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Vegan recipes from my kitchen

Black bean corn avocado salad (vegan and gluten-free)

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Text overlay: Black bean corn avocado salad. Bowl of salad.

Black bean corn avocado salad is a summery side dish that’s great for cookouts. It’s made with pantry staples and in-season ingredients. (And when corn isn’t in season, canned or frozen works too!)

Tossed with a garlicky lime dressing, it has lots of bright flavors and crisp textures.

Serve it as a side dish with a grilled veggie burger, fajitas, or tacos. Or use it like a black bean salsa with tortilla chips. Vegan and gluten-free.

Bowl of black bean corn avocado salad with tortilla chips and red napkin.

Would you look at all of that bright, beautiful color? When produce is in season, you’ve got to just step out of its way, and let it work its magic.

This salad recipe is a terrific example of that.

All of the flavors in this black bean corn avocado salad are beautifully in balance.

The beans and corn have satiating protein.

Corn and red bell pepper adds sweetness.

Cilantro and lime juice adds brightness.

Garlic adds fragrant bite.

And of course, avocado gives it that creamy, fatty quality that makes you want to dig in bite after bite.

The perfect salad or side dish for vegan potlucks, cookouts, and picnics in the yard.

What kind of corn should I use?

When corn on the cob is in season, the fresh stuff works beautifully here. Simply cut the corn kernels off the cob into a mixing bowl. Depending on the size of the corn, you’ll need one or two ears.

If corn isn’t in season or you’d just prefer to simplify, you can use either frozen or canned corn. If you’re using frozen corn, be sure to thaw it first. If you’re using canned corn, remember to drain it before using.

Overhead salad ingredients: avocado, lime dressing, bell pepper, black beans, and corn.

How to make black bean corn avocado salad

Put the following into a large mixing bowl:

  • Black beans
  • Corn
  • Red, orange, or yellow bell pepper
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro

In a small separate bowl, whisk together the following:

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Lime juice
  • Garlic
  • A generous pinch of salt

Garlic tip: I recommend using a Microplane Zester for the dressing. It gets the garlic really small, almost like a paste. That means the garlic is able to easily cover everything evenly. And it means you won’t be left with any surprising chunks of raw garlic. If you don’t have a Microplane, just be sure to mince the garlic as small as you can.

Pour the lime dressing over the black bean salad. Gently combine with a spoon, until everything is evenly coated.

Add more salt, to taste. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges. Then guests can add an extra squeeze of lime to their salads, if they like.

Hand dipping chip into black bean salad with avocado and corn.

Make it your own

Make this salad your own by adjusting the ingredients.

  • Add a Tablespoon or two of red onion or green onions for more bite
  • Add a Tablespoon of diced fresh or jarred jalapeño peppers for heat
  • Add a half cup of halved cherry tomatoes for sweetness
  • Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon cumin to lean into the Southwestern flair

If you add a lot of extra ingredients, add an additional squeeze lime, extra drizzle of EVOO, and another pinch of salt to compensate.

Overhead hand dipping chip into bowl of black bean corn avocado salad.

What to serve with it

This flavorful dish can be eaten as a salad at a potluck or picnic along with a veggie burger or picnic sandwich.

Or you can serve it with tortilla chips, and use it as an appetizer like salsa!

Here are other dishes that would work well with it:

  • Veggie fajitas 
  • Raw tacos
  • Jackfruit carnitas tacos
  • Vegan fish tacos
  • Roasted cauliflower steaks with chimichurri

Can this be made ahead of time?

Because this salad contains avocado, it’s best made just before serving. The avocado is going to be at its greenest and firmest then.

However, the salad does contain lime juice, which helps against browning and oxidizing. So if necessary, the salad can be made 3 to 4 hours ahead of time.

If you want to make the dish a couple days ahead of time, I recommend chopping everything, except for the avocado and cilantro. (Chopped cilantro browns over time.) Store all of the other elements in their own separate containers.

Then when you’re ready to eat, add chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and the other ingredients to a mixing bowl. Toss with the lime dressing.

Close-up salad with corn, avocado, bell pepper, and black beans.

Bowl of black bean corn avocado salad with tortilla chips and red napkin.

