Black Bean Corn Salsa with Avocado

This black bean corn salsa is fresh, chunky, and full of texture from sweet corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and creamy avocado. It comes together in 10 minutes and works as a dip, taco topping, or easy summer side dish.

This black bean and corn salsa is chunky, bright, and hearty enough to serve as a dip, taco topping, or simple summer side dish. It's made with sweet corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and creamy avocado for a fresh salsa that has plenty of texture and flavor.

I like adding cumin, cayenne, and fresh garlic to give it more depth than a basic corn salsa, while the lime juice keeps everything zippy and helps slow the avocado from browning. It comes together in 10 minutes, and if you have time to chill it for an hour, the flavors get even better.

Serve it with guacamole, roasted sweet potato enchiladas, or portobello tacos!

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why You'll Love This 10-Minute Salsa
• 🍅 Ingredients You'll Need
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Salsa Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How To Make Black Bean Corn Salsa
• ⏲ Tips For the Best Black Bean Salsa with Corn
• Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
• 🍽️ How to Serve Corn and Black Bean Salsa
• FAQS
• 🌮 More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
• Black Bean Corn Salsa Recipe

⭐️ Why You'll Love This 10-Minute Salsa

• Ready in 10 minutes: Just chop, stir, and serve.
• Chunky, not watery: Black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, and avocado give it plenty of texture.
• Fresh but hearty: It works as a dip, taco topping, side salad, or grain bowl add-in.
• Easy to customize: Use fresh, frozen, or canned corn, adjust the spice, or leave the avocado out if making it ahead.
• Naturally vegan and gluten-free: Just pair it with gluten-free tortilla chips if needed.

🍅 Ingredients You'll Need

• Corn - Fresh corn is great in summer, but frozen thawed corn keeps this recipe easy year-round. Canned corn also works; drain it well.
• Black beans - Drain and rinse well so the salsa doesn't get cloudy or too salty.
• Cherry tomatoes - They add juicy sweetness without making the salsa too watery. Halve or quarter them depending on size.
• Red onion - Adds crunch and sharpness. For a milder flavor, rinse the diced onion under water.
• Jalapeño - Remove the seeds and membrane for less heat, or leave some in for a spicier salsa.
• Lime juice - Adds brightness and helps to prevent the avocado from browning.
• Avocado - Add it last so it stays chunky instead of getting mashed.

👩🏼‍🍳 Salsa Variations & Substitutions

• Make a salad. Serve over a bed of fresh spinach or arugula to turn it into a summer salad.
• Turn it into a grain bowl. Serve over brown rice, quinoa, barley, etc. for a heartier meal.
• Add smoked paprika. Give it a delicious smoky flavor by adding ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• Add mango. Add ½ cup chopped mango for a sweet and spicy salsa.

🔪 How To Make Black Bean Corn Salsa

*See recipe card below for printable instructions.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (except avocado). Add more salt and cayenne if needed.

Gently stir in avocado (adding this last will prevent it from getting mashed).

Cover and chill in refrigerator for around 1 hour.

⏲ Tips For the Best Black Bean Salsa with Corn

• Drain everything well. Wet beans, canned corn, or watery tomatoes can make this salsa soggy.
• Add avocado last. This prevents it from getting mashed when stirring your salsa.
• Taste before serving. Black beans and avocado need enough salt and lime to keep the salsa bright.
• Use fresh, frozen or canned. corn. Depending on the time of year and what is most convenient for you to use, any of the above variety will work great.
• Let it chill. Even 30 minutes helps the garlic, lime, cumin, and jalapeño flavor the salsa.
• Adjust spice level to your preference. Use less cayenne and jalapeño for mild salsa, or add more for an extra kick.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This salsa tastes best the days it's made, especially once the avocado is added. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but the avocado may soften and brown slightly over time.

To make it ahead, combine everything except the avocado, then fold in the avocado just before serving.

🍽️ How to Serve Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Serve this chunky salsa with tortilla chips as an easy appetizer, or spoon it over tacos, nachos, burrito bowls, salads, or baked sweet potatoes. It also works as a hearty side dish for summer cookouts, potlucks, and taco night.

I especially love it with with my easy refried bean tacos, hearty vegetarian fajitas, easy guacamole, and breakfast tofu scramble.

FAQS

🌮 More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 15 Healthy Weeknight Recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!