How To Make Corn Salad At Home

Summer BBQs are my favorite way to gather with friends and family during the warm months. While I enjoy grilling meats, I often find myself pondering which sides to bring. Well, the search is OVER! This is the perfect go-to summer salad.

Summer is undoubtedly salad season, and nothing compares to this crisp, refreshing Summer Corn Salad. Seriously, I could eat this for every meal! It’s light, super flavorful, and incredibly refreshing. Best of all, it comes together in less than 15 minutes. I’m obsessed, my kids are obsessed, and soon you will be too! Let me show you how to make this summer corn salad, your new go-to side dish.

Story Time

I can’t take credit for this recipe; all the praise goes to my wonderful chef and genius videographer, Maegan. She would often whip this up for our private chef clients based on their requests. After watching her create it once, I asked, “What is this salad?” I took a bite, and the freshness, the joy, the sheer summer bliss filled my taste buds, transporting me to a backyard BBQ, complete with music and plenty of tequila—which pairs beautifully with this salad.

So, thank you, Maegan, for sharing this recipe; it has transformed my BBQ season!

The Technique

• The Corn: This is the heart of the salad, so it’s crucial! Please, use fresh corn! I’ve made the mistake of using canned corn, and it didn’t end well. Trust me; this will make or break the recipe. Summer is the best time to buy fresh corn, so hit up your local grocery store or farmers’ market. When selecting corn, look for bright green husks that feel a little wet. If the husk is yellow and dry, steer clear!
• The Grill: I’m passionate about grilling! It gives incredible flavor to anything—corn included! Heat your grill and char your husked corn. The beautiful char enhances presentation and makes a big difference in flavor.
• The Mix-Ins: This is where you can get creative. I love keeping things fresh with seasonal flavors. I typically add halved cherry tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, fresh lime juice, and a touch of salt and pepper. The tomatoes add a burst of freshness that complements the charred corn perfectly. The herbal notes from cilantro and the lime’s acidity balance everything out! Feel free to add finely diced shallots or red onions. For an extra kick, incorporate Cotija cheese or ripe avocado. Want some heat? Add finely diced jalapeños, serranos, or even a bright red Fresno!

Helpful Tools For This Summer Corn Salad Recipe:

• Citrus Juicer: An essential tool for this recipe, and a must-have for every home kitchen!
• A Grill: My favorite method of cooking in the summer! You don’t need a fancy one; any propane grill will do.
• A Good Cutting Board: An essential for chopping all the vegetables. A quality cutting board is crucial for prep work!

Description

This super simple Corn Salad not only makes every table look festive but is absolutely bursting with flavor!

Ingredients

• 3 ears of corn, husked
• 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• Juice and zest of one lime
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
• 2 scallions, finely sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat up your grill to high.
2. Grill corn for a few minutes on each side until perfectly toasted.
3. Remove the corn off the cob by running a knife down the entire cob.
4. Combine all ingredients and toss everything together!
5. Taste and season as necessary.