Easy Smoky Corn and Black Bean Salsa

For rich, smoky BBQ beef, you want a salsa that is bright, fresh, and acidic to cut through the fat and complement the savory flavors.

This easy, no-cook salsa is perfect. It relies on canned goods and a few fresh ingredients, takes about 10 minutes to make, and its smoky-sweet flavor profile is a fantastic match for beef.

This salsa is more like a chunky relish, providing great texture and a refreshing contrast to the tender, heavy beef.

Why it Works with BBQ Beef:

• Acidity: The lime juice cuts through the richness of the beef.

• Sweetness: The corn provides a sweet pop that complements smoky BBQ flavours.

• Freshness: The cilantro and red onion lift the palate.

• Texture: The combination of beans and corn adds a satisfying texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 oz / 398 ml) black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can (12 oz / 341 ml) sweet corn, drained (or about 1.5 cups of frozen or fresh-cooked corn kernels)

• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced

• 1/2 a red onion, finely diced

• 1 jalapeño, finely minced (remove seeds for less heat)

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1/4 cup lime juice (from 2-3 limes)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or chipotle powder for more heat)

• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prep the Canned Goods: Thoroughly rinse the black beans and drain the corn. Place them in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

2. Chop the Vegetables: Finely dice the red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño and add them to the bowl.

3. Combine Everything: Add the chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, and smoked paprika to the bowl.

4. Mix and Season: Stir everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. For the best flavour, let the salsa sit for at least 15-20 minutes for the ingredients to meld.

Tips and Variations:

• Make it Ahead: This salsa gets even better after an hour or two in the fridge. You can easily make it in the morning for your BBQ later in the day.

• For Extra Smoke: Since it's BBQ, if you have fresh corn on the cob, grill it until it's lightly charred before cutting the kernels off. This will add a fantastic layer of authentic smoke flavour.

• Add Avocado: For a creamier texture, dice one avocado and gently fold it in just before serving.

• Serve it: You can serve it as a side dish or spoon it directly over the sliced BBQ beef.