This chilled confetti rice and bean salad is packed with healthful legumes, rice and veggies, and the dressing is the perfect compliment.

In case you need a last minute side dish for say, a Labor Day BBQ or something of the like, look no further.

Not only is this chilled rice and bean salad packed with healthful legumes, rice and veggies, but the slightly sweet and smoky dressing is the perfect compliment to the diverse ingredients.

White bowl full of confetti rice salad with corn, peppers, and black beans.

Quite similar to this divine salad, this current Confetti Rice and Bean Salad is slightly tangier with a few added boosts, like red pepper and cilantro, and a slightly different dressing base.

Make it. It’s really yummy. Yummy enough for a BBQ. Yummy enough for a simple weeknight dinner. And definitely yummy enough to smother in melted cheese and scoop up with tortilla chips.

Er…did I just admit that may or may not have been the fate of the leftovers???

White bowl with rice, bean, corn, and pepper salad.

One Year Ago: Lasagna Primavera
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Three Years Ago: Creamy White Chili

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Confetti Rice and Bean Salad

4.49 stars (31 ratings)

Ingredients

Salad:

  • 3 cups cooked rice, cooled to room temperature (see note)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ cups frozen corn, thawed (or same amount fresh corn kernels)
  • 4 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced
  • 1 red pepper, seeded, cored and diced
  • ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro

Dressing:

  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients and toss.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss to coat. Chill the salad for at least 2 hours before serving to let the flavors blend.

Notes

Rice: I used a wild rice/brown rice blend for my salad, but Basmati rice is delicious, also. Whatever rice you decide to use, cook it according to package directions and use it in the recipe – you should be good to go!
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 452kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 402mg, Fiber: 14g, Sugar: 3g
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Recipe Source: adapted slightly from Dawn P., mother to my neighbor with the amazing garden