Black Bean and Corn Chili with Avocado Salsa
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This black bean and corn chili is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make vegetarian. You’ll want to soak up every ounce of the rich tomato broth made by using salsa instead of some of the tomatoes. It is the ultimate one-pot meal, ready in just 30 minutes!
We think it’s safe to assume you have a favorite chili recipe, but have you tried this chili with black beans and corn? We level up the broth using a combination of fire-roasted tomatoes and salsa before adding the creamy black beans and sweet corn. Bonus: You can easily make it vegetarian by swapping the chicken stock for vegetable stock!
Don’t skip the simple avocado salsa; it’s the star of the show. A few big scoops of it on top of your bowl of chili adds brightness, texture, and all the things we love about avocado.
This quick and filling meal is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, hot lunches, and more. It’s a versatile weeknight recipe that’s great for batch cooking. Double the recipe and store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s a fool-proof recipe – give it a try!
How to make black bean and corn chili
This one-pot black bean and corn chili is easy to make in just a few simple steps:
- Grab a big pot and start by sautéing the onions, garlic, and bell peppers.
- Once they’re softened, add the chili’s base ingredients (salsa, tomatoes, black beans, stock, and salt). Bring it all to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer.
- Next, add the corn and simmer a bit longer. Taste, and adjust the seasonings by adding more salt, pepper, or chili powder to your liking.
- While it’s still cooking, mix up your avocado salsa.
- To serve your masterpiece, ladle the chili into bowls, top with the avocado salsa and any other add-ins you love, and dig in!
Toppings for black bean and corn chili
Have some fun adding in your favorite chili toppings. Here are some of ours:
- Grated cheddar, monterrey jack, or crumbled queso fresco
- Sour cream
- Thinly sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, or minced red onion
- Fresh or pickled jalapeños
- Tortilla chips or strips
How to serve black bean and corn chili
Chili is the ultimate one-pot meal on its own, but we love serving it with soft warm corn tortillas, crispy tortilla chips, or over a bed of rice for a more filling meal.
If you have a little more time, try it with our zucchini cornbread muffins which you can use to dip or soak up all the flavorful juices.
It’s also a great dish for serving to a crowd alongside some juicy margarita chicken or Mexican nacho fries.
Recipe FAQs
Can I freeze this chili?
Absolutely! Chili freezes really well in a covered container for up to three months. We love storing leftovers in these reusable Stasher freezer bags!
How long does this chili keep in the fridge?
Chili is a great meal prep option, staying fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
How do I reheat this black bean and corn chili?
It’s best reheated in a small pot on the stove. We like to add a little splash of water to help it heat through thoroughly.
Black Bean and Corn Chili Recipe
Ingredients
The Chili
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (minced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (minced)
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder (more to taste)
- ½ cup salsa (See notes)
- 28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes (can sub regular diced tomatoes)
- 2 15-ounce cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup chicken stock (can sub vegetable stock)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (more to taste)
- 3 cups frozen corn kernels
- Optional toppings: grated white cheddar, lime wedges, cilantro, and green onions (for vegan sub dairy-free cheese, )
The Avocado Salsa
- 1 ripe avocado (diced)
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- Juice from ½ lime
- A pinch of sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and bell pepper and cook for 5 more minutes. Stir in the chili powder.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 medium red bell pepper, 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- Add the salsa, tomatoes, black beans, stock, and salt and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.½ cup salsa, 28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, 2 15-ounce cans black beans, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 cup chicken stock
- Add the corn and return the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Season to taste with additional sea salt and pepper.3 cups frozen corn kernels
- While the chili is cooking, prepare the avocado salsa. In a small bowl, gently toss the avocado with the red onion and lime juice. Season to taste with a pinch of sea salt and pepper.1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons minced red onion, Juice from ½ lime, A pinch of sea salt and pepper
- To serve the chili, ladle it into bowls and top with the avocado salsa and any or all of the optional toppings.Optional toppings: grated white cheddar, lime wedges, cilantro, and green onions
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Can you cut down on the amount of chili in the recipe? Will it make it less spicy?
You can! Simply adjust to taste.
What is salsa in this recipe is it something you buy frozen fresh tinned or dried
Hi Anne,
The salsa I use is always in a jar. Pace Picante is a cheap brand that works just fine with this recipe. There are lots of others though and they will all work well 🙂
This is one of the great comfort foods of our time !! Thanks !! DK
Thanks, Dan! I totally agree 🙂