A refreshing and simple dish, corn salad is perfect for summer gatherings. With sweet corn, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing, it’s both delicious and healthy.
Corn salad is a bright, crisp, and refreshing dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. Whether you’re serving it at a backyard barbecue, bringing it to a picnic, or enjoying it as a light side dish on a warm day, corn salad is always a hit. Bursting with sweet corn, crunchy vegetables, and zesty flavors, it’s a simple yet satisfying way to make the most of seasonal ingredients.
At the heart of the salad is fresh corn, which brings natural sweetness and a juicy crunch. Whether grilled, boiled, or cut straight from the cob, corn adds a sunny, golden pop to the bowl and pairs well with a wide range of ingredients. Red bell peppers and cherry tomatoes bring color and a mild sweetness, while red onions or scallions add a bit of sharpness and depth. For creaminess, you can mix in avocado or crumbled cheese like feta or cotija, which adds richness and a slight tang.
What ties it all together is the dressing, often a blend of olive oil, lime or lemon juice, and a touch of honey or vinegar. This simple vinaigrette enhances the freshness of the vegetables without overpowering them. Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or parsley add a final layer of flavor and brightness, making each bite feel light and balanced.
Corn salad is incredibly versatile. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature, on its own or as a topping for grilled meats, tacos, or even mixed into greens. It’s easy to make ahead of time, and the flavors only get better as they sit and mingle. With its vibrant colors, fresh taste, and simple ingredients, corn salad is a summertime staple that’s both easy to love and endlessly adaptable.
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn kernels fresh or canned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Drizzle the olive oil and lime juice over the vegetables.
- Add the chopped cilantro and toss everything together until evenly mixed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
Corn salad it not a salad if it don’t have lettuce bro. Just saying.
I get what you’re saying, but salads can be more than just lettuce! This corn salad looks refreshing.
But why does it need lettuce? This recipe sounds yum and veggie-packed! Who needs lettuce anyway?
This is super refreshing! The lime + cilantro combo really makes the corn taste brighter. I also let it chill a bit and it honestly got better.
This corn salad was a hit at our picnic! Fresh and tasty! 🌽🍅
I made this last night but forgot the lime juice. Still tasted good.
Meh. Too much chopping. Also, I let it sit longer than 30 minutes and the cucumber got watery. Would not do that again.
Quick and easy! Perfect for my lunch box! Keep it coming!
This salad is super refreshing! Perfect for hot days. Thanks for sharing!
It was okay, but I think it needs something. Maybe some feta cheese next time?
Feta? Really? That seems kinda weird for a corn salad. I think it’s fine as is.
I totally agree! Feta would add a nice tang to it. Great suggestion!
I used frozen corn and it ended up tasting weird. Fresh is def the way to go!
Totally agree! Fresh veggies make a huge difference. Plus, I always find that frozen can sometimes taste a bit bland.
I dunno, I actually think frozen corn is pretty good. Maybe it was just the brand you used?
For me, too much cilantro. I dont like the taste. What can I use instead?
You can try parsley instead! It has a milder taste and works well in salads.
Is it really that fresh if you use canned corn? I prefer frozen.
You forgot to mention how much salt! I added too much and ruined it 😩
Corn salad 🤔 sounds weird but it’s actually good! I was hesitant but now I’m a fan!
I tried using a different onion because I didn’t have red. Still worked out.
Wow, flavors melded perfectly after chilling 30 minutes. I brought it to a BBQ and it got eaten way faster than the chips.
This corn salad is super refreshing! I added some black beans for extra protein and it was a hit at the BBQ!
Sounds delicious! I love adding beans to salads, gonna try it next time!
Black beans in a corn salad? Uhh, that doesn’t seem right. Stick to the recipe!
Honestly, I don’t get what’s so special about this. Just corn and veggies. It’s bland!
Made this for lunch and it was super refreshing. The lime + cilantro combo is chef’s kiss. I used canned corn and it still tasted great.
Love how fresh and crunchy this is. The lime + cilantro combo is perfect, and it tastes even better after a short chill.
Yes!! That lime + cilantro really makes it pop, and chilling it for a bit does wonders. So crunchy and fresh. ☺️
Too much lime for my taste. Might reduce it next time. But overall, a decent salad.
Yum! Fresh and delicious! I added some feta for an extra kick.
Isn’t corn high in calories? I don’t trust this recipe. Gonna stick with my kale.
Easy and delicious! Just how I like my salads. Thanks for sharing!
Love this recipe! So fresh and easy to make. Perfect for summer BBQs!
