I was at a party some time ago, and someone brought a shareable that had all kinds of deliciousness in it. Naturally, I wanted to know what it was and what was in it.
The person who made it called it Texas caviar and began to rattle off a laundry list of ingredients. She stopped midway and said she’d email the recipe to me instead. I can only guess that she realized it was entirely too complicated to list, much less remember. Or it’s possible she stopped because the expression on my face said it all, “holy crap, really, you used all of that?”
While I liked her dish a lot, there was no way I was going to remake it the way she described. I’m a believer that flavorful and tasty food doesn’t necessarily mean tons of ingredients or time in the kitchen. Instead of using all the added ingredients she reeled off like oil, sugar, and vinegar, I created this version focusing on what made the dish so good in the first place: beans and corn with crunchy peppers and onions.
There’s truly little prep work needed for this corn and black bean salsa recipe. I use canned beans, corn, and green chilies to keep it as simple as possible. Chop the veggies and mix all the ingredients together in a bowl with a few seasonings. Then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Super easy, right?
Because I usually have these items in the pantry, I’m armed and ready to make a batch whenever I get a hankering for Tex-Mex flavors or when friends stop over for a visit. It’s delicious as an appetizer and makes a wonderful side dish. The perfect choice for parties, potlucks, tailgating, and cookouts.
It’s a fiesta in a bowl!
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Worry-Free Cooking |
- While there’s minimal chopping needed with this recipe, you’ll still need a good, sharp knife and cutting board to chop up the onions, peppers, and tomato. I recommend a Miyabi Chef's Knife and Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards. These are true workhorses in the kitchen.
- Don’t forget your Good Grips Wooden Spoon. It’s perfect for blending all the ingredients.
- Pick your favorite chips and serve alongside a bowl of salsa on a beautiful platter. I recommend something like this beautiful Chip and Dip Bowl.
- You’ll need a mixing bowl along with an air-tight container for storing in the refrigerator. I recommend this Mixing Bowl with a Lid, which is what I use. It is so convenient to pop the lid on after mixing and toss in the fridge.
- This is a quick recipe that uses canned beans and corn, which means you’ll need a good can opener. I use a handheld Lock N’ Lift Opener because I’m not fond of clutter on my countertops. If you prefer an electric opener, this Smooth Edge Can Opener is the way to go. It has super sharp blades that cut on the outside of the can to avoid food contamination.
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Menu Planning |
- This is a fan favorite at parties when served alongside a bowl of crunchy dipping chips. I prefer scoopable tortilla chips; but, hey, it’s your party. Pick your favorite chips and serve on a platter. Let the party begin!
- This salsa is so versatile. Try adding a heaping helping on a taco salad. It’s also the perfect topper for omelets, baked potatoes, cooked fish, and grilled chicken. It’s great for taco night or on a bowl of rice topped with carnitas. In addition to a dip and a topper, it makes the ideal side dish for almost any Mexican-inspired meal. Delish!
- The longer this sets, the better it gets. That makes it the perfect make-ahead dish. Once you combine all the ingredients in a bowl, cover and let it rest in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- Store fresh-made or leftover salsa in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days. After that, the tomatoes tend to get a little mushy.
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Drink Pairings |
- Beer is the ideal partner for chips and dip. While I’m not a huge beer drinker, I do like hoppy and unfiltered IPAs. Both pair well with this dish. A tall glass of Mexican beer like Modelo or Pacifico also pair nicely. Whatever you choose, be sure to serve Mexican style with a lime wedge and in a tall, cold glass. ¡Salud!
- There’s nothing better than an ice-cold margarita with Mexican-inspired foods like this salsa.
- It wouldn’t be fair to leave wine lovers with nothing to drink with their chips and salsa. Sangria, either red or white, tops my list for a wine pairing. Try serving a tasty, bottled sangria option, and toss in some frozen bite-sized pieces of fruit to use as ice cubes when serving. Fun!
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Helping Hand |
- Beans are at the heart of this dish, so no skipping on this ingredient. Good substitutes for black beans are pinto or black-eyed peas. No matter which canned bean you use, you’ll want to make sure to drain completely. I don’t rinse the beans, though you can if you’d like.
- Fresh or thawed frozen corn are good substitutes for canned corn in this recipe. Leftover corn on the cob also works well. Remove kernels from the husk and toss into the bowl.
- I like creating colorful salsa, which is why I used a yellow bell pepper. Green, orange, or red peppers work just as well.
- White onions are the crunchiest and offer the most pungent, yet sweet flavor for this recipe. I like them best; however, a red onion is the next best choice.
- Dried simply won’t do, so be sure to use fresh, chopped cilantro. Add more if you’re a diehard fan of this herb like I am. Or, of course, you can easily leave it out altogether if you’d like.
- You can easily substitute ingredients or add spices, like cayenne pepper, however your palette desires. Try adding diced mangoes or peaches for a refreshing fruity twist. I’ve even added cooked pasta and cut up grilled chicken to create a whole salad experience. Go ahead, be a little daring and get creative.
- For the best flavor, you’ll want to let the salsa sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to one hour. This allows all the ingredients to meld and the seasonings to intensify. Serving it cold is best.
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Grocery & Gourmet |
- If you haven’t tried it yet, give Agalima Margarita Mix a try. It’s one of the best on the market, and it makes the perfect pairing for this salsa. And whether you’re serving it up frozen or on the rocks, keep your drinks colder longer with a frozen margarita glass.
- Sangria tops my list for wine pairings with this dish. Bottled sangria is a fantastically delicious option, so give it a try. Freeze some bite-sized pieces of fruit to use as ice cubes when serving. Fun!
