Epic Summer Corn and Black Bean Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

A colorful, hearty salad combining sweet corn, black beans, and fresh veggies tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing. This Mexican-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 26 minutes, pairs fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears), black beans, rinsed and drained, 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 240 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 (about 3 ears)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp honey

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 cups fresh corn kernels. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the corn is lightly charred and fragrant. Remove from heat.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the charred corn, 1 can (15 oz) rinsed and drained black beans, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 minced jalapeño (seeded), and 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp honey until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine all flavors. Chill for 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.