Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 salads (vegan) ready in about 25 minutes pairs fresh corn kernels, black beans, drained and rinsed, red bell pepper, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh corn kernels from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Carnival-Style Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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