Refried Black Bean Salad

Elevate your salad game with this Refried Black Bean Salad—an effortless fusion of creamy, refried black beans, vibrant fresh veggies, and zesty lime. This healthy and flavor-packed dish combines sautéed onions and garlic with lightly mashed black beans, seasoned to perfection with cumin and a pinch of spice, creating a warm and smoky base. Tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy corn kernels, sweet red bell pepper, and optional jalapeño for a touch of heat, this salad has layers of texture and bold flavor in every bite. Topped with fresh cilantro and bright lime juice, it’s a refreshing, protein-rich option that’s perfect as a standalone dish or served over crisp mixed greens. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a quick, gluten-free, and vegetarian recipe that’s hearty enough to satisfy any appetite.

Nutriscore Rating: 87/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned black beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup white onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.5 cup fresh corn kernels (or thawed frozen corn)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 jalapeño, minced (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups mixed greens or romaine lettuce (for serving, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the black beans (with 2-3 tablespoons of their liquid), ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes while mashing the beans slightly with the back of a spoon to create a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using).

Step 6

Add the cooled refried black beans to the bowl and mix thoroughly.

Step 7

Drizzle the lime juice over the mixture and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Fold in the chopped cilantro, if using, for a fresh burst of flavor.

Step 9

Serve the salad on a bed of mixed greens or romaine lettuce for a vibrant presentation, or enjoy it on its own as a hearty dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1066.5 grams (1066.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	982

Total Fat 33.10g	42%
Saturated Fat 5.10g	26%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2497mg	109%
Total Carbohydrate 141.50g	51%
Dietary Fiber 49.40g	176%
Total Sugars 23.30g
Protein 42.10g	84%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 333mg	26%
Iron 16mg	88%
Potassium 3164mg	67%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.9%

Protein: 16.3%

Carbs: 54.8%