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Summer Corn Salad is light and flavorful, dressed simply with Italian dressing. It’s easy, quick + perfect for summer!
Corn Salad is a perfect side salad for get-togethers and BBQs! Asparagus Salad and Tomato Cucumber Salad are just as simple to prepare as this Corn Tomato Salad!
Corn and Tomato Salad
When asked to bring a side to share for a summer BBQ, I’m often stumped as to what to bring!
I love regular green salads, but feel they get soggy quickly. Recently, I went on the search for another recipe that could be my go-to side dish salad.
I think I found that recipe in this Summer Corn Salad. While it doesn’t need to be summer, it’s especially perfect for summertime. It’s light, flavorful and delicious!!
One of the main reasons we love this salad is that it takes less than 15 minutes to make. It’s full of corn, basil, cucumber, feta and tomatoes – some of my favorite ingredients.
It’s usually gone in minutes, and will definitely be a new favorite – especially if you love corn.
How to Make It
Putting Corn Salad together is as simple as you’d think!
VEGGIES. Start by cooking the corn until it’s slightly tender. Let the corn cool completely (you can chill it in the fridge). Add the tomatoes, cucumber and basil.
TOSS + ENJOY! Right before serving, add the oil mixture, feta cheese, and Italian dressing and toss!
Variations
Add additional garden veggies:
- bell peppers
- avocado
- onion
- grilled zucchini
Substitute the feta for a cheese that has a similar crumbly texture: Ricotta, Halloumi, Queso Fresco, or Goat Cheese.
Recipe Tips
Make ahead of time. This recipe is perfect for making ahead! Especially if you’re planning a BBQ or gathering, and don’t want to worry about making a fresh salad right beforehand. Combine all the veggies ahead of time, and add the dressing when you’re ready to serve it at your party!
Corn. Using fresh corn makes the salad absolutely delicious. Frozen corn works well too. I do not recommend using canned corn.
Corn on the Cob. The easiest way I have found to cut the corn from the cob:
- Hold the cob perpendicular to a cutting board.
- Using a paring knife, slice downward, cutting the corn off in a long strip.
- Rotate the cob and slice again.
- Continue until all the kernels have been removed.
Grill. Grilling the corn beforehand will give it a delicious, charred flavor. If you’d rather not have the charcoal spots, wrap the corn in tin foil first.
- Place the cobs directly on the grill over medium-hot heat.
- Rotate every 2-3 minutes until the corn is cooked evenly all around.
- Cut the kernels off the cob, and follow the salad recipe as written.
I love the flavor of this Corn Salad recipe!! Even more, I love just how simple it is. It’s perfect as is, but adding beans might be a great addition for next time!
Complete your bbq
Here are some of our favorite entrees and other sides that pair really well with this corn salad:
- Dr. Pepper Ribs
- Easy Fruit Salad
- Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwich
- Baked Beans
- Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda
- Grilled Corn On The Cob
For more summer salad recipes, check out:
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
- Favorite Broccoli Salad
- Brussel Sprout Salad
- Frito Corn Salad
- Broccoli Slaw
Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups corn fresh or thawed frozen corn
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup cucumber finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil minced
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons Italian dressing (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons of oil, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
- Cooking corn in a skillet with remaining oil until tender.
- Pour corn into a large bowl, cool slightly and add tomatoes, cucumber, and basil. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Right before serving, drizzle with dressing, feta cheese and Italian dressing (if desired). ENJOY!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
Would black beans make it taste weird with the lime juice?
It shouldn’t! Those would be great in there!
What if I was to make it for 12 people? Would that be 4 1/2c of corn? I suk at math lol!!!
Yep 🙂 You got it!!
I love love this salad. Thanks so much. Now one of my favorites.
Thanks so much for letting me know! Isn’t it so yum?! Glad you like it!
I have made this/similar recipe from a magazine several times in the past but have been unable to find the recipe this spring. You are a lifesaver, and so right- best salad for bbq’s. The first time I made it, I forgot to cook the corn tasted ok, but second time what a difference to have if crisped up a bit. Thanks for sharing.
Awe, thank you!! I’m glad you found it. Thanks so much!
What is the purpose of cooking the corn if it is frozen? It would be partially cooked from the blanching, just checking to see if that step is necessary. The recipe sounds like it will be delicious and I’m looking forward to trying it. Thanks
It is delicious! Uncooked corn doesn’t taste the best, so cooking it will make it tender & just makes it better. Let me know what you think, if you give it a try 🙂
I’m a little confused on oil and how much to use. There is two different measures.
It’s 3 tablespoons total & in the first step it says to add 2, then later you’d add the remaining, which is 1 tablespoon. Hope that helps!!
The other 2 commenters are saying they are confused because the ingredient list has 3 teaspoons of oil, divided but the instructions mentioned tablespoons. I know you explained but think it would be helpful to all if ingredients were corrected. Not everybody takes the time to read through the comments. The salad looks delicious, I’m looking forward to trying it soon.
I changed it. Thanks! I didn’t even catch that one said tablespoons & the other teaspoon. My mind read the same thing. Hope that clears it up for everyone.
Can you please check the recipe amounts of oil? It says teaspoons in one place, and tablespoons (of oil) in another. HELP!
Thank you for the great recipes..
But so very envious of you clean garage.. Anytime you want to come and do ours ..
Oh, thank you so much! You are so sweet! LOL…once was enough for me!
Great corn salad recipe! Gotta try it!
Thank you! Let me know what you think 🙂
Any reason I couldn’t swap out the feta for goat cheese crumbles? We’re all trying to cut back on the salt, and we all like the goat cheese…
Also, what kind of beans were you thinking of adding?
I don’t see why not 🙂 Maybe black beans?? I guess you could add whatever bean you like. Enjoy!!
Summer is almost here and to be honest I love summer salads. I never did a recipe like this but doesn’t look too hard.
Not hard at all & perfect for summer!! I’d love to know what you think 🙂 Thank you!