Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A vibrant, fun-to-eat salad featuring sweet roasted corn and hearty black beans with a tangy lime dressing, inspired by the festive atmosphere of carnival games and events. This Latin American-inspired salad recipe (vegan), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs fresh corn kernels, black beans, drained and rinsed, red bell pepper, diced into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh corn kernels
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp diced jalapeño

Grilling tools worth buying → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups fresh corn kernels and cook, turning occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until lightly charred and fragrant.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the charred corn kernels with 1 cup drained and rinsed black beans, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. If desired, stir in 1 tbsp diced jalapeño for a spicy kick.
5. Step 5: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld before serving as a refreshing side or light meal.