Taco-Spiced Black Bean and Corn Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

A vibrant, protein-packed salad featuring black beans, sweet corn, and bell peppers tossed in a zesty cilantro-lime dressing, perfect as a side or light meal. This Mexican-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs canned 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 210 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 canned black beans
• 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
• 1 medium, finely diced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, finely diced green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels, 1 finely diced medium red bell pepper, 1 finely diced medium green bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until fully emulsified.
3. Step 3: Pour the cilantro-lime dressing over the black bean and corn mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled or at room temperature.