Black Bean Pico de Gallo (Black Bean Salsa No Corn)

This quick and easy Black Bean Pico de Gallo (also known as black bean salsa with no corn) is such a flavorful side dish or appetizer! I've always been a fan of pico de gallo, and my favorite way to add extra nutrition and turn it into something special is with a humble can of beans! This pico is made with minimal ingredients including pantry staples and a few fresh items, and has a simple lime dressing. Proof that sometimes simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to a great recipe. 😊

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Black Bean Salad no corn overhead view in a glass bowl.

As a dietitian, I always seem to have a few extra cans of black beans in my pantry. And as much as I love traditional pico, when I was creating a recipe for Chicken Fajita Bowls recently I wanted to make a unique pico de gallo or salsa to go with it. It pairs great in a bowl with taco ground beef too. Adding black beans is such a great way to add a lot of flavor and also nutrients including dietary fiber to support gut health and plant protein.

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my Mango Pico de Gallo, Southwest Chicken Bowls, Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, or Sweet Potato Black Bean Turkey Skillet. If you're looking for more delicious recipes for the summer, try my Elote Pasta Salad, Smashed Potato Salad, or Black Bean Corn Salsa recipe that uses whole kernel corn or canned corn.

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Black Bean Pico de Gallo: Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
How to Make Black Bean Pico de Gallo
Dietitian Tip
Video of How to Make Black Bean Pico de Gallo
Black Bean Pico de Gallo Variations
How to Serve Black Bean Pico de Gallo
Storage for Black Bean Pico de Gallo
Expert Tips
FAQ
Related
Perfect for Pairing
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Black Bean Pico de Gallo: Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

This recipe is made with fresh ingredients and some pantry staples. Below are some notes. Check the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient measurements.

ingredients for black bean salsa no corn on a table.

Tomatoes - I use Roma tomatoes because they tend to have more "meat" meaning they have less juice and seeds so they hold together better in recipes like this. With that said, use any variety of fresh tomatoes you prefer. Campari tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes will work, and cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are good options too.
Red Onion - red onion adds crunch and sweetness. A white onion works here too!
Jalapeño- spicy jalapeño adds flavor. If you like things on the mild side of spice, be sure to remove the seeds from your jalapeño peppers. If you like medium heat, leave more of the seeds in. And don't forget to wash your hands after handling a jalapeno!
Black Beans - black beans are a perfect addition and it's what takes this pico de gallo style of salsa from basic to special. They have an earthy flavor and pair perfectly with the tomatoes and onion. If you prefer, you can add in black-eyed peas or pinto beans too.
Fresh Cilantro - fresh cilantro adds zest and amps up the flavor. If you're one of those people for whom cilantro tastes like soap or you're just not a fan of cilantro, just take it out or replace it with fresh parsley.
Fresh Lime Juice - fresh squeezed lime juice brightens up the flavor. You can substitute with lemon juice if you prefer.
Garlic Powder - I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic here because it's a bit more concentrated and a little goes a long way.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - a little bit of salt and pepper ties the flavors together.

How to Make Black Bean Pico de Gallo

Below are the instructions for how to make this easy recipe with photos that I hope are helpful! Check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.

chopped tomtaotes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno in glass bowls.

Step 1: Chop the roma tomatoes, red onion, and fresh cilantro. Remove the jalapeño pulp and seeds and chop the jalapeño. Drain and rinse a can of black beans.

overhead view of ingredients for black bean salsa no corn in a glass bowl.

Step 2: Add the tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño and black beans to a large bowl or medium bowl.

a spoon dishing up a bite of black bean salsa no corn.

Step 3: Add the fresh lime juice, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper and mix everything to combine.

Hint: if you like it with a little more heat, leave in the jalapeño seeds because that's where the spice comes from in a jalapeño.

Dietitian Tip

Adding black beans to this pico de gallo adds dietary fiber to support gut health, plant protein, and other important nutrients including magnesium, and iron! It's a simple way to get more nutrition in every delicious bite.

Video of How to Make Black Bean Pico de Gallo

Here's a video showing how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful!

Black Bean Pico de Gallo Variations

One of my favorite things about making this easy black bean salsa recipe is that there are so many different ways to customize it to your taste preferences. Below are some ideas.

Spicy - add red chili pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Ground cumin or chili powder add tons of flavor too.
Deluxe - add chopped bell peppers, green onions, or green chilies to this homemade salsa for even more texture and nutrition. A red bell pepper will blend in with the tomatoes. Or use a green or yellow bell pepper for an even more colorful dish.
Smoky - if you prefer a smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the mix.
High-Protein - black beans contain plant protein, but if you want to add more throw in some shredded chicken, taco beef, or your favorite white beans.

If you want an option with sweet corn, make this this Black Bean & Fresh Corn Salsa.

How to Serve Black Bean Pico de Gallo

Once you make a big batch of it, you can use this recipe many different ways! Below are some ideas.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas - make sheet pan chicken fajitas and serve this salsa on the side!
As a Delicious Dip - serve this salsa as a party appetizer or side dish with your favorite tortilla chips! It's such a crowd pleaser and a great dish to bring to gatherings or make when you're hosting.
With Scrambed Eggs or in Breakfast Tacos - I love adding the leftovers to my breakfast! I make scrambled eggs and add this pico, diced sweet potatoes, and diced avocado and it's absolutely delicious.
Add it to Tacos - add a big scoop to shredded chicken tacos, shrimp tacos, or fish tacos.
On top of Tostadas or Nachos - take your tostada or enchilada game up a notch by adding this salsa and some taco seasoned ground beef on top! This would be great for nachos, too.
In Burrito Bowls - amp up the flavor of a Chicken Fajita Bowl or Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowl with cilantro lime rice and black bean salsa.

Storage for Black Bean Pico de Gallo

Meal Prep - meal prep by chopping the veggies in advance. That way all you have to do is throw everything together in a large mixing bowl when serving time comes around!
Refrigerator - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It's even better the next day!

Black Bean Salad no corn on a chip being held by a human hand.

Expert Tips

I like to chop my vegetables about as big as you would for pico de gallo which is a bit chunkier than salsa.
Use fresh lime juice (not bottled)! It makes a big difference when it comes to flavor.
If you are one of those people who hates cilantro, replace it with parsley.
If using canned beans, be sure to rinse them before adding to the pico. This removes some of the excess sodium.
Remember you can always add more salt, but you can't take it away! So start with a small amount and add more to taste.

FAQ

Is this black bean pico de gallo healthy?

While healthy means something different to everyone, this black bean pico is a nutrient-rich option. It contains fiber from the black beans and veggies for a healthy gut. It also contains several other nutrients including antioxidants, vitamin C, and phosphorus.

I hate cilantro! Is there something I can use to replace it?

Some people are genetically sensitive to the soapy-flavored aldehydes in cilantro. If that's you or someone you're serving this recipe to, replace cilantro with parsley or skip it and add an extra dash of lime juice!

Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:

Perfect for Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Black Bean Pico de Gallo:

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian

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