Filled with juicy tomatoes, creamy black beans and zesty lime juice, this black bean salsa is sure to be a hit! Ready in minutes, enjoy it as a fresh dip with tortilla chips, a topping for tacos and more.
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This black bean salsa has been a go-to snack in our house for years.
And once you've tried it, you'll see why! I'm sure you'll love it as much as we do because it's:
- Fresh and Vibrant. This salsa is bursting with fresh flavor and bright color, making it both pretty and delicious.
- Wholesome Ingredients. All you need is a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients to make this recipe. Plus you can totally customize it!
- Easy. With no cooking required, and just a bit of chopping, it is pretty quick to prepare.
- Versatile. Enjoy it as an appetizer with tortilla chips, a side dish, a topping for tacos and more.
The Ingredients
- Tomatoes- The more fresh and flavorful the better! You can use diced cherry tomatoes or a large tomato such as Roma or beefsteak. To make the salsa extra pretty, I love using multi-colored heirloom tomatoes if I have them.
- Black Beans- The star of this fresh salsa, you can make your own black beans from scratch or simply use canned beans. Either way, ensure that they are well drained and rinsed.
- Corn- For ease, I typically use frozen or canned corn but to take it up a level, try using charred corn. You can also omit the corn if you prefer.
- Red Onion- In order to give the onion less bite (and reduce onion breath), soak the diced onion in cold water for 10-20 minutes, then drain and add to the recipe. If you want milder onion flavor, you can substitute with 1 bundle of chopped green onions instead.
- Cilantro- I love the fresh flavor that cilantro lends to any fresh salsa or pico de gallo. But if you don't have any or aren't a fan (or if it taste like soap to you), you can definitely omit it.
- Lime Juice- This provides most of the liquid for this black bean salsa and the sweet acidity also brings the flavors together. For best flavor, I recommend using a fresh lime but bottled will work in a pinch. Lemon would also work but have a slightly different flavor.
- Garlic Powder- I like to use garlic powder as I find fresh garlic to have a lot of bite. But feel free to substitute 1 clove of freshly minced garlic instead.
- Sea Salt- Table or kosher salt will also work; adjust to taste.
- Black Pepper
The Method
1. Prepare vegetables. Finely dice the onions, place them into a bowl with cold water and set aside. Dice the tomatoes, drain and rinse the corn and black beans and chop the cilantro. After the onions have soaked for a minimum of 10 minutes (but ideally 15-20), drain the water off.
2. Mix. Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine. Taste and add more salt, pepper, garlic and lime juice as desired.
3. Chill. For best flavor, refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (and up to 1 day).
4. Enjoy!
Leftovers and Storage
Make Ahead: This salsa is a great recipe to make ahead because it tastes even better the next day as the flavors have a chance to combine.
To Store: Store leftover black bean pico de gallo salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and serve chilled.
Make it Your Own
This recipe is extremely customizable! Feel free to vary the amount of add ins to suit your tastes and leave out anything you don't like. Or try some of these ideas:
- Make It Spicy- If you like your salsa with some heat, add a finely chopped jalapeño to the mix. For less spice, remove the seeds and membranes first.
- Add Avocado- Incorporate one diced avocado for an extra creamy texture (or serve it alongside Lemon Guacamole).
- Make It Fruity- Add some diced mango or pineapple for a sweet twist that pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors. (Or make a batch of pineapple salsa).
How to Serve Black Bean Salsa
- As an Appetizer: Enjoy this with tortilla chips or as a topping for nachos for a delicious and easy snack.
- As a Topping: Use it as a fresh topping for burrito bowls or tacos (I love it on ground beef tacos).
- As a Side Dish: Pair it with grilled chicken or fish, or turn it into a salad (you can try adding a couple of handfuls of greens) for a refreshing and healthy side.
- With Eggs: Serve it with a frittata or add it to an omelet or scrambled eggs for some fresh flavor.
Tips for the Best Black Bean Salsa
- Use Fresh Ingredients. Since there are so few ingredients, quality makes a big difference in the outcome. Use fresh lime and flavorful tomatoes for the best taste.
- Make it Ahead of Time. Prepare a few hours in advance so that the flavors have time to blend and develop.
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Recipe Card
Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ cups tomatoes diced in ¼-1/2 inch cubes (about 2 large or 1 pint cherry tomatoes)
- 1 (19 oz) can black beans (or 1 and ½ cups)
- 1 cup corn canned, frozen or fresh cooked
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped (about ¼ of an onion)
- 2 tablespoon cilantro finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon lime juice (about 1 lime)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt plus additional to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Dice the onions and place them in a bowl with cold water (this helps to reduce their bite). Dice the tomatoes and chop the cilantro. Drain and rinse the corn and black beans. After a minimum of 10 minutes, drain the onions.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour, for best flavor.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Tara says
This salsa is fantastic! More filling than traditional salsa, this is a great snack or party appetizer. Yum!
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Tara!
kushigalu says
My all time favorite salsa recipe. My family loves this a lot.
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kushigalu!
MacKenzie says
I have made something similar to this before but love the addition of black beans it adds a whole other flavor and texture.
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, MacKenzie!
Ieva says
Delicious! Served this salsa with fajitas last night and enjoyed it very much! Good amount of lime and onion - didn't overpower other flavours! A perfectly balanced recipe 🙂
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Ieva!
nancy says
this corn and black bean salsa is super easy and really great side for parties and gatherings
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, Nancy!