Almond Butter Bean Recipe Salad with Creamy Almond Butter Dressing

This Almond Butter Bean Salad Recipe is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. It takes 15 minutes, serves 8–10, and the star is a creamy, tangy almond butter dressing made with Spread The Love UNSALTED Almond Butter, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, and fresh lemon juice.

If you’ve ever wondered whether almond butter works in salad dressing — it does, and brilliantly. The nut butter emulsifies into a smooth, rich dressing that coats every bean and vegetable without the heaviness of mayo or tahini.

At Spread The Love Foods, we’re a woman-founded, minority-owned food company based in Los Angeles. We’ve been making clean-label, USDA Organic nut butters since 2013, and this recipe is one of our favorites for showing that nut butter belongs at every meal — not just breakfast.

Most bean salad dressings rely on plain olive oil and vinegar or heavy, store-bought dressings loaded with seed oils and preservatives. This one takes a different approach:

Spread The Love UNSALTED Almond Butter blends into the dressing base, adding:

• Natural creaminess and body without dairy or mayo
• Plant-based protein and healthy fats from dry-roasted almonds
• A subtle nutty depth that pairs perfectly with the beans, corn, and cilantro
• No seed oils, no added sugar, no artificial ingredients

The avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice brighten everything up, while a touch of honey balances the acidity. It’s a dressing you’ll want to put on everything.

For The Salad

• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• ½ cup red onion, diced
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 12 oz frozen sweet corn
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium avocado

For the Almond Butter Dressing

• ¼ cup avocado oil
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt + ⅛ tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp Spread The Love UNSALTED Almond Butter

✔ Step 1 - Make the Dressing

Whisk together the avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and UNSALTED Almond Butter in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

✔ Step 2 - Build the Salad

Dice the bell pepper, jalapeño, and red onion and add to a medium bowl. Pour in the black beans, chickpeas, sweet corn, and chopped cilantro. Stir to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

✔ Step 3 - Finish and Serve

When ready to serve, dice the avocado and gently stir it into the salad. Pour the almond butter dressing over the top, toss to coat, and serve immediately.

Pro Tip: The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Toss with the salad and add avocado just before serving to keep everything fresh.

Can you use Almond Butter in Salad Dressing?

Yes. Almond butter emulsifies beautifully into dressings, creating a creamy, rich texture similar to tahini but with a milder, nuttier flavor. Whisk it with oil, acid (like lemon juice or vinegar), and seasonings for a smooth, plant-based dressing.

Is this bean salad gluten-free?

Yes. Every ingredient in this recipe is naturally gluten-free, including Spread The Love UNSALTED Almond Butter, which is made with a single ingredient: dry-roasted almonds.

How much protein is in this bean salad?

This salad is packed with plant-based protein. Black beans and chickpeas each provide roughly 7g of protein per half cup, plus additional protein from the almond butter dressing. One serving delivers approximately 10–12g of protein.

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

Yes. Prepare the salad base and dressing separately and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add the avocado and toss with dressing just before serving. The dressing thickens slightly when chilled — stir or add a splash of water to loosen.

What can I use instead of honey to make it vegan?

Swap the honey for pure maple syrup in the same amount. The dressing will be slightly more liquid but equally delicious and fully vegan.

What is Spread The Love UNSALTED Almond Butter?

It’s a single-ingredient almond butter made from dry-roasted almonds — no salt, no sugar, no palm oil, no seed oils. USDA Organic and Non-GMO. The unsalted version works perfectly in dressings and sauces where you want to control the seasoning yourself.

• Make it spicier: Leave the jalapeño seeds in, or add a pinch of cayenne to the dressing
• Add grains: Toss in cooked quinoa or farro to make it a complete meal
• Switch the beans: White beans, kidney beans, or edamame all work
• Different nut butter: Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter or BASIC Cashew Butter also make great dressings
• Add crunch: Top with toasted pepitas or crushed tortilla chips