Ensalada de Frijol Negro, Elote y Aguacate (Black Bean, Charred Corn and Avocado Salad)
Black beans, charred sweetcorn, ripe avocado and fresh pico de gallo in a sharp lime dressing, with crunchy pumpkin seeds.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.23 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat a dry griddle or frying pan until very hot and cook the corn cobs for 10 minutes, turning, until charred in spots. Cool slightly and slice off the kernels.
10 min - 2
Drain your ready made frijoles negros (see the base recipe) in a sieve and keep the broth for soup.
- 3
Whisk the lime juice, olive oil, chilli flakes and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.
- 4
Add the beans, corn and your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe) and toss.
- 5
Fold in the avocado gently last so it does not break up.
- 6
Line a platter with the lettuce, pile the salad on top and scatter with the toasted pumpkin seeds.
Tips
- Char the corn properly. The smoky sweet kernels are the heart of the salad.
- Add the avocado last and eat within an hour or it browns.
- Frozen sweetcorn works. Fry it in a hot dry pan for 5 minutes to char.
Storing and freezing
Without avocado it keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add avocado on the day. Keep the drained broth for up to 4 days.
Questions
Can I use tinned sweetcorn?
Yes. Drain well and char in a very hot dry pan for 4 to 5 minutes for a similar smoky flavour.
Can I add cheese?
Yes. Crumbled queso fresco or feta suits it, but it will no longer be vegan or dairy free.
Is it filling enough for a main?
Yes with warm tortillas or rice. On its own it works well as a side or a light lunch.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Sopa de Lentejas al Adobo (Mexican Lentil Soup)
GFDFEFQuesadillas de Chorizo con Rajas (Chorizo and Poblano Strip Quesadillas)
GFEFNFTotopos con Guacamole y Pico de Gallo (Chips with Guacamole and Fresh Salsa)
GFDFEFQuesadillas de Pollo y Tocino (Chicken and Bacon Quesadillas)
EFNFHPDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.