An easy Black Bean and Corn Salsa packed with black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice! Full of flavor and color, it’s ready in only 15 minutes and is the perfect appetizer, dip, or side dish.
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Summer cookouts are never complete without this black bean and corn salsa.
I like to call this dip my dirty little secret because it’s one of those recipes that everyone asks for at the end of the party,and when I give it to them,they’re so surprised at how simple it is!
Here’s why I love this so much:
- It’s quick and easy. This recipe comes together in only 15 minutes and is truly one of the easiest dishes you can make. Just dump everything together in a bowl,mix it up,and voila!. This salsa tastes better the longer it sits,making it perfect for prepping ahead of time.
- Made with healthy ingredients. This appetizer uses lots of vegetables and healthy ingredients,such as black beans,corn,tomatoes,red onion,and more.
Ingredients
- Black beans:I used canned black beans with no salt to make it easier to control the sodium. Make sure to drain and rinse them of their liquid.
- Corn:I used canned whole sweet corn kernels. You can also use fresh corn when it’s in season or frozen corn. You’ll need 1 ½ cups,which is about 3-4 ears of corn.
- Tomatoes:I used fresh Roma tomatoes and diced them. I recommend using fresh over canned tomatoes because they add texture and aren’t too mushy.
- Jalapeños:I seeded and deveined the peppers so it would give the jalapeño taste without the spice,but feel free to leave them in if you want it spicy.
- Garlic,cilantro,and red onion:I added minced garlic for extra flavor and red onion for a kick. I like using red onions for fresh salsas and garnishes for their tanginess. Fresh cilantro is also a must for its brightness.
- Olive oil,lime juice,honey:These ingredients add extra moisture,and act as a vinaigrette to coat the salsa and help meld the flavors together.
- Seasonings:I used a simple combination of cumin,salt,and black pepper.
How to Make Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Just mix and serve! Add all the ingredients to a large serving bowl. Gently toss together to combine and serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish.
You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
- Let it sit.If you have time,I recommend letting the salsa sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to help the flavors and juices really meld together and soak into the corn and beans.
- Use fresh if available.If it’s summertime and you want to take advantage of using fresh corn,do it! You’ll need about 1 ½ cups of freshly cooked corn,which is about 3-4 ears of fresh corn. You can boil the ears of corn,saute it in some butter,or grill it for a smoky charred flavor.
How to Serve
This black bean and corn salsa is great served with tortilla chips or as a side dish for meats and seafood. It’s also great sprinkled on salads! Here are my favorite pairings:
Variations
- Use different beans.You can swap the black beans for any other canned bean,like pinto or red beans,or even black-eyed peas.
- Make it spicy.Adjust the spice level by leaving in the jalapeño seeds or using a serrano pepper instead. To make it not spicy,omit the jalapeño altogether.
- Add fruit.Add some sweetness by adding 1 cup of diced mango or pineapple. This works especially well if you’re serving it as a side dish for meat and fish.
- Make it creamy.Add in 2 diced avocados for a creamy element in each bite!
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Recipes
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
An easy Black Bean and Corn Salsa packed with black beans,corn,tomatoes,red onion,cilantro,and lime juice!
Notes
- Let it sit.If you have time,I recommend letting the salsa sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to help the flavors and juices really meld together and soak into the corn and beans.
- Use fresh if available.If it’s summertime and you want to take advantage of using fresh corn,do it! You’ll need about 1 ½ cups of freshly cooked corn,which is about 3-4 ears of fresh corn. You can boil the ears of corn,saute it in some butter,or grill it for a smoky charred flavor.
Nutrition Information
Serving:1serving,Calories:114kcal(6%),Carbohydrates:20g(7%),Protein:4g(8%),Fat:2g(3%),Saturated Fat:0g,Polyunsaturated Fat:0g,Monounsaturated Fat:1g,Trans Fat:0g,Cholesterol:0mg,Sodium:545mg(23%),Potassium:192mg(5%),Fiber:5g(20%),Sugar:5g(6%),Vitamin A:350IU(7%),Vitamin C:21.5mg(26%),Calcium:70mg(7%),Iron:0.5mg(3%)
Photography by Erin Jensen of The Wooden Skillet.