I agree! It’s super easy and so refreshing. Great for parties!
Wow this is so good. 10/10 would make again! 😋
Ahh love to hear that! 😋 The lime + cilantro combo really makes it pop. I’m glad you’d make it again!
2 cups corn? That’s like a whole can! Am I suppose to use one can or two cups from fresh corn?
Yum! Just made this and I’m obsessed. The lime juice makes it pop!
5 stars! I make this almost every week. So easy and delicious!
Pretty solid, but I think 1/4 cup red onion is a little much for my taste. Next time I’ll go lighter or soak it in cold water briefly.
I think 1/4 cup is about right tbh. If it’s too strong, maybe use sweet onion? Also, I usually don’t soak it—I just rinse the chopped onion and it helps a lot.
Totally fair—red onion can be a bit punchy in corn salad. Soaking it briefly or using a lighter amount is a great tweak. I’ll try that next time!
WOW! I added a little jalapeño and it became my new BBQ side. The lime is perfect.
Wait… jalapeño in corn salad? 😅 I tried once with lime but I think I used too much onion and it was kinda overpowering. Still sounds good though—maybe just a little!
Love this! A jalapeño sounds like the perfect kick for the limey freshness. I’m stealing that idea for sure 🌶️
Bless my heart, I forgot the olive oil! 😅 Still turned out great though, but I wouldn’t recommend skipping it!
Loved this recipe! So fresh and easy to make. Perfect for summer BBQs!
This is just a mixture of stuff in a bowl. Not impressed.
Corn salad? Is that even a meal? I prefer mine with meat! 🍗
Honestly, I was skeptical about this. Does corn really need a salad? But it turned out to be surprisingly good!
Yum! I added black beans too and it turned out great!
Sounds delicious! Black beans are a great addition. I’ll have to try that next time!
Black beans? Is that even supposed to go in a corn salad? Seems weird to me…
Why do you need so many ingredients? Just corn is fine. So complicated!
Corn and tomatoes make everything better! 5 stars for sure! 🌽🍅
I dunno… I like corn but tomatoes? Not so much. What if I just leave them out? Will it still be good?
Totally agree! Corn and tomatoes are the bomb! 😍 This salad looks so fresh and tasty. Can’t wait to try it!
Sounds nice but I don’t own a bowl, how am I supposed to mix? Haha!
Mine turned out a little watery even though I drained the canned corn. Still tasty, just needed more salt and maybe less cucumber.
Mine was watery too lol. I drained the corn but maybe my cucumber wasn’t dry enough. I think next time I’ll use less lime juice? Also, I didn’t notice the onion amount so I might’ve added more—whoops.
Ahh thanks for the heads up! I’ve had that happen when the cucumber is extra juicy. Next time I’ll lightly salt-dice it and blot before mixing, and maybe add salt earlier. Glad it was still tasty though 😊
Easy to make but my kids didn’t like it. They said too many veggies.
Not bad, but red onion was a bit strong for my taste. Next time I’ll use less or rinse it first.
Pretty good, but I think it needs more lime juice. Mine tasted a little flat until I added extra salt too.
Is it really that easy? I might try but not sure about fresh corn. What if I use frozen?
Quick, easy, and healthy! Just the way I like it!
Yummy! I never liked cilantro before, but it works in this! 🥗
Whats the point of this dish? You just mix stuff in a bowl!
This salad is so fresh and easy to make! Perfect for summer!
Looks yummy! Can I use frozen corn? Don’t wanna buy fresh, too much work! 😜
This was just ok, didn’t blow my mind or anything. Might try adding some avocado next time.
Just ok? I loved it! It’s refreshing for summer. Maybe try some jalapeños for a kick!
I think avocado would be a great addition! It adds creaminess and flavor. Give it a shot! 😋
Super refreshing! Perfect for summer BBQs. 👏
I thought it was too bland. Added some chili powder and it was better, but still needs more seasoning.
I added some feta cheese and it made it even better! Yummy!
Isn’t corn just like, sweet and not savory? Not sure how this will go.
I used frozen corn and it was still good. Super easy to make.
Frozen corn is a great idea! I didn’t think about that. Gonna try it next time! Thanks for sharing!
yum! this is a hit with my family. We love corn!
5 stars! Perfect for summer BBQs. My guests loved it!
Corn in salad? Isn’t that gonna be too sweet? I prefer my salads more savory.
This sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it at my next family dinner.
Not sure what all the hype is about. It’s just corn and tomatoes. Needs more flavor.
Wasn’t sure about the red onion, but it really added a nice flavor. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad to hear you liked the red onion! It really does make a difference. Enjoy your salad!
