Pumpkin and Kidney Bean Salad with an Exotic Twist

Recipe at a glance

Spiced pumpkin and red kidney beans are combined with tangerines, pineapple, and green onion for a sweet-savory salad.

Pumpkin and Kidney Bean Salad with an Exotic Twist
This pumpkin and kidney bean salad celebrates all four seasons! Summery, flavorful, and at the same time satisfying and filling - this pumpkin and kidney bean salad makes mealtime a little more tasty while being light on the waistline. It is warm enough to still eat salads as a main meal but cool enough to enjoy beans and pumpkin.

There are many ways to make pumpkin and kidney bean salad, and this slightly unusual combination of classic winter ingredients and fruity summer vibes is one of the most nontraditional ways to make it. Feel free to use your imagination and make your own combination, using your favorite ingredients.

This salad is good as a side dish and as a filling lunch salad for any day of the week.
Cooking time15 min
Servings2
CategoryEasy salads
Step by step

How to make it

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Peel and cut pumpkin into small cubes.
    Pumpkin and Kidney Bean Salad with an Exotic Twist
  2. 2

    Step 2

    Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet, add pumpkin, paprika, thyme salt and pepper and fry for about 15 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. In the meantime strain the beans from the can and rinse under cold water. Peel and divide tangerines, dice pineapple and spring onion.
    Pumpkin and Kidney Bean Salad with an Exotic Twist
  3. 3

    Step 3

    To make the dressing combine the lime juice, avocado oil (or another oil of your choice), Dijon mustard, and crushed garlic clove, and mix together. Combine the ingredients for the salad and serve family-style or transfer to individual bowls. Sprinkle the dressing over the salad, and stir until evenly distributed with the ingredients. Check for seasonings, add additional salt and pepper if desired.


    Chef’s tips:
    Rinse the beans before adding them to the salad, it removes that starchy water they sit in. It will improve both their look and taste immensely.

    You can make this pumpkin and kidney bean salad a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge. In this case we recommend to add the onions when you are ready to serve.

    Want a more crunchy salad? Add diced red onion! Don’t be afraid to experiment, should you want something sharper, crunchier, more acidic, etc.
    Pumpkin and Kidney Bean Salad with an Exotic Twist

Cooking tips

Rinse the canned kidney beans after draining, and cook the pumpkin until tender before combining it with the fruit.

Ingredient substitutions

Another neutral cooking oil can replace the avocado oil mentioned in the dressing directions.

Questions about this recipe

Are the kidney beans cooked before mixing?

The recipe uses canned kidney beans, which are drained and rinsed before adding to the salad.

How is the pumpkin prepared?

It is cut into cubes and cooked in a skillet with paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper until soft.

Cooking photos

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