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This black bean and corn salad recipe is a zesty, refreshing side dish, salsa, or salad that is perfect for pairing with a meal or eating alone! It’s a healthy recipe that will become your go-to for parties, for quick meals, or easy side dishes. Top it off with avocado for a little extra flavor.
This flavorful black bean and corn salad goes by many names.
It is also called black bean corn avocado salad and, most commonly, black bean and corn salsa.
I have also heard it called black bean, corn, avocado salad because many people (including us) add some fresh slices of avocado to the top before serving.
Some people may also call it Cowboy Salsa or Cowboy Caviar, but those recipes are actually a little different than this Black Bean and Corn Salad.
The Cowboy Salsa has multiple types of beans (along with the corn and some other things).
Whatever you call it, this recipe happens to be one of my daughter’s favorites, so she wanted to pair it up with a children’s book for a cooking project!
How To Make Black Bean and Corn Salad
Making black bean and corn salad is super simple, so even your youngest chefs can help out with it!
It consists of adding black beans and corn to a bowl.
Then, you add chopped red bell peppers, minced garlic, chopped green onions, and cilantro (optional).
Lastly, you make a light “dressing” using olive oil, cayenne pepper, fresh squeezed lime juice, and olive oil.
Toss.
Top with avocado and serve immediately.
So simple, right?
Secret Recipe Tip
Secret Recipe TipIf you’re in “corn season,” then definitely use fresh ears of corn for this recipe!
Sometimes I like to leave my fresh corn on the cob uncooked when I’m adding it to a salad or salsa like this.
It preserves the sweet, crisp flavor of the kernels.
However, if you are using fresh corn on the cob, you can use it cooked or uncooked.
It’s up to you!
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— Jump to Recipe —
Black Bean and Corn Salad Paired with Ivy & Bean Books
We didn’t want to pair this recipe with a book about beans.
Instead we want to introduce you to the Ivy & Bean books.
You see, just like corn and beans, Ivy and Bean couldn’t be more different!
The books are fun and I thought it would be interesting to discuss the character Bean while making a bean salad and compare and contrast Ivy and Bean (to corn and beans).
(And, there are A LOT of discussion points from these books!)
From the author:
One of the big problems of being a kid is that your parents often try to make you play with people you don’t really like.
My parents were forever trying to get me to like the kids of their friends.
These kids were often weird.
I didn’t want to play with them.
It was a problem.
Ivy and Bean are very different: Bean is loud and wild and goofy.
She loves to be involved in games and poke her nose in other people’s business.
Ivy is quiet and full of ideas.
She spends most of her time learning how to be a witch.
Each girl thinks the other one is weird.
Each girl thinks she could never be friends with the other.
But sometimes opposites can become the best of friends because they’re opposites.
Listed Book Age Range: 7-9 years
• CHECK OUT WHY I DON’T PUT “READ AT YOUR LEVEL” RESTRICTIONS ON MY KID •
BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD RECIPE
Black Bean and Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Cans Black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 2 Cans Sweet corn (drained)
- 2 Red bell peppers diced
- 2 Cloves Garlic minced
- 2 Green onions chopped
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro chopped (optional)
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Limes juiced
- 2 Avocados sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, red peppers, garlic, onions and cilantro (optional).
- In a small bowl, combine salt, cayenne pepper, olive oil, and lime juice. Whisk until combined.
- Pour dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Toss until coated.
- Refrigerate until ready to eat.
- Dish individual portions and top with sliced avocado slices immediately before serving.
Notes
- Nutrition information is estimated. Changes to the recipe and use of different brands may cause changes to the nutritional information to vary slightly from the ones provided here.
This is a great addition to any cookout or pitch-in!