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Peach salsa is a summery dip that’s great poolside or served with tacos. With black beans for satiety & spices for a bit of heat, there’s a wonderful balance of sweet and savory. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping. Vegan and gluten-free.

Salsa has to be one of my all-time favorite foods.

Great with crispy tortilla chips.

Spicy yet cooling.

Perfect as a midday snack, or as a side dish for Taco Tuesday.

And although I’ve been known to happily pop open a jar of salsa, there’s something so special about the freshly made variety.

You get a unique vibrancy of flavor. Plus, there are nearly endless possibilities with the ingredients.

You can do a classic tomato salsa, black bean salsa with corn, pineapple salsa, cranberry salsa, pickle salsa, or a summery peach salsa, like I’m sharing today.

Peach salsa screams summer with its savory/sweet combination. The juicy fruit is sprinkled with cumin, chili powder, and cayenne for a little kick of heat.

This dip has the added oomph of black beans. It adds some protein and satiety to this fruity appetizer.

Peach salsa would be great poolside, added to your vegan potluck, or snuck into a lunch container to go alongside a vegetable sandwich.

Ripe peaches are a must

Since peaches are the star of the show in this salsa, it’s essential that they’re at their very best. Ripe, juicy peaches make it downright addictive.

To know if a peach is ripe enough, give it some gentle pressure with your fingers. The peach shouldn’t be hard. There should be some give.

You can also smell the peach for a fragrant scent. If there’s no sweet aroma, it’s not ready yet.

If your peaches aren’t ripe enough yet, leave them on the counter away from direct sunlight. Once they have softened, they’re ready to eat. If they’re ripening too fast, move them to the refrigerator to slow the process.

How to make peach salsa with black beans

Add the following to a bowl:

Diced peaches
Drained black beans
Diced onions
Minced garlic
Lime juice
Cilantro
Cumin
Ancho chili powder
Cayenne
Salt

Use a spoon to gently combine the salsa, until all of the spices and seasonings are evenly incorporated.

Prefer a spicier salsa?

Add a Tablespoon of diced jalapeño (fresh or jarred) for a spicier flavor.

The cayenne does give a little bit of heat. But you can definitely lean into it more with jalapeño, especially since there’s plenty of sweetness with the peaches to balance it.

Preparation tips

Leave the peel on the peaches. It adds to the beautiful pink color. Just remember to remove the pits, of course.

I like to use a Microplane zester to get the garlic very fine, almost like a paste. It spreads a lot more evenly through the salsa. And you’re not left with any big chunks of raw garlic.

To avoid bruising the cilantro when you chop it and it turning brown, I recommend using kitchen shears. Remove the tough stems of the cilantro. Then lay the cilantro leaves on a cutting board. Use the shears to cut into them, like you’re giving them a haircut.

What to eat with it

This peach salsa is a vibrant addition to a vegan nacho bar or simply served alongside guacamole with tortilla chips.

Pile the salsa on top of refried bean quesadillas or raw tacos with walnut filling.

Have it as a side with vegan taquitos, chickpea tacos, veggie fajitas, jackfruit carnitas tacos, or vegan tortilla soup.

How long does it last?

Peach salsa lasts about four days in the refrigerator in a covered container.

Content and photos updated August 2020. Originally posted August 2015.

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