Ghost Modern Mexican Black Bean and Corn Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A fresh and colorful salad blending black beans, sweet corn, and crisp vegetables with a zesty lime-cilantro dressing, inspired by modern Mexican flavors. This Mexican-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs black beans, rinsed and drained, fresh corn kernels, 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 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

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 can (15 oz) rinsed and drained black beans, 1 cup fresh corn kernels, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 small minced jalapeño if using, until well combined and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
4. Step 4: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld, making it a bright and refreshing side dish or light meal.