Corn salsa is one of the most delicious summer recipes you can make this season! Thanks to a rainbow of colorful peppers, grilled onion and corn, and cilantro, it's one of the best summer side dishes worth trying. It's an easy snack to serve at home, but just as easy to pack up and carry to a potluck or party! Use it to top any type of taco for a Mexican-inspired fiesta or sprinkle it over grilled fish to jazz up a simple dinner. You can also just keep it simple and scoop it up corn salsa with crisp, homemade tortilla chips.
What's in corn salsa?
This corn recipe leans on a colorful array of red bell peppers, finely chopped jalapeño peppers, grilled corn, grilled red onion, cumin, smoked paprika, and a splash of lime juice and vinegar for flavor.
Do you have to cook corn for corn salsa?
Nope! Fresh corn is super sweet and this salsa tastes amazing with it. But the flavors get really interesting with just a quick trip to the grill—the flames add a smoky element and caramelize the corn's sugars a bit, dialing up the flavor big time.
Can I use frozen corn for corn salsa?
When fresh corn is unavailable, feel free to use frozen corn. You can buy frozen ears of corn, thaw, and then grill them, or use thawed, frozen corn kernels—about 4 cups for this recipe.
Is corn salsa spicy?
This recipe calls for jalapeño peppers but don't worry, it's only one pepper! Plus, it's finely chopped so it gets distributed throughout the salsa leaving no bite overwhelmingly spicy. In fact, this salsa is more sweet than spicy thanks to all the fresh corn. If spice is what you crave, however, feel free to add more jalapeño for a punch of heat!
How long does corn salsa last in the fridge?
Corn salsa will stay fresh for about three days in the fridge. This is a great recipe to make the day before a summer get-together. As it sits, the flavors and spices meld together for even more deliciousness. Just be sure to wait until you're ready to serve to add the cilantro so it's fresh and bright green.
What do you eat with corn salsa?
Corn salsa is good all by itself with tortilla chips, but it's also an incredible topping for anything grilled (think: grilled flank steak or grilled pork chops).
ears of corn
small red onion
olive oil
red bell pepper, diced
jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
fresh lime juice
red wine vinegar
salt
ground cumin
ground black pepper
chili powder
chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
Tortilla chips, for serving
Tip: If you aren't looking to fire up your grill, make this salsa with fresh corn and onion. Use just half of an onion chopped, in place of the whole, grilled onion.
Whether he’s stirring something new and delicious into his skillet cornbread, adding a healthy twist to a favorite comfort food recipe, or trying out a new exotic spice, Senior Food Editor Josh Miller loves dreaming up delicious, cookable recipes for PioneerWoman.com. When he hangs up his apron for the day, you can him in his pottery studio, creating fun and functional items for the kitchen and home.
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