Dominican-Inspired Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad
A fresh, colorful salad combining sweet corn, black beans, and vibrant vegetables tossed in a tangy lime dressing perfect for a light meal or side. This latin american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs fresh corn kernels, (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained, medium, diced 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 220 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 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 small, finely chopped red onion
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 small, seeded and minced (optional) jalapeño pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups fresh corn kernels, 1 can (15 oz) rinsed and drained black beans, 1 diced medium red bell pepper, 1/2 small finely chopped red onion, and 1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, add 1 small minced jalapeño pepper if using, and toss gently to combine all flavors evenly.
- Step 4: Let the salad rest for 15 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld before serving chilled or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dominican-Inspired Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Dominican-Inspired 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 Dominican-Inspired 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 Dominican-Inspired 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 Dominican-Inspired Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.