I don’t know about the red onion amount—mine was kinda sharp. Next time I’ll rinse the onion first or use less.
Totally agree—red onion can be punchy. I usually soak it in cold water 5–10 min or rinse it, then squeeze a little dry. Works great.
Honestly, it was just okay. Thought it would be more flavorful. 😕
Cilantro??? Yuck! I left that out. Still, it was fresh.
This corn salad is amazing! So fresh and light. I added some avocado too for creaminess. Yum!
Quick and easy! Made it in 10 min. Good for summer dinners!
I followed the recipe but added a jalapeño for some heat. So good! 🌶️
It was real nice flavor but i burnt my toast while trying to make this salad.
Simple and quick! I added black beans for extra protein. Yum!
I dunno, adding beans might change the flavor too much? Just corn salad and beans? Sounds weird, doesn’t it?
Adding black beans is a great idea! I never thought of that. I usually just stick to the recipe. Thanks for the tip!
Not bad… but I think cilantro is not for me. I’ll swap it for parsley next time.
Totally fair—cilantro can be polarizing. Parsley works great here for a more mild, fresh vibe. Let us know how it turns out next time!
Fresh and delicious! My kids even liked it and they are very picky eaters.
Cilantro tastes like soap to me, so I swapped in parsley. Still good, but the vibe is different—just sayin’.
I don’t see how corn and tomatoes go together. Corn is for soups. Sorry, not my thing.
Corn salad? More like corn mush… 😛
I don’t get why people put cilantro in everything. It’s not that good, but the rest is ok.
Whatever, I think it’s fine. Just don’t put it in if you don’t like it, no biggie!
Cilantro adds a fresh taste! I love it, but I get that it’s not for everyone. Maybe just skip it next time?
My sister makes a version with jalapenos and it’s way better. Just my opinion. 🤷♂️
Mmmm, love corn salad! But I think you forgot to mention salt, I put tons more – yum!
I love corn salad too! But I think you gotta be careful with salt, it can ruin the whole dish. Less is more sometimes!
Nah, man. I think it’s perfect without added salt. You just gotta taste it right! But if you like it salty, go for it!
Honestly, I don’t get why this is a recipe—sounds like chopped veggies with dressing. But… I did eat it, so it’s actually decent.
Fantastic! So refreshing for summer BBQs!
I’m not a fan of raw veggies, so idk why I tried this. But my husband loved it.
Corn salad? Sounds weird. Who wants to eat raw stuff? But if he liked it, maybe it’s worth a try but I wouldn’t bet on it. 🤷♂️
Hey, that’s great your husband loved it! Maybe you could try roasting the veggies next time? Might change your mind about raw!
This corn salad is amazing! So fresh and delicious. Definitely making it again!
My kids didn’t like it. They found the chunks too big and messy. Maybe use smaller pieces?
I think the chunks are fine! But I guess kids sometimes like things differently? Mine loved it!
Maybe try cutting them smaller next time? Kids can be picky!
I followed the steps exactly and the flavors did meld after chilling. However, mine got watery—cucumber was probably too wet.
Yep, that tracks—cucumber can add a lot of extra water, especially if it’s not patted dry. Next time you might salt-dice it for 10 min and squeeze out the liquid (or use less cucumber). Your chilling time sounds right though!
Simple and fresh! Perfect for summer! I’ll think about adding avocados next time!
Adding avocados sounds great! They’d make it even creamier. I love this salad! 🍅🥑
Simple? I dunno, seems kinda bland. Maybe it’s better with more spices or something.
This corn salad is so refreshing! Perfect for summer BBQs! 🌽
My mom makes a corn salad too but with mayo. This is healthier I guess.
This corn salad is sooo good! Made it for a picnic and everyone loved it! Will definitely make it again!
Sounds delicious! I’m glad everyone enjoyed it, I might try this for my next family gathering!
Simple and delish! I added avocado for creaminess!
Too many ingredients for a simple salad. I just like corn and mayo. 🤷♂️
Corn salad? I dunno, sounds boring to me. But some folks love it, I guess… 🤷♂️
I’m not the best cook but even I could make this! Easy and quick to prepare.
This salad sounds super easy! I love that you can just mix everything together. 🌽🍅
Eh, my kids didn’t even touch it. Guess they’re just not into salad? Gave it a try tho! 🌽
Maybe they just prefer cooked veggies? My kids love corn but not in salad form. 🤷♀️
I’m skeptical about using olive oil in a salad like this, but it surprisingly worked. Texture is nice and crunchy.