Black Bean Corn Salsa
This easy black bean corn salsa is a family favorite! Serve with tortilla chips for a quick appetizer or healthy snack. Perfect for summer parties.
Table of contents
Why This Black Bean Corn Salsa Became Our Go-To Summer Snack
Every evening my husband Josh asks what I want for dinner. Lately my answer has been watermelon and sweet corn. But the other night I decided to mix things up and make this black bean corn salsa with our fresh sweet corn. We have a local produce stand near our house, so I often send him down the road to pick up ears for dinner. I’ve made a grilled sweet corn salad before, but we usually eat the corn plain with watermelon. I love simple summer suppers. This salsa is super easy to make. If you don’t have fresh sweet corn, you can use frozen or canned corn, but fresh is best. I mixed together black beans, sweet corn, green onions, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime. I love how fresh and filling it is. We served it with homemade baked tortilla chips. It makes a great appetizer, side dish, healthy snack, or even dinner. We had chips and salsa with watermelon for dinner. It was the perfect summer meal. If you are looking for an easy salsa recipe, try this one. It is super simple to make. And if you are a football fan, this would be a great recipe for game day. I know I will be making this salsa to munch on while we cheer on our favorite team.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Black Bean Corn Salsa
- It comes together in minutes with no cooking required. Just chop and stir.
- Fresh sweet corn adds a crisp, juicy sweetness that goes well with the creamy black beans and tangy lime.
- It’s versatile enough to serve as a dip with tortilla chips, a side for grilled meats, or a light summer dinner with watermelon.
Key Ingredients for This Homemade Salsa
- Black beans: Use canned black beans for convenience. Drain and rinse them well to remove excess sodium and starch.
- Sweet corn: Fresh corn on the cob gives the best texture and sweetness. If using frozen, thaw and drain. Canned corn should be drained and rinsed.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice is essential. Bottled juice lacks the bright, tangy flavor that makes this salsa pop.
Kitchen Tools for This Easy Salsa Recipe
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Citrus juicer or reamer (optional, but makes juicing limes easier)
Tips for Making the Best Black Bean Corn Salsa
If you are using fresh sweet corn, cut the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife. Hold the ear upright on a cutting board and slice downward. Frozen corn works well too, just thaw it and drain any excess liquid before adding. Canned corn should be drained and rinsed. For the jalapeño, remove the seeds and white ribs if you want a milder salsa. Leave them in for more heat. After mixing everything together, let the salsa sit for about 10 minutes. This gives the flavors time to blend. Taste and add more lime juice or salt as needed. The lime brightens everything up.
Easy Variations for This Black Bean Corn Salsa
For a sweeter twist, add diced mango or pineapple. If you want a smoky flavor, grill the corn before cutting it off the cob. Swap the black beans for pinto or kidney beans if you like. Add a diced bell pepper for extra crunch. To turn this into a heartier dish, stir in cooked quinoa or rice. You can also add a pinch of cumin or chili powder for warmth.
How to Serve This Fresh Corn Salsa
Serve this salsa with tortilla chips for a quick appetizer or snack. It also works great as a topping for tacos, grilled chicken, or fish. Spoon it over a bed of lettuce for a light salad, or serve it alongside burgers at a cookout. For extra creaminess, add diced avocado just before serving.
How to Store Leftover Black Bean Corn Salsa
Store any leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The corn will soften a bit, but the flavors will meld together nicely. Give it a good stir before serving. I do not recommend freezing this salsa because the fresh vegetables will become watery and lose their crunch when thawed.
Black Bean Corn Salsa FAQs
Can I use canned or frozen corn instead of fresh?
Yes, both work. Drain and rinse canned corn. Thaw frozen corn and drain excess liquid before adding.
How far ahead can I make this salsa?
You can make it up to a day in advance. Store it in the fridge and stir before serving. The flavors will blend, but the corn will soften slightly.
How do I make this salsa spicier?
Add more jalapeño, including the seeds and ribs, or use a serrano pepper. You can also add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
Is this salsa gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just make sure your tortilla chips are certified gluten-free if needed.
Can I add avocado?
Yes, dice a ripe avocado and fold it in just before serving. It adds creaminess and pairs well with the lime.
Equipment
- large bowl
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- PT0M
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6 servings
- Cuisine
- Mexican
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine black beans, sweet corn, green onions, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Serve with tortilla chips.
Nutrition (per serving, estimated)
- Calories
- 130 kcal7% DV
- Protein
- 8 g16% DV
- Fat
- 1 g1% DV
- Carbs
- 25 g9% DV
- Fiber
- 7 g25% DV
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Sodium
- 9 mg0% DV
% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet (FDA). Values are estimates — see our nutrition data sources.
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