This healthy Bean & Couscous Salad is mayonnaise free, easy to make and great for feeding a crowd! It will be a favorite at your next BBQ, picnic or family get-together.
Gah…you guys… I made you a picnic summer salad that is so fresh, colorful and flavorful that you’re going to love it and add it to your routine must-make list. And, it’s mayonnaise free. Yes!
It’s light, healthy and full of that crunchy goodness that we all can’t get enough of.
Let me just say, this salad saved my bacon on Father’s Day too. Yikes! p.s. do not do what I did.
For The Husband, I was making BBQ Ribs, but I made the BBQ sauce ssssoooo hot, that even I couldn’t eat it. Yes!!!! Hello Ghost Pepper sauce… you shouldn’t sneak up on a girl like that. 🙂
Now, you all know it’s rare, when even I, can’t eat something spicy. So, it was a good thing I had this crisp, summer salad to cool me down. I even lost feeling in my face once or twice. #tohottohandle
Have you ever had that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you think “I’m not sure that’s a good idea”, yet you do it anyway? Mmmm hmmmm…that’s what I’m talking about. Welcome to my Father’s Day Sunday. A quick pour of what I thought would be a reasonable amount of Ghost Pepper sauce, added to some bland BBQ sauce, turned out to be a full TKO that nearly took my head off.
Now, in my defense, I had The Husband taste test it multiple times, and after about the 5th or 17th time of trying to fix it, he gave me the two thumbs up nod that it was OK. He wasn’t nearly as confident when he was crying as he finished his dinner. 🙂
JK. He didn’t cry.
Ok, I do admit – it was blazing, insanely hot and I vow not do do that again until I forget this incident next week. Now, onto this life changing (saved my bacon!) salad.
It’s super simple to make, has few spices, yet packs an incredible flavor from the red pepper, green onion, corn and beans mixed with lime and red wine vinegar. And, you can make a vegetarian version by using vegetable stock, instead of the chicken stock I used.
With the no mayonnaise base, it’s a healthified version that’s super colorful with lots of crunch, fiber and tangy-ness that you’ll love. And, it’s absolutely perfect for your next picnic or 4th of July party.
You will love sharing it with friends!
Enjoy!
Bean & Couscous Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked couscous
- 1 and 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 8 green onions chopped
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 12-ounce bag frozen corn kernels
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed well
- 1 15.25 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed well
- 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium-sized sauce pan; stir in the couscous. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5-7 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar and cumin together. Add red pepper, corn and beans and mix well. Fold in green onions.
- Stir the couscous to separate chunks and add to the bowl with the beans and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate to serve later.
marcie says
This post has me cracking up, Kristi — for that ghost pepper sauce to almost blow your head off says something! haha I would’ve run away crying. 🙂 Good thing you had this salad, and hopefully a cold beer, too. lol I love the looks of this salad and know we’d love it — definitely trying this soon! Pinned. 🙂
Kristi says
Hahaha, Marcie! Oh yea, MULTIPLE beers were involved. Hahahaha! We were dying from the heat of the sauce – but we both ate it! 🙂 Lesson learned. Well, at least until next time. LOL
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I love corn and black beans together and I love that you added couscous into this salad. I could eat it all summer long!
Kristi says
Thanks Christin – this salad was so incredibly flavorful, I think you’d love the couscous in it! Enjoy!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I’ve heard that the ghost pepper sauce is quite potent. I have yet to try it but I will remember to start small! This salad looks crazy good! And yay for salad Mondays!
Kristi says
OMGosh Anna – whatever you do, start with a single, itty, bitty dot. 🙂 Then, work your way up from there. Hahaha! You’ve been warned! Good luck – I’m excited to hear what you think.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Kristi, if I had all the ingredients on hand right now, I’d be having this for dinner! Just the sort of cool little salad with some protein in it that I love!
Kristi says
I know, right, Jean? It is so crisp, cool and refreshing – you will absolutely love it! I hope you get a chance to try it! It’s perfect for summer.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
This salad looks delicious, Kristi – and so simple! I hear you on the terrors of ghost pepper – my dad mailed us some and it was burning my eyes through the envelope he mailed it in! It went straight into the trash out of pure fear… 😉
Kristi says
Hahahaha! Well, before today, I would’ve said “Send it to me.” I’ve had it before, but I certainly learned my lesson to taste as I go and not take risks! LOL
Harriet Emily says
Love love love bean salads! They’re my favourite things to make in summer. The flavours in this sound divine and so tasty, cumin is my favourite spice! What a perfect recipe.
Kristi says
Thanks Harriet Emily. I adore salads in the summer too! Have a great week!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
haha I have not heard of this ghost pepper sauce, but pretty sure I don’t wanna try it. I cannot eat super spicy food in spite of being an India (I know!!) just not my thing…The salad looks so good, yummy!
Kristi says
Most of my friends can’t handle the heat like I can Manali, so you are not alone. 🙂
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
I love how refreshing and colorful and healthy this salad is!
Kristi says
Thanks Sam! It is packed with healthiness, and great flavor. Double win! Have a great weekend!
Ashley says
hahah oh my gosh, lost feeling in your face!!! That must have been hot!
Love love the sound of this – and yay for mayo free! I’ve never been a huge fan … and with the couscous? Sign me up!
Kristi says
Ashley, isn’t couscous awesome? I love it – it seems to cook up so perfectly and adds great flavor. 🙂 Have a great weekend.