Name: Black Bean Salad Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons lime zest; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder (use smoked paprika or chili powder to substitute); 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional- depends on the sweetness of the mango); 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2-3 teaspoons jalapeno, minced; 14-ounce can black beans, drained (1 1/2 cups); 1/2 cup red onion, chopped finely; 1 cup red bell pepper (or other sweet colored bell pepper), diced; 1 1/2 cups corn (fresh steamed or grilled, or frozen roasted corn is great here too); 1 1/2 cups mango, cut in small cubes (1-2 mangos); 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped- tender stems are fine; 1 large avocado, cut in small cubes (add right before serving)

Where healthy meets delicious!

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The hardest part about this Black Bean Salad is not eating it straight from the bowl. Sweet mango, creamy avocado, fresh corn, and a zesty lime dressing make every bite taste like summer. Ready in under 30 minutes, a healthy, protein-packed salad for meal prep, potlucks, and easy summer meals.

black bean salad with mango, corn, avocado, and red bell pepper in a bowl with a lime wedge, fresh cilantro, and a spoon lifting a spoonful up.

This is the kind of summer salad I always want tucked away in the fridge. Packed with black beans, sweet corn, juicy mango, creamy avocado, and crisp vegetables, it’s tossed in a bright chili-lime dressing that only gets better with time. As the flavors mingle, every bite becomes more vibrant, balanced, and downright irresistible-making it the perfect meal-prep salad for times when you don’t feel like cooking.

Why you’ll love this Fresh Black Bean Salad recipe!

Vibrant summer flavor. Sweet mango, crisp veggies, creamy avocado, and a zesty chili-lime dressing make every bite bright, refreshing and full of seasonal flavor.

Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients. Simple, wholesome ingredients come together in less than 30 minutes with quick and easy prep.

Make-ahead-friendly. The flavors deepen and become even more delicious as it chills, making this a great salad for lunches throughout the week.

ingredients for black bean salad laid out - fresh cilantro bunch, mango, avocado halves, small glass bowl of olive oil, jalapeño, red onion, bowl of black beans, three limes, two ears of corn, red bell pepper, small ceramic dish with salt, cumin, and ancho chili powder.

Black Bean Salad Recipe Ingredients

Black beans: Add hearty texture, plant-based protein, and fiber. Canned black beans are an easy option, just make sure to rinse and drain them well. Or, learn how to cook black beans from scratch!
Corn: Use fresh steamed corn, grilled corn, or even frozen roasted corn (an easy year-round option). Fresh summer corn offers the sweetest flavor, but grilled corn adds a delicious smoky flavor.
Mango: For natural sweetness that perfectly balances the tangy lime dressing and mild heat from the jalapeño. Choose a ripe mango that gives slightly when gently squeezed.
Avocado: For creamy texture, richness, and balance. Add it just before serving to preserve its fresh texture.
Jalapeño: For a subtle kick! Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor or leave them in for more heat.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness, crunch, and beautiful color. You can use any other sweet colored bell pepper.
Red onion: Provides a sharp, fresh bite. For a milder onion flavor, soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.
Fresh cilantro: Adds a bright, herby finish to tie everything together.
Lime zest and lime juice: For fragrant citrus and bright acidity to create the most vibrant dressing.
Spices (ancho chili powder and cumin): Ancho chili powder adds smoky warmth. You can substitute smoked paprika or chili powder. Cumin provides an earthy depth that complements the black beans and dressing.
Maple syrup: Optional, for added sweetness. Depending on the sweetness of the mango, you may or may not need it.
Olive oil: Creates a smooth, cohesive dressing. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.

How to Make Black Bean Salad

1. Mix the dressing. Add lime zest and juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, maple syrup, and salt to a large bowl and stir.

chopped veggies for black bean salad on a wood board with a sharp knife - red bell pepper, mango, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and corn.

large glass bowl with chili lime dressing next to wood cutting board with chopped veggies for black bean salad.

2. Chop the veggies and herbs. Mince the jalapeño and red onion, chop the bell pepper and cilantro, and cube the mango and avocado (if serving immediately).

glass bowl with each component added to make black bean salad - black beans, mango, red bell pepper, corn, red onion, and fresh cilantro.

3. Assemble the salad. Add the jalapeño, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, mango, black beans, and corn to the bowl with the dressing. Toss until combined, then taste and adjust, adding more lime, maple syrup, or salt as needed. Add the avocado just before serving.

black bean salad with bell pepper, avocado, red onion, cilantro, mango, and corn in a ceramic bowl with a spoon lifting a spoonful up.

Chef’s Tips

Add avocado just before serving. This will keep it fresh and creamy and prevent browning.
Let the salad chill. Black bean salad gets even better after resting for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the salad gives it time to soak up the flavorful dressing.
Taste before serving. Depending on the sweetness of your mango and the tartness of your limes, you may want an extra squeeze of citrus, pinch of salt, or drizzle of maple syrup.
Used grilled corn when you can. The smoky char adds incredible depth and makes the salad taste like summer.
Double the batch! This is one of those salads that disappears quickly and tastes even better the next day. It won’t hurt to double up!

Serving Suggestions

Top with protein. Add grilled chipotle chicken, spicy Mexican shrimp, blackened salmon, or jerk tofu for an easy protein-packed lunch or dinner.
Serve as a side dish with fish tacos, turkey burgers, or bbq tofu sliders.
Spoon it into breakfast tacos or breakfast burritos!
Serve it will tortilla chips as a hearty dip for parties!
Pile it over mixed greens for an easy lunch.
Turn it into a bowl with cilantro lime rice or quinoa and grilled vegetables.