This Black Bean Salad with Corn recipe combines cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, red onion and cilantro with an easy, healthy cumin lime dressing.

Perfect for a light vegetarian dinner, colorful side dish or make-ahead lunch!

black bean salad in white bowl with rice on blue background

This super easy and fast black bean salad recipe goes with just about anything!

It’s quick, simple, filling and delicious. Just the thing to throw together on a weeknight (or really any day you don’t feel like cooking).

I’m a big believer that homemade healthy meals don’t have to be complicated to be delicious.

A few real food ingredients is all you really need. This is one of those recipes I turn to when I’m short on time. It has very few prep steps & comes together in under 20 minutes.

an easy no-cook dinner

Already-cooked, canned black beans are one of my favorite recipe shortcuts.

They’re such a versatile ingredient, so I’ve always got a can or two in my pantry.

They’re a filling & satisfying addition to this salad but are great in heartier dishes too – like these black bean stuffed sweet potatoes or this black bean & sweet potato chili.

For this recipe – you just drain & rinse them, add any fresh veggies, and whisk up your cumin-lime dressing.

Before you know it, you’ll be sitting down to enjoy this super easy vegetarian dinner!

ingredients for black bean salad with corn in glass mixing bowl

other ways to use this corn & black bean salad

Weeknight dinner bowls are one of our capsule meal plan go-to’s and we’ve been loving this dressed up as a burrito bowl.

Here’s a few more simple ways you could customize this recipe:

  • Make a burrito bowl: serve atop cooked rice or cauliflower rice, along with toppings of your choice such as avocado, sour cream, cheese, salsa, and hot sauce.
  • Serve as a side: Also works as a side salad to grilled meat or fish, or as a main dish salad
  • Serve as a dip: You can also serve this salad as an appetizer or dip. Just add chips or crackers and you’re good to go!
  • Serve as a make-ahead lunch: Makes a great make-ahead lunch, and can be stored, covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Add more greens: Serve on top of baby greens or chopped romaine for extra crunch
  • Enjoy as a wrap: Use lettuce wraps or tortillas for an easy, refreshing meal.

Tip: Give the dressing about 5 min to marinate with all your fresh ingredients. It’ll get even more flavorful the longer it sits!

ingredients for black bean salad with corn mixed together in glass mixing bowl

recipe modifications & adaptations 

  • Don’t like cilantro? Substitute flat leaf parsley (or omit it altogether)
  • Use raw sweet corn works well in this recipe. Simply cut the kernels off the cob and add it to the salad. Frozen, defrosted corn will also work well.
  • Kidney beans will work in place of the black beans
  • You can use apple cider vinegar in place of red wine vinegar
  • Double the Cumin Lime Dressing and use it the extra as a salad dressing (or marinade) for another night 

I hope you’ll make this black bean salad with corn at home soon.

If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

steel chefs knife with black handle on white background

Here’s the chef’s knife (affiliate) I use for all my recipes. A good quality, sharp knife makes quick work of ingredient prep for my recipes. I love how versatile and durable it is!

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close up of a black bean salad with corn in white bowl
close up of a black bean salad with corn in white bowl
5 stars (1 rating)

Black Bean Salad with Corn

Prep: 20 mins
Total: 20 mins
This Black Bean Salad with Corn recipe combines cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, red onion and cilantro with an easy, healthy cumin lime dressing. Perfect for a light vegetarian dinner, colorful side dish or make-ahead lunch!
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Ingredients

  • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels , (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper, red, yellow, or orange
  • 2 tbsp diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Cumin Lime Dressing

  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice , (from 2 limes)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp plus ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp granulated garlic powder
  • ⅓ cup olive oil

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the black beans, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro until well combined. Set aside.
  • Make the dressing by adding the lime juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, cumin, garlic powder, and olive oil in a small mason jar. Shake until well combined. Alternatively, add the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Pour the dressing over the black bean mixture, stirring to combine. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then taste for seasoning, adding additional lime juice or salt to taste. Serve at room temperature or store (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

To make a burrito bowl, serve atop cooked rice, along with toppings of your choice such as avocado, sour cream, cheese, salsa, and hot sauce.
Author: Robyn Downs
Course: Main Course, Salad

Nutrition Information:

Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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