Playful Caribbean Mango Black Bean Salad
A vibrant, fun-to-eat Caribbean salad featuring sweet mango, creamy black beans, and a zesty lime dressing perfect for a light meal or side. This caribbean-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes pairs (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, medium, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 large, diced into 1/2-inch cubes ripe mango
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp, fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 large diced ripe mango, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the mango and black bean mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving chilled or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Playful Caribbean Mango Black Bean Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Playful Caribbean Mango Black Bean Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, diced red bell pepper from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Playful Caribbean Mango Black Bean Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Playful Caribbean Mango Black Bean Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Playful Caribbean Mango Black Bean Salad vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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