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Fresh Corn & Beans Salad with Zesty Lime Dressing

Fresh Corn Beans Salad - featured image

A quick and easy salad combining fresh corn, black beans, and a tangy lime dressing, perfect for summer gatherings and healthy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ears fresh corn, husked and kernels removed (about 2½ cups or 375 g)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the corn by standing each ear upright on a cutting board and slicing the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife. Set aside about 2½ cups of kernels.
  2. Rinse and drain the black beans thoroughly under cold water to remove excess sodium and canned flavor. Let drain well.
  3. Finely dice the red bell pepper and red onion. If desired, soak the onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite, then drain. Chop the cilantro roughly.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined and slightly emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the corn, beans, red bell pepper, onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly. Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Use fresh corn for best sweetness and crunch; if using frozen, thaw and pat dry. Rinse beans well to reduce canned taste and sodium. Let salad rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. For a chilled salad, refrigerate for 20 minutes but avoid leaving overnight to prevent texture changes. Honey can be swapped with maple syrup for a vegan option. Variations include adding jalapeño, smoked paprika, avocado, or grilled corn for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: fresh corn salad, black beans salad, lime dressing, summer salad, quick salad, healthy side dish, gluten-free, vegan