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dense bean salad in a bowl

Dense Bean Salad (Viral TikTok Recipe)

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5 from 1 review

This dense bean salad is packed with beans, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful cilantro jalapeño dressing. It’s an easy make-ahead recipe that’s perfect for meal prep, lunches, and summer gatherings.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 can (15.5-ounce) chickpeas, low-sodium
  • 1 can (15.5-ounce) black beans, low-sodium
  • 2 medium bell peppers, diced (~3 cups)
  • 2 cups (1-pint) grape tomatoes, halved and/or quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh corn
  • 1/2 small red cabbage, thinly sliced (~3 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 medium red onion, pickled, thinly sliced
  • Cilantro Jalapeno Dressing

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain the black beans and chickpeas thoroughly, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Dice the bell peppers into small, bite-sized pieces and add them to the bowl.
  3. Slice the grape tomatoes in half or quarters and stir them in with the beans and peppers.
  4. Cut the kernels from the cob. If using frozen corn, thaw it first; if using canned corn, drain it well. Add the corn to the salad.
  5. Shred the cabbage (or use pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix for convenience) and add it to the bowl.
  6. Add the pickled red onions and roughly chop them if the slices are long. Add them to the salad.
  7. Pour the Cilantro Jalapeño Dressing over the ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. For the best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours ahead of time or even the day before.
  9. Before serving, give the salad one final toss. If needed, drizzle with a little more Cilantro Jalapeño Dressing to refresh the flavors. Enjoy chilled as a satisfying lunch, a side dish, or an easy meal-prep option throughout the week. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days, making this an excellent meal-prep recipe.
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