Description
This vibrant Spicy Lime & Mixed Bean Salad combines zesty lime segments, a variety of beans, fresh vegetables, and a spicy dressing for a refreshing and flavorful dish. Perfect as a light lunch or a side, it features a tangy dressing with tajin or chili powder, crisp tortilla chips for crunch, and a fresh herbal note from mint and parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing & Citrus
- 2 limes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp tajin or chili powder
Salad
- 400g can mixed beans, drained
- 5 cherry tomatoes, finely chopped
- ½ 198g can sweetcorn, drained or 75g defrosted frozen sweetcorn
- ½ small red onion or shallot, finely diced
- ¼ cucumber, finely diced
- Small handful of parsley, finely chopped
- 8 mint leaves, finely chopped
Toppings
- Handful of corn tortilla chips
- 2 heaped tbsp sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Prepare the Lime Dressing: Zest one lime into a small bowl, then carefully remove the peel and pith from both limes. Segment the limes and place the segments into a large bowl. Squeeze the juice from the lime peel and core into the small bowl with the zest. Add the olive oil and tajin or chili powder to the lime juice mixture and stir well to combine. Set this dressing aside.
- Combine the Salad Ingredients: In the large bowl with the lime segments, add the drained mixed beans, finely chopped cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, diced red onion or shallot, diced cucumber, chopped parsley, and chopped mint. Mix all the ingredients gently until well combined. Season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
- Assemble the Salad for Transport or Serving: If you plan to transport the salad, layer the ingredients in one or two containers. Begin by pouring the prepared dressing into the container, followed by the bean and vegetable mixture. Next, add the tortilla chips, breaking them up if necessary, and finally scatter the sliced jalapeños on top. Shake the container gently just before serving to mix.
- Serve Immediately: If serving straight away, toss the bean mixture directly in the dressing to coat it evenly, then scatter the tortilla chips and jalapeños on top for added crunch and spice.
Notes
- The tajin chili powder can be substituted with regular chili powder or smoked paprika to adjust the spice level and flavor profile.
- For a milder version, reduce or omit the jalapeños.
- Use fresh lime for the best citrus flavor; bottled lime juice will dilute the freshness.
- To keep the tortilla chips crunchy during transport, layer them on top and add just before serving.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated up to 1 day if layered properly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Keywords: spicy lime salad, mixed bean salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, quick salad, no-cook salad, summer salad, Mexican salad
