Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 05/29/22
Corn salad

 

alexbai / Getty Images

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Total: 27 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
453 Calories
14g Fat
76g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 453
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 214mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 76g 28%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Protein 4g
Calcium 141mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Fresh corn salad is my go-to salad in the summer. It really is best made with corn that is cut off the cob. You can substitute frozen corn for the fresh corn on the cob if you like. Don't cook it, just thaw and drain well before using in the salad so it's crisp-tender.

The secret to getting the best corn is to use it as soon as you can after it's picked. It used to be true that the saying was "stroll down to the garden to pick the corn, but run back to put it in the pot." Now corn is bred to stay sweeter longer, and the sugar in the kernels doesn't turn into starch nearly as fast. Still, it's best to use corn as fresh as you can find it.

This salad is fabulous served alongside a grilled steak or grilled chicken breasts. It can also be a main dish salad if you add some chopped cooked chicken or some cooked shrimp. You can also add other vegetables, such as sugar snap peas, tiny frozen baby peas, sliced yellow summer squash, or sliced celery.

Enjoy this salad with a big glass of iced tea on the porch. It's perfect on a warm summer evening or as a cool lunch in the middle of a hot day.

Ingredients

  • 6 ears of corn or 1 16-ounce package frozen corn (thawed and drained)
  • 1 green or red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 bunch green onions (sliced)
  • 2 tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons garlic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. First, husk the corn and remove the silk. In a large pot of boiling sugared water, cook corn for 1-2 minutes. Really, this short amount of time is perfect as you just want to heat the kernels. Place the corn in a bowl of ice water and let stand 3-4 minutes.

  2. Cut the corn off the cob using a sharp knife. I like to stand the cobs on end in the center of a bundt pan. The kernels will fall into the pan and make less of a mess.

  3. Combine the corn kernels in a large bowl with the green pepper, onions, and tomatoes.

  4. In a small bowl combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, basil, garlic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper and then stir to combine.

  5. Pour this dressing over the corn mixture and toss gently to coat. Chill for 1-2 hours before serving.