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A Nourishing Plate

Condiments, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Salads, Summer · June 3, 2021

Black Bean and Corn Salad

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This vibrant black bean and corn salad is the perfect dish for summer gatherings. It’s light, colorful, and tossed in a zesty lime dressing. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

When you see corn at the store, you know summer’s right around the corner.

Hot days, iced drinks, being outside, time in the water… the magic that is summer. Good food is always at the forefront, and dishes like this black bean and corn salad are a must.

Ingredients

For the salad

  • Corn – fresh, canned, or frozen (if frozen, thaw first)
  • Black beans
  • Bell pepper
  • Red onion
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro

For the dressing

  • Fresh lime juice & zest
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Raw honey
  • Garlic powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Salt & pepper

How to Make Black Bean and Corn Salad

  1. Make the salad. To a large bowl, add the corn, black beans, diced pepper, onion, avocado, and cilantro.
  2. Make the dressing. In a small jar with a tightly sealed lid, add all of the dressing ingredients and shake until well combined.
  3. Mix. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.

Make It Your Way: Ingredient Substitutions

Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

How can you make this black bean and corn salad using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

  • No avocado? ➝ use pitted castelvetrano olives for a similarly creamy texture and buttery sweet flavor
  • No cilantro? ➝ fresh basil or parsley will also work
  • No red onion? ➝ use white onion or shallots
  • Bell peppers ➝ red or orange work best

Helpful Tips

Dice everything small

This helps ensure that the flavor from the dressing spreads evenly throughout and also is more visually appealing.

Make ahead

This corn and black bean salad can be made the day before, just be sure to only add the avocado right before serving for the best flavor and texture. Once the avocado is added, eat within 1-2 days.

How to serve

This salad is great eaten as a side dish, but I also love serving it with chips for that added crunch factor.

More Healthy Salad Recipes

  • Simple Butter Lettuce Salad
  • Healthy Broccoli Salad
  • Fennel Salad
dishing up black bean and corn salad

Black Bean and Corn Salad

5 from 4 votes
This vibrant black bean and corn salad is the perfect dish for summer gatherings. It's light, colorful, and tossed in a zesty lime dressing. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 mins
Total Time:15 mins
Servings: 4
Author: Lindsey Jenkins

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1½ cups cooked corn equivalent to 1 can
  • 1½ cups black beans equivalent to 1 can
  • 1 medium orange or red bell pepper, diced small
  • ⅓ cup red onion, diced small
  • 1 avocado, cubed
  • ⅓ cup cilantro, roughly chopped

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (zest first)
  • 1½ tsp raw honey
  • ½ tsp kosher salt, to taste
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin

Instructions

  • To a large bowl, add the corn, black beans, diced pepper, onion, avocado, and cilantro.
  • In a small jar with a tightly sealed lid, add all of the dressing ingredients and shake until well combined.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. Salt and pepper the dressed salad and toss again.

Notes

  • How can you make this black bean and corn salad using what you already have? Here are some ideas…
    • No avocado? ➝ use pitted castelvetrano olives for a similarly creamy texture and buttery sweet flavor
    • No cilantro? ➝ fresh basil or parsley will also work
    • No red onion? ➝ use white onion or shallots
    • Bell peppers ➝ red or orange work best
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

Posted In: Condiments, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Salads, Summer

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Comments

  1. Sandy Davidson says

    June 6, 2021 at 1:01 am

    This is a delicious and colorful salad. It was even better the second day…I added avocados fresh each time instead of incorporating them in the beginning. Loved the flavors and the presentation. Happy Birthday to our favorite food blogger.

    Reply
    • Sandy Davidson says

      December 18, 2021 at 5:50 pm

      SUrprise…I made this for a Christmas holiday pot luck! Never fail recipe for any time fo the year! So many people commented how colorful and light it was…nice contrast to usual heavy calorie filled side dishes. Thank you over and over, Lindsey. Merry CHirstmas to you and yours.

      Reply
      • Lindsey says

        January 31, 2022 at 10:30 am

        I don’t know how I’m just now seeing this, but what a great idea to lighten and brighten things up! Thanks, Sandy! Hope the new year is starting off well for you guys! xo

        Reply
  2. Evie Ugrin says

    June 8, 2021 at 1:50 pm

    5 stars
    The Black Bean and Corn Salad is a wonderful summertime addition to lunch, dinner or with chips and beverages!! It has true punch after flavors blend a few hours….It’s a perfect ‘make ahead’ item.
    Evie

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Lindsey. A Nourishing Plate is a healthy cooking site sharing flexible dairy-free recipes to inspire creativity, boost kitchen confidence, and be a more resourceful cook.

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