Fresh Corn Salad
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This fresh corn salad is crisp, bright, and easy to make ahead—perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or any summer meal.
You can never go wrong with simple boiled corn on the cob as a side dish, but the need to cook it right before serving makes it less than ideal for entertaining—unless you relish the idea of sweating over a hot stove indoors while your guests kick back outside sipping summer cocktails. When it comes to corn for a crowd, I prefer to whip up a fresh corn salad. Not only is it best made in advance, but it’s also good served at room temperature.
Be sure to cook the corn briefly—just a few minutes is all it takes. I also like to toss a tablespoon or two of sugar into the cooking water to help bring out the sweetness. A little insurance never hurts.
“I brought this salad to a potluck lunch. People kept telling me how wonderful it was and asking how I made it. It made me feel like a star!”
What You’ll Need To Make Fresh Corn Salad
- Fresh Corn: Use the best corn you can find—look for bright green husks and plump kernels you can feel through the husk. Keep it in the fridge with the husks on until you’re ready to prep. Frozen or canned won’t give you the same texture or flavor.
- Scallions & Fresh Herbs: Scallions add a mild onion bite without overpowering the salad, and fresh basil brings a clean, fragrant note. Mint, cilantro, or parsley would all work nicely here too.
- Vegetable Oil & White Wine Vinegar: A light, balanced dressing—neutral oil keeps things smooth, and vinegar adds just enough acidity. You can use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a citrusy twist.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step instructions
Step 1: Cook the corn. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. If your corn isn’t straight from the farm stand, I like to add a tablespoon or two of sugar to the water—it helps coax out the sweetness in grocery store corn, which can be hit or miss. (Yes, I know it’s not necessary with peak-season corn, but sometimes you’ve gotta hedge your bets.) Once the water’s boiling, add the corn and cook for just a few minutes.
Step 2: Cool it down. Drain the corn and run it under cold water to stop the cooking. You want to preserve that fresh crisp texture.
Step 3: Cut the corn off the cob. Place the corn on a clean dish towel set over a cutting board, and use a serrated knife to slice off the kernels. The towel helps dry the corn and keeps the kernels from scattering all over your kitchen. Try to keep the chunks of corn intact—it looks pretty and shows that you used fresh corn.
Step 4: Combine the salad ingredients: Use the dish towel to transfer the kernels to a large bowl. Add the white wine vinegar, vegetable oil, scallions, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine. At this point, the corn salad can be refrigerated for up to two days before serving.
Step 5: Add basil and serve. Right before serving, toss in the fresh basil and taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve and enjoy!
More Summer Corn Recipes You May Like
Fresh Corn Salad
Capture the essence of summer with this easy, make-ahead fresh corn salad—simply toss it together, and it’s ready to serve whenever you are!
Ingredients
- 5 ears of corn, shucked
- 2 scallions, white and green parts, finely sliced
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup finely sliced fresh basil leaves
- Sugar, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (see note). Boil the corn until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain the corn and immerse it in very cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the corn on a clean dish towel set over a cutting board, then use a serrated knife to cut the kernels of the cobs. (The dish towel both dries the corn and prevents it from bouncing all over the place.)
- In a large bowl, combine the kernels with the oil, vinegar, scallions, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. If the salad tastes too tart, add a bit more oil; if it tastes bland, add a bit more vinegar or salt and pepper. Try adding a ¼ teaspoon of sugar if the corn isn't as sweet as you'd like. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature.
- Note: When boiling corn on the cob, be sure to add enough salt that the water tastes like the sea. Try adding a few tablespoons of sugar to the water as well -- it will enhance the corn's sweetness.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Calories: 267
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Sodium: 245 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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I made this fresh corn salad as a side for my son’s and my birthday celebration along with steak and halibut. I used fresh mint from my daughter’s garden instead of basil. It is PHENOMINAL!!! The flavor of the crunchy sweet corn with the white wine vinegar and scallions is a match made in heaven! I’m glad I doubled the recipe ‘cuz I’m enjoying some right now while sitting in the sun on my patio. Thank you again Jenn for your generosity in sharing your passion for food with others ❤️
While I don’t have any white wine vinegar, would it be okay to use sherry vinegar? Do you think that would work okay?
Corn on the cob is my favorite vegetable, and I’m looking forward to making it!
The flavor sherry vinegar will add is slightly different, but it will work. Hope you enjoy!
What do you think adding cubed cooked zucchini (not mushy) and halved cherry tomatoes to this? Thanks!
I think those sound like great (and colorful!) additions. Please LMK how it comes out!
I have not made this recipe but would like to try it. However, you should know, as many of your readers must, that adding salt to water for boiling corn will toughen the corn’s kernels. NEVER add salt, but do add a teaspoon of sugar. And boil for only four minutes.
Made this for a group of friends just because I wanted to try it. I don’t usually try out new recipes on guests… just in case it doesn’t work. But- this was a huge hit! Everybody LOVED it (as do I) and wanted the recipe! I mentioned your website, Jenn, in our group chat. 😃
I made this for a gathering today and it was a hit! The only thing I did different was to pressure cook the ears of corn for 1 minute instead of boiling them. I refrigerated the finished ears overnight and then cut the corn off and assembled the salad the next morning. Deelicious!
I made the Fresh Corn Salad recently and now my husband and I are hooked, it is so yummy! The salad is perfect during the hot summer months. It’s easy to prepare and I love the fresh Basil in it, that’s something I would not have thought of on my own. Thank you for another great recipe!
A light, lovely salad. Enjoyed by all! Will def make this again.
I took this to a deck party last weekend to rave reviews. Thank you for a simple, delicious recipe! I left out the scallions because my husband doesn’t tolerate onions, the basil gave enough green highlights to be appealing.
Every time I make this, people love it! It taste so fresh and light and wonderful. And its so easy.