Grilled Corn Black Bean Salad (Printable version)

Charred corn, black beans, avocado and crisp greens tossed in a lime-cumin vinaigrette, finished with cheese and crushed tortilla chips.

# 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 Steps:

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 Hints:

01 -
  • The chip-crunch on top is as satisfying as the rainbow of colors in every bowl.
  • It’s endlessly adaptable, whether you need a picnic side or a quick vegetarian main.
02 -
  • If you try to mix in the tortilla chips too early, they lose all their crunch and turn soggy fast.
  • Letting the corn cool slightly makes it so much easier to slice off the kernels (and saves your fingertips from a hot surprise).
03 -
  • If your corn isn’t charring, let it sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes before turning.
  • Wait to toss in the avocado—adding it last keeps each bite rich and fresh-cut, never mushy.
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