This Black Bean Salsa recipe is fresh, colorful, and delicious. This simple and versatile recipe is made with canned black beans, corn, tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime. Serve it as a dip with chips, as a topper for tacos, or even as a party appetizer.
Love making homemade salsa? Also, try my Easy Homemade Salsa, Shrimp Salsa, and 10 Fresh & Fabulous Fruit Salsas to Make This Summer
Black Bean Salsa
I adore this Black Bean Salsa, which is short on ingredients but big on flavor. It takes a can of humble black beans and turns it into a fresh and vibrant dish everyone will love. Just add diced tomato, red onion, frozen corn, cilantro, and lime. The final touch is a little cumin and garlic powder. The result is a bit of heaven on a chip!
I love this Black Bean Salsa because it can be thrown together in minutes and is also a super budget-friendly recipe. It's perfect to enjoy at home, make for a party, OR take out as your potluck dish. PLUS, you can't go wrong with a dish that's vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-calorie, making it great for so many diets.
It's traditionally served on a chip, but I also love to serve it as a side dish alongside some of my favorite Mexican recipes, like Vegetarian Fajitas, Southwest Black Bean Burgers, or Blackened Shrimp Tacos. Both the twins and the Hubs love this one, too.
What is Black Bean Salsa?
Black Bean Salsa is the perfect blend of black beans, corn, and veggies. Instead of traditional salsa with a mainly tomato base, this one has a mainly black bean base. It's mixed like salsa with lime, cilantro, and taco spices. It's great with chips, but it's also kind of a salad and can even be eaten as a side dish with a fork. The flavors are just perfect, and there are so many ways to enjoy this recipe.
Why you'll love this easy Black Bean Salsa recipe...
- This Black Bean Salsa is made with simple canned beans and just 5 other ingredients! I ALWAYS have a stash of cans in my pantry because of how many recipes use them.
- This recipe is a great source of plant-based protein.
- One serving is only 80 calories.
- It's made with just a handful of pantry staples in less than 10 minutes.
- It tastes so zesty and delicious!
Black Bean Salsa Ingredients:
Here's an overview of my Black Bean Salsa, but keep scrolling for the complete printable recipe with exact amounts.
- Black Beans: Use low-sodium canned black beans. Rinse and drain them before mixing up the salsa.
- Corn: I like using frozen corn kernels for this Black Bean and Corn Salsa. It adds some sweetness, a pop of color, and lots of flavor. If it's summer and you have fresh corn, feel free to use it. If you don't like corn, you can leave this out.
- Tomato: Diced tomatoes are the perfect addition to this recipe. You can use whatever looks the best at the store, but I like Roma tomatoes. You could even make it with halved cherry tomatoes if that's what you have.
- Red Onion: A bright and savory red onion adds a punch to this salsa. You could also substitute green onions or white onions.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro gives salsa that classic flavor you crave. Cilantro is a key flavor here, so I wouldn't substitute it. However, if you don't like cilantro, you can leave it out or substitute parsley.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice adds a lot of flavor. If you have trouble getting good juice out of limes, I LOVE this kitchen gadget. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I use it almost daily.
- Ground Cumin: A touch of cumin brings some warmth to the salsa and adds some depth of flavor.
- Garlic Powder: I like to use garlic powder in this because it distributes the garlic flavor evenly throughout the dish.
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions:
- Carefully drain and rinse the black beans for the Black Bean Salsa.
- Thaw out your frozen corn.
- Chop your veggies, including your tomato, red onion, and cilantro.
- Toss and stir together the black beans, corn, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, and cumin.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve it at room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator. This easy salsa is perfect for taking to a potluck because it doesn't have to stay hot or cold while on a buffet table.
Variations:
I love this Black Bean Salsa as written, but here are some fun ways to mix it up.
- Add Avocado: Add creamy avocado for more texture to this dish. If you do add avocado, just make sure to cut it up and add it to the dish just before serving or it will turn brown.
- Add Taco Seasoning: To make the flavors pop, add my Taco Seasoning Mix.
- Add Bell Pepper: For more crunch, add some green or red bell pepper.
- Don't like Corn?: Just leave it out for a No Corn Black Bean Salsa.
- Make it Spicy: Add some chopped jalapenos.
FAQ:
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers of the Black Bean Salsa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Make Ahead
Yes, it's a great dish to make ahead of time. The flavors start to combine after sitting in the fridge. The hearty black beans hold up to being it a day ahead.
How to eat with black bean salsa?
- As a dip with tortilla chips or crackers.
- With a salad.
- As a topping for any Mexican dish, including tacos or quesadilla.
- Add it to your favorite burrito bowls.
