Zesty Corn and Tomato Medley

This **Corn and Tomato Salad** is a celebration of summer’s bounty, bringing together sweet, succulent corn kernels, ripe and juicy tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, and thinly sliced red onion. Each vibrant bite is perfectly complemented by a bright, tangy homemade lime vinaigrette, making it an irresistible addition to any meal.

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From the Author: A Fresh, Fast, & Flavor-Packed Salad!

For years, this Corn and Tomato Salad has been a staple in my kitchen, especially when serving alongside my favorite Blackened Shrimp. But honestly, its delightful simplicity and incredible flavor truly make it worthy of its own spotlight.

This salad encapsulates the essence of summer in every mouthful – it’s incredibly fresh, bursting with vibrant colors, and packed with irresistible taste. The absolute best part? It comes together in mere minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights, impromptu gatherings, or last-minute potlucks.

While I adore this recipe most with freshly harvested sweet corn during peak season, its versatility means you don’t have to wait. It’s equally delicious with high-quality canned or frozen corn, ensuring you can enjoy this sensational side dish all year long. Even if you’re not pairing it with blackened shrimp or any specific main course, please don’t skip this salad. It’s a true must-try that will brighten any meal and impress your guests with minimal effort.

Beyond its incredible taste, this corn and tomato salad is also naturally healthy and provides a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal produce. It’s light, refreshing, and satisfying, making it a perfect healthy side dish for a variety of dietary preferences. Get ready to add this quick and easy fresh corn and tomato salad to your regular recipe rotation!

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Corn and Tomato Salad

Creating this delightful corn and tomato salad starts with selecting the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for each:

• Corn: The star of the show! For the absolute best flavor, use fresh corn on the cob when it’s in season. Sweet, tender kernels elevate the entire dish. If fresh isn’t available, high-quality frozen corn (thawed and drained) or canned corn (drained and rinsed) are excellent alternatives, allowing you to enjoy this salad year-round.
• Cherry Tomatoes: These bite-sized gems burst with sweetness and juice. Halving or quartering them ensures every forkful gets a pop of tomato goodness. Feel free to use grape tomatoes, Roma tomatoes diced, or even heirloom tomatoes for a more gourmet touch. The key is ripe, flavorful tomatoes.
• Red Bell Pepper: This adds a wonderful crunch and a hint of sweetness, along with vibrant color. Finely dicing the bell pepper allows it to integrate seamlessly into the salad, ensuring an even distribution of flavor and texture. Yellow, orange, or even green bell peppers can also be used, but red offers the sweetest profile.
• Onion: A touch of onion provides a crucial savory depth. Red onion is often preferred for its milder bite and beautiful color, but yellow or sweet onions work well too. For a less intense flavor, finely dice the onion or soak it in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding. Shallots are another elegant option for a subtle onion flavor.
• Fresh Basil: This aromatic herb infuses the salad with a quintessential summer fragrance and flavor. Tearing or chiffonading the basil just before serving preserves its delicate aroma and prevents it from bruising. If fresh basil isn’t on hand, a small amount of fresh mint or parsley can offer a different, but equally refreshing, twist.

Crafting the Zesty Lime Vinaigrette

The vibrant dressing is what ties all the fresh flavors of this corn and tomato salad together. This tangy lime vinaigrette, with its subtle sweetness and hint of spice, is incredibly easy to prepare and makes all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need for this perfect complement:

• Lime: Fresh lime juice and zest are non-negotiable for this vinaigrette! The zest provides an intense burst of citrus aroma, while the juice delivers a bright, tangy kick. A microplane makes zesting a breeze, and a good citrus juicer ensures you get every last drop of precious juice.
• Dijon Mustard: More than just flavor, Dijon mustard plays a crucial role as an emulsifier, helping the oil and lime juice combine into a smooth, cohesive dressing. It also contributes a sharp, tangy, and slightly spicy note that balances the sweetness of the corn and maple syrup.
• Maple Syrup: A touch of pure maple syrup adds a lovely, natural sweetness that highlights the corn’s inherent sugars and balances the lime’s acidity. If you don’t have maple syrup, honey or agave nectar are excellent substitutes, offering similar sweetness with slightly different nuances.
• Olive Oil: As the base of any good vinaigrette, the quality of your olive oil truly shines through here. Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. Its fruity, peppery notes will beautifully complement the fresh vegetables and other dressing ingredients, creating a well-rounded and harmonious dressing.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is essential to enhance all the other flavors in the dressing and the salad as a whole. Start with a quarter teaspoon and adjust to your taste.

