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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad with Zesty Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad - featured image
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A vibrant and perfectly balanced pasta salad featuring fresh veggies, black beans, and a zesty cilantro lime vinaigrette. Quick and easy to prepare, this salad is perfect for casual get-togethers or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (rotini or penne)
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels (thawed if frozen)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, rinse and drain 1 cup of black beans and 1 cup of corn. Dice 1 red bell pepper, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, finely chop 1 small red onion, and chop 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro. If using, dice 1 avocado just before assembling the salad to avoid browning.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified into a smooth vinaigrette.
  4. Add the black beans, corn, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro to the bowl with the cooled pasta. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Fold in avocado last if using.
  5. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to marry. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, lime juice, or honey as needed just before serving.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent sogginess and cool it for the salad. Add avocado just before serving to avoid browning. The vinaigrette can be shaken in a jar for easy emulsification. Adjust sweetness and acidity to taste. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Fresh cilantro is key for flavor; parsley can be substituted but changes taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, cowboy caviar, cilantro lime vinaigrette, easy pasta salad, summer salad, black beans, healthy salad, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-cilantro-lime-vinaigrette/