Black bean corn avocado salad

Black beans, corn, bell pepper, and avocado come together in one zippy summer salad. It's a delicious addition to a picnic or potluck. Serve it on its own or with tortilla chips for dipping.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Vegan
Keyword: bean salad, gluten free
Prep Time: 14 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 241kcal
Author: Cadry Nelson

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups black beans 1 15 ounce can, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper red or orange, chopped small
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 2 Tablespoons cilantro chopped plus extra for garnish
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice plus extra lime wedges for garnish
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • Generous pinch salt

Instructions

  • Put black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, and cilantro in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • In a small separate bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and a generous pinch of salt.
  • Pour the lime dressing over the black bean mixture. Gently combine with a spoon. Taste for salt and add more, if necessary.
  • Garnish with more cilantro and lime wedges, so that guests can add more lime juice to their serving, if they like.

Notes

For the corn, you can either cut corn right off the cob for the salad, use thawed frozen corn, or canned corn that has been drained.
How to make ahead of time
Because avocado is prone to browning, this salad is best made just before serving. However, the lime juice will help the avocado to keep its color for a while. If necessary, this salad can be made 3 or 4 hours ahead of time. 

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 596mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 771IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Tag @cadryskitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #cadryskitchen!

Content, recipe, and photos updated August 2020. Originally posted October 2012.

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Posted On: August 10, 2020
Comment: Leave a Comment

Comments

  1. VeganLisa says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    You’re such a beautiful genius! Clever, caring and you can cook. Happy MoFo my friend. I love reading your posts – I’m actually staying up too late in Paris to catch up.

    Reply
    • Cadry says

      October 3, 2012 at 8:52 am

      Oh, Lisa, what a sweet thing to say! You’ve totally made my day. I’m sure you’re having a marvelous time in Paris, and I can’t wait to hear all about it.

      Reply
  2. Janae @ Bring-Joy says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    5 stars
    I’m totally into food like this. Simple & so delicious. (I loved your wicked witch of the west smoothie video, btw–you’re great in front of the camera!)

    Reply
    • Cadry says

      October 3, 2012 at 8:54 am

      Yes, there’s something to be said for simple, whole ingredients. They come together quickly with no fuss but lots of fresh flavor. Thanks for the lovely comments about the video! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Mel says

    October 2, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    I love your take on the scarecrow’s song and the salad fits in perfectly with your theme. Your husband’s scarecrow costume is great too!

    Reply
  4. Andrea says

    October 2, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    I’m sure Dr. Oz would be honored to find himself in your post! So funny. The black bean salad sounds perfectly healthy and delicious.

    Reply
  5. Bobbie {the vegan crew} says

    October 2, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    5 stars
    Such a pretty salad, and I love the presentation in the corn husks!

    Reply
  6. Ashley F. says

    October 3, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Yummy! Looks simple and the presentation is lovely!

    Reply
    • Cadry says

      October 3, 2012 at 7:18 pm

      Thank you, Ashley!

      Reply
  7. Cara says

    October 3, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    This is HILARIOUS! I love how your husband, er The Scarecrow, is resting his elbow on Oz’s hip. My favorite post so far 🙂

    Reply
  8. Mandee says

    October 3, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    These posts are so entertaining! And that salad looks delicious, perfect for spring or summer!

    Reply
    • Cadry says

      October 4, 2012 at 11:43 am

      Thank you, Mandee! I’ve also been enjoying the salad as a topping on massaged kale or served with blue corn chips.

      Reply
  9. Kristy says

    October 3, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    I’m with Cara- those pictures of “the Scarecrow” had me cracking up! You definitely married a good man!

    I used to make a black bean and corn salsa all the time and this just reminded me that it’s been a few years. Black beans and corn- what a great pair!

    Reply
  10. Maggie Muggins says

    October 3, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    You really know how to get into the mind of the scarecrow, ha ha. Nicely done! That corn & black bean salad looks delish.

    Reply
  11. Susan says

    August 12, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    There is something so delightful about the combination of corn, black beans, and avocado. And it always makes me think of summer! I’m a fan of mostly just scooping it up with some corn chips, but it is fun used in other ways as well.

    Reply
    • Cadry says

      August 20, 2020 at 10:02 am

      You’re absolutely right. It’s a classic summer combo. Crunchy corn chips make everything better!

      Reply

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Welcome

Hi, I'm Cadry Nelson. I'm the recipe creator, writer, and photographer behind Cadry's Kitchen.

Cadry's Kitchen is a vegan food & travel blog. It features plant-based comfort food classics that are ready in about 30 minutes.

You can also find travelogues & recommendations on where to eat vegan while traveling - even in unlikely places!

Contact me at cadryskitchen@gmail.com.

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