~ This fantastic, super-easy Corn Salsa recipe is so delicious and so versatile! Toss it together with fresh, raw corn or with toasty, grilled corn … then serve it as an appetizer dip or as a side salad. You can even make it ahead, too. With this recipe, you’ve got LOTS of options! ~

This Recipe Is:   •  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less  •  Make Ahead  •  Vegetarian  •  Gluten Free  •

More than any other season, summertime begs for simplicity. Quick, no-fuss recipes that adapt themselves into any menu or occasion. The kind you don’t have to over-think – they just happen, however and whenever you need them to.

Sooooooo beautifully simple.

And it’s incredibly adaptable! It gives you lots and LOTS of options …

Serving Options (Corn Salsa or Salad or BOTH!)

Option #1)  Salsa

You can munch on this as a snack / appetizer dip. It’s fantastic served up as a salsa with crunchy, whole-grain tortilla chips!

Option #2)  Salad

Or, you can enjoy this as a salad – a speedy side dish idea that’s a nice change of pace from basic corn on the cob. Mmmmmm. You know I loooove Corn Salad Recipes!

Option #3)  Or, heck … you can do both!

Offer it up as a pre-dinner salsa dip, and then bring the rest (if … ahem … there’s any left) to the table as a side dish.

Food Pairing Options (Mexican Meals, or Practically Anything Else!)

Option #1)  Mexican Flair

With a little hit of chipotle powder and cumin, this Corn Salsa definitely fits into any Mexican menu. Especially if you toss in that optional cilantro!

A couple of ideas: it’s perfect with Chicken Tacos or with our Grilled Fajita Burgers (mmmmmmm … check out the photo below).

Option #2)  NOT Mexican

But, this recipe isn’t tooooo Mexican, if that makes sense. The Mexican spices aren’t so dominant that it screams Mexican! (while a mariachi band shakes maracas at you).

It’s great as a side for deli sandwiches or grilled meats, or lined up with other side salads at a potluck buffet. It tastes so fresh and vibrant – delightful alongside practically any summertime main course.

In fact, this recipe was born when I needed a brightly colorful side salad to photograph along with Ty’s beloved Cheesy BBQ Chicken Wraps (which aren’t Mexican at all). After the photo shoot, we gobbled it down and couldn’t wait to make more!

Make-Ahead Options (Eat It Now, or Later)

Option #1)  Dig In Now!

This Corn Salsa (errrrrr … Salad … whatever …) is terrific eaten right after you make it. And actually, that’s a really good thing, since you’ll probably want to dive in straightaway (better have some tortilla chips handy – or at least a fork).

Option #2)  Or Be Really Disciplined, and Let It Sit

Are you feeling patient? This recipe is actually even more flavorful and delicious (as though that could even be possible) if you let it sit for a little while so the flavors can mix and mingle. (Use your utmost restraint … don’t open those tortilla chips yet … walk away … walk away …)

We’ve also found it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. It’s a terrific make-ahead option if you’re trying to pre-assemble some of your recipes before hosting a party. Or, if you’re like me, it’s just nice to have a dish like this stashed in the fridge to nosh on all week.

Preparation Options (Raw or Grilled)

Option #1)  Raw

This is the crazy-fast option!

You can cut the crisp kernels off a just-picked ear of sweet corn and toss them right into the bowl – no cooking needed at all! (It’s the same lightning-fast strategy we use for our No-Cook Fresh Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad.)

Option #2)  Grilled

If you happen to be firing up the grill anyway, though, why not grill your corn for some toasty-roasty flavor?

I’ve actually even used leftover grilled corn that I happened to have in the fridge. So, you can grill some extra corn one evening, and then use it to make this salsa recipe a day or two later. Works great!

If you’ve never tried grilling corn, trust me – it’s super easy.

We use the same grilling technique in this Corn Salsa recipe as we do in our Four-Ingredient Grilled Corn Salad. (And, if you wanna do a deep-dive on the subject, you can read more about it in our article on How to Grill Corn.) But basically, all you have to do is:

1. Husk your corn.
2. Lay your ears of corn on the grill and close the lid.
3. Grill for about 5-10 minutes, turning frequently so your corn doesn’t burn or get too charred on any one side.
4. Remove your corn from the grill and allow it to cool until you can safely handle it to remove the kernels.

I know that you’ll sometimes see people grilling their corn with the husks still on. That works, too, but we prefer to remove the husks. That way, the kernels rest directly on the hot grill grates and develop lots of caramelized grill marks.

Summer Simplicity in a Bowl

So, are you picking up what I’m putting down here?

This Corn Salsa recipe (aka Corn Salad recipe) is just a go-with-the-flow kinda thing. It’ll be whatever you want it to be. Quick and ultra-easy, great anytime, and with virtually any meal.

Simple.

No-fuss.

Perfect summer food.

I love that! And you will, too.

Enjoy!