Grilled Corn Black Bean Salad (Print version)

Charred corn, black beans, crisp veggies and lime dressing tossed with avocado and chips for a bright, filling summer salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 ears fresh corn, husked
02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
05 - 1 small romaine lettuce head, chopped
06 - 1 avocado, diced

→ Beans & Additions

07 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese (optional)
10 - 1/2 cup tortilla chips, lightly crushed

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp olive oil
12 - Juice of 2 limes
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp honey or agave syrup
16 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the corn with a little olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and tender, about 8–10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut kernels off the cob.
02 - In a large bowl, combine grilled corn kernels, black beans, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, honey, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add the chopped lettuce, avocado, and cilantro to the salad bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine.
05 - Top with crumbled cheese and tortilla chips just before serving for crunch.
06 - Serve immediately as a main dish or a hearty side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • There’s a secret cheerfulness in every bite—sweet corn, creamy avocado, and zippy dressing wake up your taste buds.
  • It’s endlessly adaptable, and you can prep most of it ahead of time—making it my sneaky go-to for potlucks or lazy dinners.
02 -
  • If you add the tortilla chips too early they’ll go limp—wait until the very last second.
  • Mixing in the dressing before the lettuce is chopped can make everything soggy—fold it in gently at the end.
03 -
  • Chopping everything roughly the same size makes for perfect forkfuls—your guests notice the difference.
  • Letting the grilled corn cool completely before cutting keeps the kernels intact and sweet, not steamy and mushy.
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