This refreshing black bean and corn salad is a healthy plant based side dish featuring avocado, red pepper and tomato with a light cilantro lime dressing. Perfect as a hearty side dish or light lunch this salad is easy to make, and perfect for any occasion.
Always a hit in hot weather, this black bean and corn salad features refreshing flavours we all know and love. You've got creamy avocado, sweet red bell peppers, piles of fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
It's a hearty mix of fresh veggies and beans that worked equally as well as a side dish or as a light healthy lunch. I love making a big batch of this salad and having something quick, easy and healthy to munch on throughout the week.
While this recipe tastes its best as written, it is also really forgiving. No tomato? no problem. Out of red pepper? Minor flavour loss, but totally deal-able. I absolutely love salads like this - made from pantry ingredients, where a missing ingredient or two doesn't totally sabotage the dish. I always keep a pantry stocked with canned beans for this black bean and corn salad, and my other favourite pantry salad, bean salad.
How to make it
Start by draining and rinsing the canned black beans and corn then place them in a bowl and gather the rest of your ingredients.
Chop up your red pepper, tomato, onion, avocado and cilantro and then add everything but the avocado to the salad bowl.
Dress with the lime juice and olive oil and season well with sea salt then give the salad a good mix.
Finally, add the avocado to the salad and gently stir it in.
Helpful Info
This is a great make ahead salad. Just don't add the avocado until you are ready to serve because it will brown if you do.
This recipe calls for canned corn, but fresh or frozen are also great to use if that's what you have on hand.
For the best results use fresh limes for this salad, but if you only have lime juice on hand go ahead and add 2-3 tablespoons of it to substitute.
More Recipes You'll Love!
If you like this black bean and corn salad, you might want to check out some of our other healthy side salad recipes:
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Mexican Black Bean and Corn Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans - drained
- 1 can corn - drained
- 1 avocado - diced
- ⅓ red onion - diced
- 1 roma tomato - diced
- 1 red pepper - diced
- 3 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 clove garlic - minced
- 2 limes - juice of
- 1⁄3 bunch cilantro - minced
- sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the black beans and corn then place in a large bowl.
- Add the diced tomato, red pepper, and red onion along with the avocado oil, lime juice, minced garlic and cilantro and season well with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
- Give the salad a good mix to combine, then add the diced avocado and gently mix through.
Notes
Nutrition
* nutritional information is calculated by online tools and may not be 100% accurate.
Lizet Bowen says
Making this Mexican black bean salad for our weekend get together! It looks very simple and I already have all the ingredients. Thanks!
Courtney says
You're very welcome, enjoy!
Alex says
A delicious combination of flavours, this salad works well with so many things. Perfect as part of a Mexican feast, but delicious for a simple lunch also.
Courtney says
It's definitely versatile!
Deanna says
This is the perfect salad for summer. Fresh flavours, easy recipe and so yummy with tacos!
Courtney says
I agree!! 🙂
Patty at Spoonabilities says
Such a perfect salad for lunch or dinner on a hot summer day! I love love love that cilantro lime dressing!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a deliciously colourful side dish - it sounds ever so tasty and packed full of flavour.
Shashi says
I so love all the delicious flavors and vibrant colors you have here - a feast for my tastebuds and my eyes!
Michelle says
Such a fresh and yummy recipe to go with grilling!
ELIZABETH A GANNON says
This was so easy to make and so delicious! It was a big hit! I couldn't stop eating it!!!
Courtney says
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it that much 🙂
Darlene says
Just curious how much red onion is supposed to be used for this recipe. It’s listed in the instructions and in pics, but I can’t find where red onion and/or an amount is listed in the ingredients on the actual recipe. I came here looking for it thinking surely someone else had already asked. Maybe I’m overlooking it? I’m wanting to make this for a birthday fiesta. Thanks for sharing!
Courtney says
Hi Darlene! You were right, the amount was missing. Thank you for letting me know. I’ve updated the recipe to add the onion. Enjoy your fiesta!
Sue says
I make a salad similar to this, but I use frozen white shoe peg corn. Not as starchy.
Catherine Schoenhoff says
Nice to know ~ thanks!
Linda Schnaible says
Is there another oil I can use other then avocado oil?
Courtney says
You can use any neutral flavoured oil that you like.
Myrna says
Could you please tell me what size of can of black beans and corn you use? Or could you please tell me how many cups of black beans or corn you use for this recipe? Thanks
Myrna
Fayemarie says
This is an amazing recipe. I made it not knowing what to expect and now my husband requests it all the time. It is a true summertime staple.
Catherine Schoenhoff says
I make one similar to this but I always enjoy trying new recipes! Forgot to buy cilantro at the store but I have it on my list and if there are any leftovers I’ll add some to it!!! Very good recipe!!
Marilyn says
This salad is Phenomenal SOOO versatile Your recipe is great..my sons fad. But the grandkids liked to add things they like and omit some.. So we want with the majority votes for that meal. Next time someone else got to decide. Some tweaks we like are, pinto beans, red beans, chopped Celery, Olives( black & green) stop light peppers ( red. green & yellow mixed) the choices are endless just do what you and yours like best
Eleanor says
can you recommend a substitute for lime juice as I am allergic to citrus?
Maricela says
How much is a serving size? 1 cup? Thank you. This is delicious!!!
PaulaDC says
Two days in a row, I found myself ordering a side salad and paying extra for corn and black beans. Then I decided it’s time I make something like that and I found your recipe. It is perfect for my taste. I used fresh corn that I microwaved in the husk.
Steve R. says
A nice addition to Taco Night. Fast and easy. Add some fresh ingredients.
Lainie says
Thank you! This is a flavorful dinner recipe especially for a hot weather night. You can amp up the flavors if you choose.