Healthy Corn and Black Bean Salad

This lively Corn and Black Bean salad will be a mainstay on your summer table. A fantastic accompaniment to barbeque or seafood and pure magic when heaped into tacos or burritos. Only 7 simple wholesome ingredients, and less than 10 minutes to whip up!

Looking for more refreshing spring and summer salad recipes?  Try my Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad. It's a meal in itself or a great side dish. The texture of the cheese against the sweet grilled peaches is heavenly. You'll also love my Radicchio Salad with Mint and Pomegranate.  It's the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.  

A Perfect Summer Salad

This healthy black bean and corn salad will work with so many dishes. The next time you need a versatile side dish this easy black bean and corn salad recipe has your bases covered.  Crunchy and full of flavor this black bean corn salad gets an herbaceous lift from fresh cilantro leaves, and a touch of heat from jalapeno. Spicy, fresh, and sweet, this easy salad is one of your new favorite things to whip up when the grill is cranking and the sun is high in the sky. 

Why Summer Salads Rock

This is one of my favorite recipes for my favorite time of year, summer. Dense with protein from the black beans and full of veggie power—which you can amp up with your summer zucchini or those heavenly fresh tomatoes, plucked from the vine. Summer is when the fruit and veggies are at their zenith and salads can be your dinner-time best friend, offering the perfect vehicle for all that marvelous fresh produce and a quick and cooling alternative to slaving over the stove on these sweltering days. I hope that you find the perfect ears of corn to make a big batch of this salad. 

Let's Get Cooking!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Detailed measurements and ingredients can be found within the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Black Beans-You can use a bean medley or chickpeas, but black beans are best.
• Corn- Fresh or Frozen works but there is no substitute for fresh, seasonal, super-sweet corn.
• Red Bell Pepper- A crunchy sweet pepper is what you want here. Red pepper, green peppers, yellow or orange all work. 
• Jalapeno Pepper- Other chili peppers like a serrano pepper will work as a substitute but always taste a piece of the pepper to see how hot it is. Then, decide how hot you want your salad.
• Sweet Red Onion-Any sweet onion or shallot will do. You can add green onions as a garnish for a little bit of extra onion pop. 
• Cilantro– Any green herb that you like or a combination of herbs will work.
• Lime Juice- Lemon Juice will work in a pinch but lime is preferable in this salad.

Tools

• Large Bowl
• Cutting Board
• A Good Knife
• Wooden Spoon
• A Juicing Tool
• A Colander

How to Make Corn and Black Bean Salad

Friends, this great recipe couldn't be easier. You are simply chopping a few items and tossing it all together. 

1. Pour the can of black beans into a strainer and rinse with cold water
2. Clean and chop all veggies and herbs
3. Juice the limes
4. Combine all ingredients in the mixing bowl 
5. Season with Salt and black pepper to taste

CORN INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If you are using frozen corn: simply thaw under cool running water, drain well and toss with other ingredients
2. If you are using fresh corn: Place a large pot of water on the stove to boil, salt it well! Shuck corn and using tongs drop into boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the water, allow to cool (cool enough to handle) and cut corn kernels off the cob and toss into the salad.

PRO TIP

This is the BEST salad to make with leftover corn on the cob! Simply cut the corn kernels off of the cob and toss into the salad!

Ways to Use This Simple Recipe

• Salsa with tortilla chips 
• A condiment in your Buddha bowls
• Try it with grilled shrimp
• Serve as a side dish with simple piece of grilled fish. 
• Pile high in a chicken taco
• Serve as a side dish at your next bbq

Expert Advice

Corn and black bean salad enhancers

Limitless possibilities for ingredients that would compliment this salad. Here are some ideas:

• Avocado is a no-brainer
• A salty fresh cheese like feta, cotija, or Ricotta Salata
• Spices like ground cumin or chipotle powder
• Nuts or seeds
• A splash of cold-pressed olive oil
• Olives
• Peach or mango 
• Grilled chicken or shrimp

Storage and FAQ

Store black bean and corn salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

FAQ

Nutrition Nerd Corner 🤓

Canned beans vs. dried beans

Canned beans are a fine alternative to soaking and cooking dry beans. They are a fantastic source of fiber and B vitamins.

However, you want to look for BPA free aluminum cans (Westbrae Natural, and Eden foods are confirmed BPA free). BPA – or Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that is used to make certain plastics and resins. It often lines the inside of aluminum cans and can leach into the food inside the cans. BPA is a known endocrine disrupter and a chemical that I work to avoid or reduce exposure to. 

As a certified nutritionist, concerned with these types of details, I try to find beans in glass jars or tetra packs rather than aluminum cans if available. 

Dietary Modifications

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan.

I can’t wait for you to try this Healthy Corn and Black Bean Salad Recipe! When you make it, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @abrapappa or use the hashtag #abraskitchen so I can feature your photo! 

If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate and leave a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

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