City-Scale Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A fresh, colorful salad combining black beans and sweet corn with a zesty lime vinaigrette, inspired by the diversity of American cities. This latin american-inspired salads (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 15 minutes pairs black beans, corn kernels, red bell pepper 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

• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 cup fresh or frozen, thawed corn kernels
• 1 medium diced red bell pepper
• 2 sliced thin green onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 15 oz drained and rinsed black beans, 1 cup fresh or thawed corn kernels, 1 diced red bell pepper, 2 thinly sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp honey until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Pour the lime vinaigrette over the bean and vegetable mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving chilled or at room temperature.