Corn Salsa

Sweet and zesty corn salsa is made with sweet corn kernels, tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, bell peppers, and a generous squeeze of lime juice and seasonings. This colorful summer salsa is full of fresh flavors and crisp texture!

  • Total 15 minutes
  • Serves 10 servings
  • Appetizer
  • American
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Corn Salsa

Sweet and zesty corn salsa is made with sweet corn kernels, tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, bell peppers, and a generous squeeze of lime juice and seasonings. This colorful summer salsa is full of fresh flavors and crisp texture!

dipping chip in Corn Salsa more

Why this recipe works

This corn salsa is elevated with plenty of zest from the lime juice and chili lime seasonings, spice from the jalapenos, and sweetness from the corn. It’s a fun twist on regular salsa and brings a little bit of every flavor profile to the table.

This corn salsa and my salsa fresca are my two go-to’s when it comes to warm-weather gatherings and even football parties. Freshly chopped salsas are among some of my favorite party foods to bring to potlucks and backyard cookouts. They’re typically packed with the season’s best produce, and because they’re so easy to throw together I always bring them in two’s with an armful of chips in tow.

Corn Salsa in a bowl

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

ingredients for Corn Salsa

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CORN – You can use white or yellow sweet corn for this recipe, the option is open to you. There really are no distinguishing differences between the two. Frozen corn can also be substituted if desired, but if you plan on using frozen be sure you allow it to thaw then drain off any excess liquid. Canned corn can be used but isn’t preferable as it tends to be slightly soggy and not hold as much flavor compared to fresh corn.

ADDITIONS – Jalapenos add the perfect amount of spice and flavor. You may add extra jalapenos if you’d like and can also include some of the seeds and ribs for additional heat. The Trader Joe’s seasoning has a nice balance of chili powder, zesty lime, salt, and a little bit of spice. You can omit this seasoning altogether or add your own combination of chili powder, cayenne pepper, lime zest, and salt.

How to Make Corn Salsa

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

  1. In a large mixing bowl, toss together corn, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and bell pepper.corn, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and bell peppers in a bowlmixing corn salsa in a bowl
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together, chili lime seasoning, a dash of salt and pepper, lime juice, and avocado oil. Whisk until well mixed.chili seasoning dressing over corn salsa
  3. Pour lime mixture over the vegetables and toss to mix well.corn salsa in a bowl
  4. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store corn salsa?

Store corn salsa in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can I grill or cook the corn?

Yes, you can cook the corn if you prefer the flavor over raw kernels. However, this is considered a cold to room temperature dish as everything else in it is freshly chopped and not cooked so I would recommend allowing the kernels to cool completely before tossing them together with the other ingredients. Raw corn adds extra crunch and texture to the dish whereas cooked corn will be much softer.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, corn salsa can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Making it the night before an event saves time the day of and allows the flavors to mingle together furthermore.

How do you cut corn kernels off the cob?

The easiest way to cut corn kernels off the cob is to chop one end of the cob off so it can sit flat against a surface while keeping the other side intact to use as a handle. Place the cob flat side down into a bowl or over a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut downward as close to the base of the kernels as you can. Fluff the corn kernels in the bowl or on the cutting board to break them apart if needed. You can also cut the cob in half before slicing the kernels off to work in smaller sections.

Corn Salsa on a chip

Serving Suggestions

Serve corn salsa chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips for dipping. It pairs well with all sorts of main dishes like grilled meats, foil packet dinners, burritos, or for shoveling on top of tacos and nachos.

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