This easy summer corn salad is packed with sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, salty feta cheese, and a simple lime dressing. It’s fresh, colorful, and one of those side dishes that disappears fast at potlucks, cookouts, and backyard dinners.
Maybe it's my Midwest upbringing, but when I think of summertime, I start thinking about sweet corn.
Fresh sweet corn from the farm stand. Tomato plants overflowing in the garden. Paper plates at backyard cookouts. Somebody bringing baked beans and somebody else showing up with a pasta salad.
And somewhere in the middle of all that? A big bowl of summer corn salad.
Fresh sweet corn from the farm stand. Tomato plants overflowing in the garden. Paper plates at backyard cookouts. Somebody bringing baked beans and somebody else showing up with a pasta salad.
And somewhere in the middle of all that? A big bowl of this summer corn salad.
Fresh corn salad recipes practically scream summertime!
This version is full of fresh flavors with sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, feta cheese, fresh parsley, and a simple chili lime dressing.
Why You'll Love This Summer Corn Salad
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Fresh and colorful for summer meals. Seriously, it's so pretty - like a rainbow in a bowl!
- Easy to make ahead for parties and potlucks
- Uses fresh or frozen corn
- Great for cookouts, graduations, and BBQs
Looking for a smoky BBQ version? Try my grilled corn salad with avocado and lime.
How to Make Summer Corn Salad
I have good news for you...this easy corn salad works beautifully with fresh sweet corn during the summer, but frozen corn works great in the off season too.
- Step 1: Make the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, cumin, chili powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Step 2: Prep the Corn. If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob.
You can leave the corn uncooked for a crisp, fresh texture or lightly sauté it in a skillet for a few minutes to bring out a little sweetness and color.
Tips: If using frozen corn, thaw and pat dry before adding it to the salad. I love to freeze corn for later and I can show you how.
This is also a great way to use leftover air fryer corn on the cob!
- Step 3: Assemble the Salad. Add the corn, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and feta cheese to a large bowl.
Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Fresh Summer Corn Salad Variations
- Add diced avocado just before serving
- Swap feta cheese for cotija cheese
- Use cilantro or basil instead of parsley
- Stir in black beans for a heartier side dish
- Add diced jalapeño for a little heat
Sweet Corn vs. Field Corn
I think it's worth mentioning that we farm corn and soybeans here in Illinois, but the corn we grow isn't sweet corn like the kind used in this recipe.
The type of corn we grow is field corn, which is used for things like:
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- Animal feed for cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish
- Corn meal, taco shells, cereals, and corn syrup
- Industrial products like soaps, paints, and starches
- Ethanol fuel
So while both are important, the corn used in this summer corn salad is sweet corn — the kind you grab from a roadside stand and immediately start planning supper around.
And I've gotta say...this corn salad is perfect for your next summer get together.
Make Ahead Tips
Summer corn salad is a great make ahead side dish for cookouts, potlucks, and busy summer weekends.
For the freshest texture, prep the ingredients ahead of time but wait to add the dressing and feta cheese until shortly before serving.
You can:
- Cut the corn off the cob
- Halve the tomatoes
- Dice the onion
- Mix the dressing
Store everything separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
When you're ready to serve, toss everything together and add the feta cheese right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
If you do fully assemble the salad ahead of time, expect the tomatoes to release a little extra juice as it sits. Give it a quick toss before serving.
What to Serve with Summer Corn Salad
This easy side dish pairs well with all kinds of summer meals, including:
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Pork chops
- BBQ sandwiches
- Pulled pork
- Kabobs
Looking for a smoky BBQ-style version? Try my Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Lime.
Other Side Dish Recipes You'll Like
More Sweet Corn Recipes
Here are more recipes featuring sweet corn for you to try!
Recipe
Summer Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
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Ingredients
To make the dressing:
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ cup olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Salad Ingredients:
- 3 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup red onion diced
- ¼ cup flat leaf parsley chopped
- ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk 2 Tablespoons lime juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ¾ cup olive oil and salt & pepper to taste.2 Tablespoons lime juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ¾ cup olive oil, salt & pepper to taste
- Make the salad: Add 3 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels to a medium sized bowl. *If using frozen corn, thaw and pat dry. If using fresh corn, use a sharp knife to cut the kernels from the cob.Leftover sweet corn works really well for this recipe.3 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
- Add 2 cups grape tomatoes, ¼ cup red onion, ¼ cup flat leaf parsley and ¼ cup feta cheese. Add the dressing and gently toss to coat. Serve and enjoy!Serve and enjoy!2 cups grape tomatoes, ¼ cup red onion, ¼ cup flat leaf parsley, ¼ cup feta cheese
Video
Notes
Can you make summer corn salad ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the ingredients and dressing up to a day ahead. For best results, wait to add the dressing and feta cheese until shortly before serving.Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
Tara says
Such a delicious salad for summer! Definitely perfect for grilling season. That dressing sounds absolutely incredible.
Matt Ivan says
Love the flavors! It’s hearty yet fresh at the same time.
Tisha says
Great side dish for a back yard get together! Looks so refreshing!
Kate says
All these flavors and textures look just perfect for a hot summer day, can't wait to try this!
Sara Welch says
This made the best side dish with our BBQ dinner last night. Perfect for spring and hands down delicious!
Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots says
What a flavorful and healthy corn dish! Love it. Yum!
Tara says
Such a delicious salad for summer! Definitely perfect for grilling season. That dressing sounds absolutely incredible.
Matt Ivan says
Love the flavors! It’s hearty yet fresh at the same time.
Tisha says
Great side dish for a back yard get together! Looks so refreshing!
Kate says
All these flavors and textures look just perfect for a hot summer day, can't wait to try this!
Sara Welch says
This made the best side dish with our BBQ dinner last night. Perfect for spring and hands down delicious!
Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots says
What a flavorful and healthy corn dish! Love it. Yum!
Rachel Long says
This sounds really good. I think it would be good served chilled or at room temp as well. I can't wait to try it (sans cilantro).