Fresh Black Bean & Corn Salad with Lime Dressing

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A vibrant, protein-packed salad with black beans, sweet corn, and bell peppers, dressed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs black beans, corn, 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 200 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), rinsed and drained black beans
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears) or thawed frozen corn corn
• 1, diced (about 1 cup) red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• pinch salt
• pinch black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 can (15 oz) black beans (rinsed and drained), 1 cup fresh corn kernels, 1 diced red bell pepper (about 1 cup), and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, pinch of salt, and pinch of black pepper until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and let the salad sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.