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Corn Black Bean Salad with Mexican Vinaigrette

This vibrant corn black bean salad is a fresh and flavorful side dish packed with colorful vegetables, protein-rich black beans, and a tangy Mexican vinaigrette. Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or as a healthy weeknight side, it's naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with nutrients.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups sweet corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prepare all fresh vegetables - dice bell peppers, finely chop red onion, halve cherry tomatoes, and chop cilantro. If using fresh corn, cook briefly until tender and let cool completely.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweet corn, black beans, diced bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro. Gently toss to distribute evenly.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey/maple syrup, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
  4. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Just before serving, fold in diced avocado if using. Give a final toss and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled.

Notes

Meal prep friendly - keeps 3-4 days. Use grilled corn for extra flavor. Control spice level with chili powder. Keep dressing separate until ready to serve for maximum freshness. Dice vegetables to similar sizes for best texture.