25-Minute Crisp Summer Corn Salad

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Corn and tomatoes combined in a salad is like summer on a plate! This simple side dish salad has quick-roasted sweet corn tossed with zucchini, crisp sugar snap peas and beautiful multi-colored cherry tomatoes. 

When corn is at its summer-sweet best and you’re looking for more ways to enjoy it aside from straight off the cob, make this fresh and delicious corn salad recipe.

Summer corn salad beats the heat

Ironically, the season when all the produce is on beautiful display — ripe tomatoes for tomato sauce or salads, corn on the cob, lots of summer squash, beans and greens — it’s very likely too hot to think about cooking.

So isn’t a great thing that you don’t need to? Seriously, when summer produce has the best taste, let it take the wheel. Sweet fresh corn and tomatoes don’t even need to be cooked when they’re at their prime.

There’s not much you else to do but enjoy the bounty while it lasts. A corn and tomato salad strewn with fresh basil and zucchini is a perfect side dish to celebrate the ingredients of summer.

Ingredients in summer corn salad:

• Corn: Fresh corn kernels or frozen corn will both work in this recipe.
• Tomatoes: A colorful mix of fresh tomatoes looks so pretty on the plate. Use what you’ve got! Cherry tomatoes, heirloom or other small varieties are great.
• Zucchini or summer squash: Look for smaller squash because they will usually have less seeds.
• Sugar snap peas: They’re nice and sweet and have a juicy, snappy crunch that goes very nicely with sweet corn and tomatoes. You could also use shelled edamame or fresh lima beans if you find them in a farmer’s market.
• Red onion or shallot: Either type of onion will contribute a sweet, sharp note to the salad. Green onions are also a good option.
• Fresh basil: Fresh herbs always tastes like summertime! You can also use another herb like fresh parsley, marjoram, dill or cilantro.
• Crushed red chili: Use this to taste, just for a hint of spice.

Corn salad recipe steps:

This salad is so easy to put together, and every time I make it I’m amazed at how good it is. And it’s all based on vegetables just doing their thing!

• Spread the corn in an even layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan along with the other vegetables and oil.
• Roast until the corn becomes fragrant and turns golden brown, usually under 15 minutes depending on your oven.

Roast corn on the grill

• If you’d rather not heat the kitchen, use a preheated grill to roast the corn.
• Put the sheet pan with the corn mixture on the grill rack over indirect medium-high heat and close the lid. Keep an eye on it, stirring frequently, until it’s golden brown.

Tasty corn salad additions:

This salad is so flavorful as is, and will still taste great the next day as leftovers. If you want to tweak it a notch, trying adding:

• Fresh burrata cheese, mozzarella, or feta cheese
• Sliced avocado
• A spoonful or two of basil pesto or 5-Minute Green Sauce

More fresh summer recipes:

• Cherry Tomato Salad, Raw and Roasted
• Mexican Street-Style Grilled Corn Nachos
• Corn Salad with Cilantro and Lime
• Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta

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