Serious Salads
2013-06-05-black-bean-corn-red-pepper-salad.jpg

[Photograph: Jennifer Segal]

This is the ultimate summer salad, and it's perfect for entertaining. Not only is it festive and colorful, but you can make it ahead of time—in fact, you should, because it gets better and better the longer it sits.

About the author: Jennifer Segal is the chef behind the popular food blog, Once Upon a Chef.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3 ears fresh cooked corn, kernels cut off the cob (about 2 cups)
  • 2 red bell peppers, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots, from one medium shallot
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon zest and 6 tablespoons juice from 5 to 6 limes
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 2 Hass avocados, chopped

Procedures

  1. Combine all ingredients except for avocados in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes and up to over night. Right before serving, add avocados and fold gently, being careful not to mash avocados. Garnish with more chopped cilantro if desired. Serve at room temperature.