Are you ready to transform an ordinary side dish into a mouthwatering culinary adventure? This Bacon Red Bean Salad is not just another recipe—it's a symphony of crispy, smoky bacon, hearty red beans, and vibrant fresh vegetables that will revolutionize your meal prep. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a dish so delicious, it'll have everyone at the table begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 can (15 oz) red beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- While the bacon is cooking, rinse and drain the can of red beans thoroughly under cold water. This helps to remove excess sodium and any canning liquid.
- Next, dice the red bell pepper and red onion into small, uniform pieces. This will ensure that they mix well with the other ingredients and provide a consistent texture in the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained red beans, diced red bell pepper, diced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix these ingredients gently to combine them evenly.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. This will create a dressing that adds flavor to your salad.
- Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything together gently until all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
- Finally, add the crumbled bacon to the salad and give it one last gentle toss to incorporate the bacon without breaking it up too much.
- Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve the Bacon Red Bean Salad as a side dish or a light meal. Enjoy!
Tips
- Use thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and flavor intensity.
- Drain beans thoroughly to prevent a watery salad texture.
- Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- For extra zest, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika to the dressing.
- Use fresh parsley for the brightest, most vibrant flavor profile.
- If preparing ahead, keep bacon separate and add just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Experiment with different vinegars like red wine or balsamic for unique flavor variations.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
