Simple Avocado and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
A refreshing salad combining creamy avocado and protein-rich black beans tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing, perfect for a light meal or side. This latin american-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 10 minutes pairs large ripe avocado, diced, cherry tomatoes, halved, red onion, finely diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe avocado, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 large diced ripe avocado, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour the cilantro lime dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat all components evenly without mashing the avocado.
- Step 4: Let the salad sit for 5 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Avocado and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 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 Simple Avocado and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing?
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 large ripe avocado, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Avocado and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing?
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 Simple Avocado and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing 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 Simple Avocado and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing 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.
