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When it comes to chunky salsa, this Black Bean and Corn Salsa is a snack time favorite.  It’s packed with veggies and perfect for those who don’t love tomatoes!  Easy to prep and make ahead for the big game, party or late night snack!

 

 

When it comes to this Black Bean Salsa, the reason my family loves it so much is because it’s low on tomatoes.  Our family has an aversion to tomatoes.  We just don’t love them.  We don’t hate them as we’re HUGE fans of this Green Tomato Bread, Bacon Lettuce Tomato Salad and Stuffed Pepper Casserole.  However you’ll never find us just nibbling on a raw tomato.  

Because of this, we have found this Black Bean Corn Salsa to be the PERFECT salsa for us.  It does have tomatoes, and you certainly could add more if you wished. However it’s dominated by bell peppers which add flavor, texture and color.  

 

 

I’ve often called this salsa Rainbow Salsa because it has almost every color of the rainbow!  Beautiful bell peppers, cilantro, red onions, corn and black beans make it a beautiful appetizer for any rainbow or Unicorn themed party too!  Despite being a beautiful rainbow salsa, it’s crowning feature is it’s flavor. 

We’ve been hunted down days later by those who have had it seeking the recipe.  And that right there is the greatest compliment you could ever give someone.  To truly, want the recipe so you can enjoy the dish again will bring joy to any cook or hostess.

 

 

Ingredients for Black Bean and Corn Salsa:

• Red Onion – red onions are sweet and perfect served raw in dips and salsas.  
• Red Bell Pepper – red bell peppers are the sweetest of all bell peppers and add color and flavor to this salsa!
• Yellow Bell Pepper – Colorful and sweet, the yellow bell pepper has a different flavor than red and is a must!
• Orange Bell Pepper – Really, three different colors?  Though you don’t have to, I highly recommend it. Each color has a slightly different sweetness as well as adds color to this rainbow salsa!
• Black Beans – Thoroughly drain and rinse your black beans before adding them to the salsa!  
• Corn – Drain your corn and add this bright and vibrant vegetable to your salsa.  Personally it’s my favorite ingredient!
• Roma Tomatoes – Our family doesn’t love tomatoes, so we add 5 total.  However if you love tomatoes, add a few extras into the mix!  You can’t hurt the salsa by adding or taking a few away.
• Cilantro – Every rainbow needs green!  If you have an aversion to cilantro, skip this ingredient.  Otherwise add it in as the flavor is amazing with the lime juice and other veggies.
• Garlic – You can use fresh garlic that you press yourself, purchased minced garlic or my favorite – garlic paste.  If you’ve not tried garlic paste, it’s PACKED with flavor and our favorite way to add garlic to every dish!
• Black Pepper – Season to taste.  The more pepper you add, the more of a kick you’ll get.
• Seasoning Salt – You can certainly get away with regular salt, but seasoning salt adds more flavor so, why not?!
• Lime Juice – This one is definitely to taste.  Depending on the size of your limes, you may want 1/2 a lime or up to 2 limes to get the right cilantro to lime flavor!

 

 

How to make Black Bean & Corn Salsa?

Step 1: Dice all your veggies!  The key to this incredible salsa is a lot of diced veggies!  So sharpen your knife, whip out your favorite cutting board and pop on a Netflix show.  Scratch that, distracted slicing tends to take a few fingers.  So how about some of your favorite music to sway to as your cutting and dicing!

Step 2: Mix Everything Together – The reality is that you can add the ingredients to this salsa in any order you wish!  I like to add the heartier veggies that bruise the east in first and the more gently ingredients in last.  Once everything is added to your LARGE bowl, mix it up!  

Step 3: Adjust taste!  Taste is everything and you are in control.  So add more garlic, cilantro, lime juice or even jalapenos to get the right flavor for you!

 

 

Tips & Customization:

1. Choose your heat level.  if you do NOT like spice, remove EVERY SINGLE SEED from your jalapenos.  If you like a hint of spice toss in a few seeds.  If you LOVE spice, then add Jalapenos – seeds and all to your salsa.  Just make sure your guests like spice too or place a warning on your serving bowl.  Also when handling jalapenos and especially seeds, the oils WILL get on your skin and stay on there for approximately 24 hours.  I recommend gloves or not scratching your eyes, picking your nose or changing a diaper for 24 hours if you don’t wear gloves.  
2. Char your corn – If you like the flavor of grilled corn, then char your corn.  I find this easiest to do in a VERY hot skillet with a Tablespoon or two of butter.  Then cook up that corn until it is charred and flavorful!
3. Make it your own.  Add avocado, Cotijo cheese, green chilies or more veggies!  Whatever you love in a salsa, feel free to add it!  Personally we love it just as it is, however this is YOUR salsa, and you get to customize it!

 

 

Can I make Black Bean & Corn Salsa with canned beans?

Yes!  In fact it’s recommended!  However if you have leftover black beans from another dish, use those!  Whatever you do, do not use dried black beans.  

What do you eat with Salsa?

This is a two part question.  And should be broken down into two categories.

Fresh Salsa:

I recommend eating fresh salsa with tortilla chips, corn chips.   Choose something sturdier that can hold the weight of your salsa.   If you want a healthier option, you could always offer lettuce cups or endive leaves instead of chips.

Leftover Salsa:

If for some strange reason you have salsa left over after a day or two and aren’t sure what to do with it, then how about using it on one of these tasty options.

• Mexican Kebabs
• Tex Mex Casserole
• Mango Dogs (use this instead of Mango Salsa!)
• Mexican Stuffed Shells
• Tex Mex Pasta Salad
• Topping on your eggs or omelet

 

 

More Nummy Appetizers You’ll Love:

• Jalapeno Popper Dip
• Sausage Cheese Dip
• Avocado Corn Dip
• Bacon Wrapped Stuffing
• Veggie Pizza Appetizer
• Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
• Chipotle Peanuts

 

 

When it comes to healthy, refreshing and flavorful snack choices, we are always a fan of this Black Bean & Corn Salsa.  It makes for a great make ahead snack or something you can take to potluck day at work!

 

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