A bright, creamy and flavorful corn salad loaded with sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing. It’s perfect for summer cookouts, BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.

Servings: 6–8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8–10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

For the salad

• 5 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
• ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 green onions, sliced
• ¼ cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese

Creamy lime dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1½ tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper

Optional

• 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
• Extra cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Pinch of cayenne

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the corn

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the corn and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it develops lightly browned, caramelized spots.

If using frozen corn, cook until completely thawed and the excess moisture has evaporated.

Remove from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.

2. Prepare the vegetables

Place the tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and green onions in a large mixing bowl.

Add the cooled corn.

3. Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Lime juice
• Garlic
• Chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

4. Combine

Pour the dressing over the corn mixture.

Add the crumbled feta or cotija.

Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.

5. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before serving.

This gives the flavors time to come together.

6. Garnish

Just before serving, sprinkle with extra cilantro and a little chili powder.

Serve with fresh lime wedges.

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⭐ Tips for the Best Corn Salad

Char the corn:
Don’t stir constantly. Letting the corn sit against the hot skillet creates those delicious golden-brown spots.

Don’t overdress it:
Start with most of the dressing and add more if needed.

Fresh lime makes a difference:
Freshly squeezed lime gives the salad a much brighter flavor.

For extra crunch:
Add finely diced cucumber or bell pepper.

For more heat:
Add fresh jalapeño or a small pinch of cayenne.

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🥜 Nut & Allergy Information

Nuts

No nuts are required in this recipe.

Contains

• Milk/dairy: mayonnaise may contain egg; sour cream and feta/cotija contain dairy
• Egg: traditional mayonnaise usually contains egg

Gluten

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free, but check packaged mayonnaise, cheese, and seasonings if preparing for someone with celiac disease or a serious gluten allergy.

Nut-free

The recipe contains no intentional nuts. For a severe nut allergy, check packaged ingredients for cross-contact warnings.

Dairy-free option

Use dairy-free sour cream or yogurt and omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.

Egg-free option

Use an egg-free mayonnaise.

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❓ Q&A

Can I use canned corn?

Yes. Drain and dry it very well, then sauté it until lightly browned.

Can I use frozen corn?

Absolutely. Frozen corn works particularly well because it retains a nice texture.

Can I use corn straight from the cob?

Yes! Grill or sauté the corn first, then cut the kernels from the cob.

Can I make this without mayonnaise?

Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes. Prepare it several hours ahead and refrigerate. For the freshest texture, add a little fresh cilantro and lime just before serving.

How long does it keep?

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I add chicken?

Yes. Add chopped grilled chicken for a more substantial meal.

Can I add avocado?

Yes, but add diced avocado shortly before serving so it doesn’t brown.

Can I use parsley instead of cilantro?

Yes. The flavor will be different but still delicious.

Is this served warm or cold?

It’s best chilled or at cool room temperature, making it especially convenient for cookouts and potlucks.

What goes well with it?

Serve alongside grilled chicken, burgers, steak, tacos, grilled fish, or BBQ dishes.