Easy Corn Black Bean and Feta Dip (Ready in 15 Minutes)

I get requests for it as early in the year as Memorial Day weekend, but it's ideal for potlucks, game nights, picnics, and even casual lunches. Why? It's a quick, delicious, and refreshing way to beat the heat. Packed with crunchy bell peppers, spicy red onion, and fresh cilantro, it’s my family’s favorite flavor combo for summer.

If you love vibrant Tex-Mex salsas, you’ll want to try my Mango Pineapple Habanero Salsa and Homemade Chipotle Sauce for other dips that are just as simple. Now let’s whip up this easy appetizer and make your next gathering a hit!

Looking for a side dish that’s quick and packed with flavor? This black bean feta dip comes together in just 15 minutes and is sure to impress everyone at the table!

Versatile: Serve as a dip, salad topping, or even a light meal.

Super quick: Ready in 15 minutes with simple ingredients you likely have on hand.

Bold and fresh: Sweet bell peppers, crunchy corn, smoky cumin, and lime juice add bursts of flavor.

Prep-friendly: Whip it up hours in advance or the day before your gathering.

Healthy-ish: It's a good source of fiber from hearty black beans and fresh vegetables.

Gather these simple ingredients for a dip that’s vibrant and full of texture! Each ingredient adds a unique touch to this black bean salsa. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

• Corn: It brings a juicy, slightly sweet crunch. Swap with fresh corn (grilled for extra flavor) or frozen (thawed) corn.
• Canned black beans: They add a creamy, protein-packed base. Rinse and drain thoroughly.
• Feta cheese: It provides a tangy, salty bite. Swap with goat cheese or queso fresco for a milder tang.
• Bell peppers: I love red and green ones for this recipe. Substitute red bell peppers with Roma tomatoes for a juicier texture, and green ones for diced cucumber.
• Red onion: If you're out of red onions, add green onions or spring onions for a milder flavor. Avoid white onions unless you love a strong onion taste.
• Fresh cilantro: It adds a bright, herbaceous pop. You can use fresh parsley if you're not a fan of cilantro, or leave it out completely.
• Salt: Stay away from coarse salt and sea salt because it won't dissolve well in the mixture. Kosher salt is best.
• Black pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle, spicy kick.
• Red pepper flakes: Chili powder is a good swap if needed. Omit or reduce for kids, or add more for spice lovers.
• Ground cumin: It adds smoky goodness. Smoked paprika has a similar flavor profile.
• Lime juice: You can substitute lime juice with lemon juice, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
• Olive oil: I prefer extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Feel free to use avocado oil instead.

See recipe card for quantities.

This easy appetizer is all about tossing fresh, colorful ingredients for a dip that’s ready in minutes! You’ll combine everything in a large mixing bowl and let the flavors meld for a feta cheese dip that’s perfect for any occasion. Here’s the full recipe:

1. Step 1: Add all ingredients, such as black beans, corn, crumbled feta, chopped bell peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings into a medium mixing bowl.

2. Step 2: Mix well until evenly combined, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve immediately or chill for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Want to switch up this versatile dip? Here are fun twists to customize it for your summer gatherings!

More protein: Add diced grilled chicken, shrimp, or cooked quinoa for a heartier bite.

Get creative: Serving this recipe with your favorite chips (like Doritos, Lay’s, or Ruffles) is a super fun way to add more crunch and flavor.

Swap the beans: Use pinto beans, kidney beans, or black-eyed peas instead of black beans for variety.

Spicy kick: Add ½ tablespoon diced jalapeños or serranos at a time for more heat.

More veggies: Fold in ½ cup diced Roma tomatoes and ½ cup diced avocado for extra flavor.

Smoky crunch: Cook 3-4 bacon strips until crispy. Crumble them and sprinkle over the dip for a lovely crunch.

Make it saucy: Stir in ½–¾ cup of your favorite salsa (red, green, spicy, mild, smooth, or chunky) for a saucier dip.

Go all Mexican: Swap the feta for crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco. Cotija is just as tangy as feta, whereas queso fresco is mild and almost milky in flavor.

This crowd-pleasing black bean-corn dip pairs beautifully with so many dishes! Try these ideas to make your potluck or family meal shine:

• I love transforming this dip into weekday lunches by serving it over rice, in a wrap, or on top of a salad.
• Serve it with my Homemade Chipotle Sauce, Mexican Street Corn Guacamole, and Mango Pineapple Habanero Salsa for the ultimate dipping spread!
• Pair with my Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad or Street Corn Pasta Salad for a Tex-Mex-vibe meal.
• Add my Cucumber Pepper Salad as a second side dish option that's just as crunchy and refreshing.
• Snack on this dip with my Sweet Potato Wedges and Mexican Street Corn Popcorn.

Got leftovers from this black bean corn feta dip? Here’s how to keep it fresh:

Refrigeration

Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Reheating

No reheating is needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Stir before serving to combine all the ingredients.

Freezing

This is not recommended because the fresh veggies will lose their texture, especially the bell peppers and onions.

One of the best parts of this refreshing black bean dip is that it's so easy to make it shine! These are my top tips for ensuring it's as good as it can be:

Chop evenly: Use a sharp knife to chop the veggies into evenly-sized pieces. This ensures each bite has a consistent texture and flavor.

Hold the salt: Feta is naturally salty, so hold the salt until after you've tasted the dip. You might not need to add salt at all.

Rinse well: Rinse the black beans and sweet corn (if using canned) with cold water to remove excess starch. It also gets rid of the straight-out-of-the-can taste. Strain really well to avoid a watery dip.

Crumble your own: Buying a block of feta and crumbling it yourself gives you more control over the texture that you want for your dip. You can crumble it into larger or smaller bits according to preference.

Use fresh: If you have homemade black beans at home, use them instead of canned ones.

Chill for more flavor: I usually make this dip the night before my gathering and let it chill overnight. The longer you let the ingredients marinate and make friends with each other, the more flavorful.

Got questions about this feta cheese dip? Here are the answers to what other people are asking:

Yes! Fresh corn (grilled or boiled) adds extra flavor. Just cut kernels off the cob and use the same amount called for in the recipe.

Rinse the canned beans and corn thoroughly, and use a small amount of kosher salt since feta cheese is naturally quite salty.

Absolutely! Prepare it a couple of hours or a day ahead to get a head start.

Use vegan feta or 1 ½ tablespoons nutritional yeast instead of feta to make it a plant-based recipe.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Mexican Street Corn Popcorn (Homemade Elote Popcorn)

Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad

Spicy Garlic Aioli Dip

Oven Shrimp Skewers With Old Bay Seasoning

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this corn black bean and feta dip:

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies

This black bean corn feta dip is a perfect summer appetizer that’s quick, healthy, and a good source of fiber! Share your creations with me on Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more delicious recipes and printable recipe cards!