Easy Corn Salad Recipe (Perfect Cookout Side Dish)

This dish is highlighted by the process of caramelizing the corn. That gives a light crust to the kernels and brings out the natural sweetness. The addition of cool tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers makes this a symphony of flavor and texture.

Serve it for a backyard bbq in the summer, or for a family side dish or potluck cookout. It’s going to add so much freshness and flavor to the meal.

Ingredients

Although corn is the star ingredient of this salad, all the flavors combine so nicely together it really is a perfect balance of crunch, acidity, salty, fresh basil and a

• Corn. The beauty of this recipe is that you can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn. I use yellow corn but you can substitute with white or shoepeg corn which is smaller and sweeter.
• Cherry tomatoes. Cut them in halves or quarters for the perfect bite size ingredient.
• Cucumber. Peel it first, and use seedless or cut it in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Then slice it so you get half moon shapes.
• Red onion. Use pickled onions in the salad to take the bite out of raw onion. Make them several days ahead if you want to save time when making the dish.
• Fresh basil. This adds so much flavor to the salad.
• Feta cheese. This gives a nice salty bite to the salad but you can swap it out with one of the options listed in the substitutions below.

Dressing

The lovely citrus dressing has just a hint of heat!

• Extra virgin olive oil. I always use a good quality olive oil for vinaigrettes, dipping, or drizzles. Use basil-infused olive oil to add even more fresh herb taste. It gives it a tremendous pop of flavor!
• Lime juice. Use the fresh squeezed juice of 1 lime.
• Tabasco sauce. Tabasco brand hot sauce has a sweetness to it which adds balance. Don’t worry, the dressing won’t be “spicy.” It just adds a bit of zing.

Substitutions & Variations

• Crumbled goat cheese also works well here.
• Small balls of bocconcini would be a nice compliment to the basil and tomatoes.
• Try freshly shredded Parmesan to add a mild salty-nutty flavor.
• Small cubes of sharp cheddar.
• And if you are looking for a dairy-free version, just omit the cheese completely!
• Add fresh herb taste with chopped cilantro instead of basil.
• Toss in some diced avocados.

How to Make Corn Salad

1. Prepare the dressing by combining oil with lime juice, salt, and hot sauce. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, add oil and heat. Add corn and cook until the corn begins to caramelize, stirring often. Transfer to a salad bowl and let cool.
3. Add tomatoes, cucumber, and onion to the corn and drizzle dressing over salad ingredients and toss to combine.
4. Cover and chill so flavors can combine.
5. Top with feta and chopped basil when ready to serve.

Do I need to caramelize the corn first?

One thing I love about this salad is that caramelizing the corn brings out the sweetness. However, if you’re wondering what to bring to a cookout last minute, you can make this salad with canned corn without caramelizing it.

What to Serve with Corn Salad

This versatile dish compliments almost any entree. Especially grilled meats.

• Asian style burgers
• best juicy burgers
• sun-dried tomato burgers
• Greek burgers with tzatziki sauce
• hot dogs
• bbq brushed salmon
• chicken or beef kabobs

When To Serve It

This recipe is a delicious addition to an alfresco dinner party.

Add this recipe to your dinner party menu ideas, or a ladies luncheon.

It travels well for a tailgate party too! 

More Side Dishes for a Cookout or BBQ

Salad side dishes are one of the best options for food for a cookout party. Try any of these great tried and true recipes.

• broccoli salad without mayonnaise
• creamy cucumber salad with bacon
• broccoli pasta salad
• best potato salad
• best pasta salad 

This easy corn salad recipe brings out the best in fresh ingredients, and I think it’s worth the purchase of basil olive oil because you can use it later for pasta, for other side salads, or to dip bread into. But you can also make basil oil on your own if you like.