husband and 3 boys shoveling for you 😉
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
This looks better than something you would get at a nice restaurant! Great recipe!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Ashley!
The Food Hunter
This looks like a perfect lunch for me.
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
This is perfect to have on hand for the week! Or for anytime! There's so much to love about this salad Lauren - and it has so much goodness in it!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Shashi!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
When they say "eat the rainbow," I think they're talking about this salad!
lauren.kelly
I think so too Renee!
Brenda@SugarfreeMom
I baked and cooked for the week ahead as well when the blizzard hit, which wasn't much at all for us, only 8 inches, but hey I stocked my fridge too! This sounds perfect after a workout for lunch!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Brenda!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Haha we had snow hit us this past weekend and I think that I cooked and baked all weekend too! haha. There is just something about snow that makes me want to cook (and eat!)
I love salads like this that get better the longer they sit in the fridge!
lauren.kelly
Yes! I did so much cooking and so much eating Angie 😉
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I hope the blizzard wasn't too bad for you! And that's great that you got a chance to bake. 🙂 This looks like a great, healthy dish to start the week with.
lauren.kelly
We had close to 3 feet Erin!
Stephanie
So simple, yet so delicious! Love this!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Stephanie!
Nutmeg Nanny
This dish look so simple but packed full of flavor. It's the type of dish that I want to serve along side a spicy grilled chicken breast...yum!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Brandy!