Black Bean Corn Salad

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This Black Bean Corn Salad is so embarrassingly easy to make (no cooking!), summery fresh, and even good for us, it feels 100% like cheating. Let’s get away with it.

a plate with black bean corn salad with feta, tomato, and limes

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Why You’ll Love This Corn and Black Bean Salad Recipe

Versatile. Have it for work lunch, spoon it over Shredded Chicken Tacos, serve it as a side dish instead of veggies or rice, or scoop it up with tortilla chips—you have options!
Customizable. Can’t stop yourself from tinkering with recipes? Oh, then this is the black bean salad for you! Add garlic, diced red onion, jalapeño for kick, red pepper for crunch, or yes, just eat it as-is.
Perfect for Summer. Sweet summer corn! No cooking! This easy-peasy salad is made for summertime.

Fresh black bean corn salad with feta and tomatoes

5 Star Review

“Just made this salad tonight as our main course! Absolutely delicious!”
— Ansley —

About This Black Bean Corn Salad

Made with corn, black beans, feta, tomatoes, literally any green herb, and a squeeze of lime (or balsamic vinegar or even apple cider vinegar), this is a no-cook/raid-your-garden-and-pantry scenario, and it totally works.

You can get fancy if you are feeling it—this Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Tomato can attest to the elevated smokiness that grilled corn adds to a salad—but it’s not mandatory by any means.

You can even use frozen corn right out of the bag. That will work too.

In addition to being a dynamite summer side, this healthy black bean and corn salad has main dish potential, especially on those hot, humid days when you don’t want to cook and you’re craving something light.

How to Make Black Bean Corn Salad

The Ingredients

Black Beans. Creamy and hearty, canned black beans make this salad more filling. Black beans are healthy too. They’re packed with fiber and potassium. (For extra credit, you can cook them from dried via Instant Pot Black Beans if you like.)
Corn. A sweet match for the black beans! While corn can get a bad rap for being starchy, it does offer some wonderful health benefits. Fresh corn is a good source of fiber and contains oodles of vitamins. Plus: the sweetness!
Tomatoes. Juicy bursts of sweet tomato flavor are scrumptious with the corn and black beans.
Feta. A creamy, salty, cheesy addition, it gives a nod to Mexican street corn. Cotija cheese works too!
Herbs. I used a mix of mint and fresh cilantro. The mint is especially surprising and refreshing. Any blend of tender garden herbs will work well.
Fresh Lime Juice. Brings brightness and zip to every bite.

Substitution Tip!

Just about any acid will work here. Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are both excellent options. You could also make this a black bean and corn salad with balsamic vinegar (if you use a vinegar, reduce it to 1 tablespoon to start).

The Directions

Vegetables, cheese, herbs, and beans in a bowl

Prep the Veggies. Slice the kernels from the cob and place them in a large bowl with the rest of the salad ingredients (save some of the feta for serving).
Combine. Stir and top with the remaining feta.
Chill. Let set in the refrigerator for a few minutes (if you can resist). ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad. For additional creaminess, add 1 diced avocado, either in addition to or in place of the feta. Since avocado can turn brown, wait to add until within 1 hour of serving. This is a great option if you need the salad to be vegan or dairy-free. (The salad is already gluten-free.)
Sautéed Corn Black Bean Salad. Heat 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes. (If using canned or frozen, thawed corn, pat it dry first.) Let cool, then add to the salad as directed.
Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad. In a mixing bowl, coat the corn kernels with 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil. Spread the kernels into an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned, tossing once or twice throughout (watch carefully at the end so they don’t burn!). Let cool, then add to the salad as directed.
Grilled Corn Black Bean Tomato Salad. Lightly char the ears on a grill over medium heat; let cool, and cut the kernels from the cob. Add to the salad as directed.
Honey Lime Dressing. For a black bean and corn salad with honey-lime dressing (YUM!), whisk 2 tablespoons of honey into the dressing ingredients. If you love honey dressing, check out this Fruit Salad too!

Storage Tips

To Store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Corn and black bean salad with feta on a plate

Leftover Ideas

This recipe is easy to make ahead, and black bean corn salad can last several days in the refrigerator. Try your leftovers in one of these creative ways.

As a Burrito or Quesadilla. Warm up the leftovers, then tuck them into a tortilla, and enjoy it as a burrito or pan fry it, quesadilla-style. Add some Grilled Chicken Tenders for additional protein.
With Grains. Toss this salad with your favorite cooked grain. Quinoa black bean corn salad sounds tasty, or pair it with farro or classic brown rice.
As a Salad. Pile it onto a bed of lettuce for an easy salad variation. Drizzle with extra lime juice and olive oil for a quick dressing.
As a Dip. Serve this as a dip with a side of tortilla chips for a spin on black bean and corn salsa.

