Creamy Chipotle Bean Salad | It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

This creamy chipotle bean salad is daring, zesty, and filled with protein. Made with three sorts of beans, recent veggies, and a smoky chipotle lime dressing, it is excellent for meal prep, potlucks, or a straightforward no-cook dinner.

Dense bean salads are having a second, however this creamy chipotle bean salad has been one in every of my go-to recipes for years. It is hearty, satisfying, filled with protein, and coated in a smoky, creamy dressing that makes each chew irresistible. I like bringing it to potlucks as a result of it may be made forward, travels nicely, and is all the time successful. Plus, it is extremely versatile. Take pleasure in it as a salad, scoop it up with tortilla chips, stuff it into wraps, or spoon it over a loaded baked potato (a baked candy potato is very scrumptious). The chipotle provides smokiness and just a bit warmth with out overpowering the recent flavors.

Two plates of creamy chipotle bean salad.

Why You will Love This Creamy Chipotle Bean Salad

Protein-packed and satisfying: Three sorts of beans make this a hearty salad that may simply be a meal.
Excellent for meal prep: The flavors get even higher because it sits and the dressing soaks into the beans.
Nice for potlucks: Belief me, everybody will ask you for the recipe!
Versatile: Take pleasure in it as a salad, a bean salsa, wrap filling, or topping for tacos.
Dense bean salad goodness: Hearty, satisfying, and filled with protein.

Ingredients for creamy chipotle bean salad.

Elements for Creamy Chipotle Bean Salad

For the Salad:

Beans: I take advantage of a mix of black beans, kidney beans and white kidney beans or cannellini beans.
Corn: I like utilizing canned corn as a result of it is a bit of sweeter, and tremendous handy, however thawed frozen corn or recent corn minimize off the cob additionally work.
Cherry tomatoes: I like utilizing cherry tomatoes as a substitute of a giant tomato as a result of they launch much less liquid into the salad and maintain their form higher. They’re additionally sweeter.
Bell pepper: Purple, orange, or yellow all work.
Purple onion: Provides crunch and a bit of chew.
Contemporary cilantro: Brightens every thing up. In the event you’re not a cilantro fan, merely go away it out or swap it for recent parsley.

For the Creamy Chipotle Dressing:

Vegan mayonnaise: You need to use store-bought or homemade vegan mayo.
Lime juice: Provides freshness and helps obtain a dressing-like consistency.
Chipotle pepper in adobo: These smoky peppers are offered in small cans within the Mexican aisle. Use one complete pepper together with a bit of of the sauce from the can for smoky taste and mild warmth. Freeze the leftovers in small parts for future recipes.
Maple syrup or agave: A contact of sweetness balances the spiciness.
Seasonings: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.

The right way to Make Creamy Chipotle Bean Salad

Whisk in bowl of creamy chipotle dressing.

Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk collectively the vegan mayonnaise, lime juice, minced chipotle pepper, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt till clean and creamy.

Ingredients for creamy chipotle bean salad in bowl before tossing.

Assemble the Salad: Add the black beans, kidney beans, white beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, purple onion, and cilantro to a big bowl.

Drizzling creamy chipotle dressing over bean salad ingredients.

Toss Every thing Collectively: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss till every thing is evenly coated.

Bowl of creamy chipotle bean salad with lime wedges.

Chill or Serve: Serve instantly or cowl and refrigerate for at the very least half-hour to permit the flavors to meld collectively. Give the salad an excellent stir earlier than serving and garnish with additional cilantro if desired.

Suggestions and Variations

Modify the spice stage: One chipotle pepper provides a gentle smoky warmth. For a milder salad, use half a pepper or take away the seeds earlier than mincing. For additional spice, add one other chipotle pepper to style.
Let it relaxation: This salad is scrumptious instantly, however even higher after 30 to 60 minutes within the fridge.
Add avocado: Diced avocado provides much more creaminess. Stir it in simply earlier than serving to maintain it from going brown.
Make it oil-free: Swap the vegan mayonnaise for thick unsweetened vegan yogurt or blended silken tofu. The flavour shall be barely lighter however nonetheless scrumptious.
Meal prep pleasant: This salad retains nicely and tastes even higher after just a few hours within the fridge, making it excellent for lunches and make-ahead meals.

Closeup of creamy chipotle bean salad with lime wedges and cilantro for garnish.

Methods to Serve Chipotle Bean Salad

As a hearty major dish salad
Scooped up with tortilla chips like a chunky salsa
Stuffed into wraps or spooned into tacos (like my tofu tacos)
Added to burrito bowls with guacamole and cilantro lime rice
Served over greens
Spooned onto baked potatoes and baked candy potatoes
Alongside BBQ tofu or beet burgers as a facet

Storage

Retailer leftover creamy chipotle bean salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Stir it nicely earlier than serving to redistribute the dressing.