Whisking these simple ingredients together creates a dressing that is both refreshing and complex, perfectly coating every piece of corn and tomato without overpowering their natural goodness.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With This Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

This versatile Corn and Tomato Salad isn’t just a delicious standalone dish; it’s also an incredible companion to a wide array of main courses. Its fresh, tangy profile complements rich flavors and lightens up heavier meals. Here are some fantastic pairing ideas:

• Grilled Meats: The smoky char of grilled meats finds a perfect counterpoint in the salad’s crisp freshness and zesty dressing. It’s an ideal side for classic BBQ fare.
  • Chicken: Serve it alongside savory Grilled Curry Chicken or simple grilled chicken breasts for a light yet satisfying meal.
  • Steak: The bright flavors cut through the richness of a juicy Grilled Flank Steak or any cut of grilled beef.
  • Sausage: A great accompaniment to grilled sausages, offering a refreshing contrast.
• Fish and Seafood: The lightness of the salad pairs wonderfully with both grilled and baked fish.
  • Salmon: Excellent with flaky grilled or pan-seared salmon.
  • Halibut: A fantastic choice with oven-baked or grilled halibut.
  • Shrimp: As the author mentioned, it’s a dream with Blackened Shrimp, but also great with simple grilled or sautéed shrimp.
• Mexican-Inspired Dishes: The flavors in this salad harmonize beautifully with the vibrant spices of Mexican cuisine.
  • Tacos: A refreshing side for any kind of tacos, adding a fresh crunch.
  • Enchiladas: Balances the richness of cheesy enchiladas.
  • Quesadillas: Offers a fresh counterpoint to cheesy quesadillas.
  • Burrito Bowls: Add a scoop of this salad to your favorite burrito bowl for extra freshness.
• Vegetarian Meals: This salad can complement or even be a central part of a delicious vegetarian spread.
  • Grain Dishes: Serve it alongside a hearty quinoa or couscous dish for a complete and wholesome meal.
  • Stuffed Peppers: A light and fresh side for savory stuffed bell peppers.
  • Black Bean Burgers: A fantastic fresh topping or side for vegetarian burgers.
• Pasta Dishes: For lighter pasta meals, this salad adds a touch of refreshing vegetable goodness.
  • Summer Pasta: Pairs perfectly with a light summer pasta, especially those with fresh vegetables or a pesto base.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, preparing a simple family dinner, or looking for a vibrant addition to a potluck, this Corn and Tomato Salad is guaranteed to be a hit!

Corn and Tomato Salad Recipe

By Chelsea Lords

This Corn and Tomato Salad is fresh, vibrant, and full of delightful crunch! Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and crisp bell peppers get a zesty kick from a tangy lime vinaigrette with a hint of maple and Dijon, creating the ultimate easy summer side dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Recipe Video Overview

A short video demonstration showing the quick and easy steps to prepare this vibrant Corn and Tomato Salad, from mixing the fresh ingredients to whisking the tangy lime vinaigrette.

Equipment Needed

• Medium bowl
• Whisk or jar with lid for dressing
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Citrus juicer (optional, but helpful)
• Microplane or fine grater (optional, for lime zest)

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2 cups corn (fresh, thawed frozen, or drained canned; see note 1 for tips)
• 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered or diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (finely diced)
• 1/4 cup diced onion (yellow, sweet, or red onion, finely diced for best texture)
• 1/3 cup ribboned fresh basil (optional, but highly recommended)

For the Zesty Lime Vinaigrette

• 1 large lime (freshly juiced and zested)
• 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey/agave)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare Salad Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the corn kernels, quartered or diced cherry tomatoes, finely diced red bell pepper, and diced onion. If you plan to prepare the salad ahead of time, hold off on adding the fresh basil until just before serving to maintain its freshness and aroma.
2. Make the Vinaigrette: Zest the lime carefully, then slice and juice it. You’ll need about 2 tablespoons of lime juice. In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime zest, lime juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and salt. Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking until the dressing is well combined and emulsified. Alternatively, combine all dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until thoroughly mixed.
3. Combine and Serve: Pour the freshly prepared lime vinaigrette over the vegetable mixture in the medium bowl. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Enjoy this vibrant salad immediately for the best texture and flavor, or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. This salad is best enjoyed on the same day it is made.

Recipe Notes & Tips

• Note 1: Corn Selection and Preparation:

  For the freshest taste, opt for sweet, crisp fresh corn on the cob during its peak season. However, high-quality frozen corn (thawed completely and well-drained) or canned corn (drained and rinsed thoroughly) are excellent year-round options. For an extra layer of smoky sweetness, consider grilling or roasting your corn before adding it to the salad:

  • To Grill Corn: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400–450°F / 200-230°C). Remove husks and silks from corn. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill for 12–15 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until kernels are tender and lightly charred. Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob.
  • To Roast Corn: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). If roasting with husks on, trim silks. If husked, drizzle with oil, salt, and pepper, then wrap in aluminum foil. Roast for 20–30 minutes, or until tender. Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob.
• Storage: Store any leftover Corn and Tomato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the absolute best texture and freshness, if preparing ahead, we recommend keeping the dressing separate from the vegetable mixture and tossing them together just before serving. This prevents the vegetables from becoming soggy.
• Variations: Feel free to customize! Add diced avocado for a creamy element, crumbled feta or cotija cheese for a salty tang, or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for another layer of fresh herb flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also add a subtle heat.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving
| Calories: 164kcal
| Carbohydrates: 23g
| Protein: 4g
| Fat: 8g
| Saturated Fat: 1g
| Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
| Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
| Sodium: 179mg
| Potassium: 337mg
| Fiber: 3g
| Sugar: 7g
| Vitamin A: 1386IU
| Vitamin C: 55mg
| Calcium: 22mg
| Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.