- As a topping for grilled chicken, pork, steak, shrimp, or fish.
- Elevate a baked potato with this on top!
- On nachos.
- Eat it with a spoon as a side dish.
Black Bean Salsa - The Perfect Appetizer
I adore this Black Bean Salsa recipe because it's healthy, tasty, and super versatile. It's perfect for snacks, as a side dish, or as a potluck dish. Plus, this tasty recipe is a crowd-pleaser! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Here are some recipes to serve it with to make it into a tasty meal.
Make it a Meal:
- Blackened Swordfish
- Blackened Shrimp
- Black Bean and Avocado Quesadilla
- Lentil and Quinoa Tacos
- Taco Stuffed Bell Pepper
- Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
- Honey Lime Shrimp Skewers
- Easy Baked Salmon
More Healthy Salsa Recipes
- 10 Fresh & Fabulous Fruit Salsas to Make This Summer
- Easy Homemade Salsa
- Shrimp Salsa
- Watermelon Salsa
- Strawberry Salsa
- Fresh Cranberry Salsa
- Fresh Pineapple Salsa
- Fresh Peach Salsa
- Mango Salsa
- Mango Avocado Salsa
- Pomegranate Salsa
- Blueberry Pineapple Salsa
More Healthy Black Bean Recipes
- Black Bean Brownies
- Black Bean Burgers
- Black Bean and Avocado Quesadilla
- Black Bean Soup
- Black Beans and Rice
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
- Creamy Black Bean Dip
If you make this Black Bean Salsa, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 4 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- ¾ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, juiced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime, garlic powder and cumin. Toss.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with chips or as a side dish.
Notes
Nutrition
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Jar of Lemons says
I love this salsa recipe! You have some delicious, fresh ingredients and it's perfectly put together!
Deborah Brooks says
I am a huge black bean fan and I would eat this by the spoonful! Just saying 🙂
Miz Helen says
I love a great Black Bean Salsa and your recipe looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your post with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Jaime says
I want to make this for all of my get togethers. Looks delicious!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jaime! It's pretty but so simple!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Oh this is beautiful - I love bean and corn salsa and your photography is beautiful!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much!!! I try soooo hard 🙂
Jen@jpabstfitness says
This looks perfect for Summer parties! Happy Anniversary to the Grandparents, love the picture 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Jen! Happy Tuesday!
Jenny @ apples & kale says
This looks really close to a favorite family recipe of ours..."Texas Caviar." 🙂 Delish!!
JulieWunder says
Yes! Totally inspired by that! I've also heard it called Cowboy Caviar.
Jen says
That looks amazing a summery!
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Jen! Thank for stopping by today. Hope to see you back soon!
Annmarie says
YUM! This is my kind of salsa!
JulieWunder says
Me too 🙂
Jess @hellotofit says
Excited to read about March for Babies 🙂 lunches haven't been planned latey, which means I've either been making PB & Js or going out :-/ haha
JulieWunder says
haha! I feel ya!!!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
This will be going on in my kitchen very soon! It is perfect for summer BBQs!
JulieWunder says
Yes! Easy to bring to feed a crowd!
Renee says
70 years is amazing!! And all that cilantro makes me really want this salsa!
JulieWunder says
I agree... give me ALL the cilantro!!!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
This recipe sounds so easy and delicious. Can't wait to give it a try!
I usually eat some kind of salad for lunch.
JulieWunder says
I hope you enjoy it!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
WE were definitely on the same page this week. All of my favorite ingredients! Congrats to your grandparents that awesome.Thanks for linking up with us!
JulieWunder says
Totally! Great minds...
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
Can't wait to hear about the March for Babies! My hubby would LOVE this salsa!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Sue!
Libby Haire says
Whee, Julie, there are so many veggies in this, it looks great!!
Happy anniversary to your "WUNDER"ful grandparents. That is a terrific milestone and something for you and your Hubs to aim toward, too.
Happy Tuesday to you as well.
JulieWunder says
Yes! Such a good goal! I wish the hubs and I would have met younger so we had the change to make it to 70, but we will go for as long as we have!
Have a great day!
Jenny says
70 years?! Wow! That's so amazing! I don't know very many people who have that chance! Happy anniversary to your grandparents! 🙂 This recipe looks so good! I eat a salad with whatever protein we prep at the beginning of each week plus salsa and avocado every single day. This would totally work for me.
JulieWunder says
I know! So cool! It's super yummy and works well in so many ways!
Blane Sherer says
Enjoyed that Grandparent Wunder wedding shot in honor of their 70th wedding anniversary. Thanks for sharing.
JulieWunder says
They are pretty awesome!