Black Bean Corn Chili (Printable Version)

A vibrant blend of black beans, corn, and spices finished with a zesty lime crema drizzle.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

→ Beans & Corn

06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
08 - 1.5 cups frozen or canned corn, drained
09 - 1 cup vegetable broth

→ Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
15 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Lime Crema

16 - 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
17 - Zest of 1 lime
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
19 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnishes

20 - Chopped fresh cilantro
21 - Sliced avocado
22 - Sliced green onions

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook for 3 minutes until vegetables are fragrant and tender.
03 - Add black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, corn, and vegetable broth to the pot.
04 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - In a small bowl, mix sour cream or Greek yogurt with lime zest, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
07 - Taste chili and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve chili hot, topped with a dollop of lime crema and optional garnishes of cilantro, avocado, and green onions.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour, which means weeknight dinners that taste like you spent all day cooking.
  • The lime crema transforms simple chili into something bright and unexpected that guests always ask about.
  • It's naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and endlessly customizable based on what's in your pantry.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans—it removes the starchy liquid that can make your chili taste metallic and flat.
  • The lime crema needs to go on right before eating because it gets watery if it sits in the warm chili for too long.
  • Taste as you go because spice levels vary between brands and your personal heat tolerance matters.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in a dry pan for thirty seconds before adding them to the pot if you want to wake up their flavors even more.
  • Always zest your lime before cutting it in half for juice—otherwise you'll spend twenty minutes trying to zest the juiced side.
Return