What to Serve with Black Bean Corn Salad

Tex-Mex Dishes. We’re talking Cauliflower Tacos, Chipotle Bowls, and anything else with some Tex-Mex flair.
Chicken. Serve this salad alongside Air Fryer Chicken Thighs or Grilled Chicken Breasts.
Sandwiches and Burgers. Who needs chips?! Pair this salad with Spicy Chicken Sandwiches or Vegan Burgers.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Citrus Juicer. An easier way to juice lemons and limes; you’ll get far more juice from every fruit.
Mixing Bowls. Perfect for prepping salads like this one.
Sharp Chef’s Knife. Perfect for cutting corn off the cob.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Don’t Leave Kernel on the Cob. Make sure when you’re cutting the kernels off the ear, you’re cutting as much as possible the first time, rather than slicing the kernels in half and having to make a second pass to get the rest. You want whole kernels in the salad, not bits of them! Read my tips for de-kerneling corn below.
Gently Stir. This keeps the feta from breaking down too much and prevents the tomatoes from being crushed.
Let the Flavors Meld. While you can eat this black bean corn salad right away (and you will obviously want to), it’s even better if you let it chill in the fridge for juuuust a bit to let the flavors mix and mingle.

How to Easily Cut Corn from the Cob

Tired of the kernels you cut from the cob flying all over your counter? Here are a few ideas to try.

Stand the corn up in a shallow bowl, and very carefully use a sharp knife to cut along the sides of the cob. The bowl will catch all the kernels.
Lay the corn on a cutting board, and cut the kernels off one side of the cob. Rotate the cob so the cut (flat) side is down, and cut another side. Continue until all sides are done.
Stand the corn up in the hole of a bundt pan, and carefully cut the kernels off of each side. The kernels will fall off the cob and into the bundt pan.

Black bean corn tomato salad on a blute plate

Black Bean Corn Salad Video

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Save RecipeReview Print

Black Bean Corn Salad

4.81 From 105 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 15

Cook: 0

Total: 15

Servings: servings

Save RecipeReview Print

This easy black bean and corn salad tastes like summer! Use fresh or frozen corn to make this light, fast, and delicious healthy summer side.

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Ingredients

2 cups corn kernels from 4 to 5 ears, or frozen corn kernels*
1 14-ounce can reduced sodium black beans rinsed and drained
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
½ cup chopped fresh mint basil, parsley, or cilantro (or a mix!)**
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice from about 1 lime***
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces feta cheese crumbled (about 1 cup), divided

Instructions

Place your corn kernels in a large mixing bowl. If using fresh kernels, include any of the milk that comes off the cob. If using frozen corn, you don’t even need to thaw it all the way first.
To the bowl, add the black beans, tomatoes, mint, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, and two-thirds of the feta.
Stir to combine, then taste and adjust the salt and pepper as desired. Sprinkle the final one-third feta over the top.
If time allows, place in the refrigerator to set for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

*For options to roast, grill, or saute the corn before adding it to the salad, see the blog post above. My favorite way to make this (because it’s the ideal meeting point between extremely easy and delicious) is to use corn cut freshly from the cob, without cooking it at all.
**My favorite is a blend of half mint, half cilantro. For those who don’t care for cilantro, basil is also wonderful and very summery.
***In place of lime, you can play around with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or 1/2 to 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (apple cider vinegar is the strongest). If the salad comes out too acidic for your taste with one of the vinegars, drizzle in a little honey or sprinkle on some sugar to balance it.
TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
TO MAKE IN A MASON JAR: I love meal-prepping this salad in large mason jars. I start with the dressing at the bottom, then pile the tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheese, and herbs on top. I finish my jar with a handful of romaine lettuce for crunch and freshness. Mine kept well in the refrigerator for 3 days. You can find more details and salads here in my Mason Jar Salads recipes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 11gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 17mgPotassium: 515mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 649IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 3mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black Bean and Corn Salad Be Frozen?

Technically speaking, it can be frozen, but the texture and flavor will suffer a great deal upon freezing and thawing, so I don’t recommend it.

What Happens If You Don’t Rinse Black Beans?

If you don’t rinse black beans, your dish will be higher in sodium and have a bit more bean-y flavor and aroma.

Which Dressing Works Best With a Bean Salad?

A light vinaigrette made with olive oil and an acid like lime juice or vinegar is best with a bean salad. Spice it up with some cumin or a clove of garlic and don’t forget to season with salt and pepper!

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Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

Black Bean Corn Salad

Why You’ll Love This Corn and Black Bean Salad Recipe

5 Star Review

About This Black Bean Corn Salad