Corn Salsa
Corn Salsa is a fresh corn salad with tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, jalapeno, and cilantro. Add a squeeze of lime and you’re done! Imagine Chipotle’s corn salsa with a scoop of Pico de Gallo all mixed together. That’s what this fresh salsa tastes like. This Corn Salsa can be served as an appetizer with chips or is my favorite topping over a salad, fish, or chicken.
EASY CORN SALSA RECIPE
Whenever I go to Chipotle and I’m trying to eat healthy I’ll get a salad with a big scoop of their spicy corn salsa and a big scoop of their mild salsa (pico de gallo).
Their Corn Salsa has a sweetness from the fresh corn but with a whole lot of heat. All by itself, I’m actually not a huge fan. But add a scoop of Pico de Gallo with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and cilantro – yes!! It adds so much.
I know I just made Greek Salsa, but Mexican food will always have my heart.
The hardest part about this recipe is cooking the corn. I know you’re thinking, “Christy, cooking corn isn’t hard.”
It is when your stove takes 15 minutes to boil water. I’m just not that patient. I use number 4 below (the microwave hack) to cook mine.
INGREDIENTS
- FRESH SWEET CORN – Depending on the season or the sweetness of the corn, fresh corn kernels are best but frozen or canned can be used. Sweet raw corn should be cooked though. See below on ways to cook.
- JUICY TOMATOES – It’s best to use whatever tomato is the ripest. I like to use grape or cherry tomatoes but plum tomatoes or Roma tomatoes can be used.
- BELL PEPPER – Use any color you like green, orange, yellow, or red bell pepper.
- FRESH LIME JUICE
- RED ONION – If you want more of a mild flavor use green onions.
- FRESH CILANTRO
- JALAPENO PEPPER – Use just 1/2 a pepper for medium heat and more if you like it hot. The jalapeño seeds make it hot so take them out.
- (optional) BLACK BEANS – They’re not included but you can add them to beef it up.
HOW TO COOK CORN ON THE COB
There are many ways that you can cook corn on the cob and here are the ways how:
- Bring a pot of water to boiling and boil the corn for 3-5 minutes.
- Grill the corn over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Keep the ear of corn in its husk and microwave for 3-5 minutes. It steams the corn.
- Cut the corn off the cob with a sharp knife and saute in a pan with a little oil for 3-5 minutes.
HOW TO MAKE CORN SALSA
Now that you know how to cook your corn, making corn salsa is a breeze. It’s a lot of chopping but then you’re done. There’s nothing like a spicy, fresh corn salsa.
CAN I USE FROZEN OR CANNED CORN?
I’m usually all about take shortcuts where you can, but when the main ingredient in this salsa you really want to use fresh corn. If you have to choose between canned corn or frozen corn, I would use frozen. Canned corn tends to be a little soggy.
HOW TO GET GRILL MARKS WITHOUT GRILLING
You can get those nice roasted marks but either sauteing in a pan or holding the cooked corn with tongs over an open gas stove flame. I even use my kitchen blow torch sometimes to get a little charred flavor on my corn.
FAVORITE MEXICAN DISHES
- Pico De Gallo
- Homemade Guacamole
- Salsa Verde
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Instant Pot Mexican Chicken recipe
- Homemade Tortillas
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken Tacos
OTHER CORN RECIPES
- Frito Corn Salad
- Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad
- Cowboy Caviar
- Black and White Bean Dip
- Corn Souffle
- Corn Stuffing Balls
Corn Salsa
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh corn, cooked and shucked, about 4-5 ears of corn
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered, (Roma can be used as well)
- 1 cup bell pepper, seeded and diced, red, green, orange, or yellow
- 1/2 red onion, diced finely
- 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced finely, (you can use a whole one for spicier)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 limes, juiced
- salt and pepper to taste
- (optional) tortilla chips for scooping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients together and season with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with tortilla chips if desired or over chicken, fish, or a salad. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- Bring a pot of water to boiling and boil the corn for 3-5 minutes.
- Grill the corn over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Keep the corn in its husk and microwave for 3-5 minutes. It steams the corn.
- Cut the corn off the cob and saute in a pan with a little oil for 3-5 minutes.
Excellent recipe! Just signed up to get all your recipes! Can’t wait for more! Thanks!
Aw thank you!
How long ahead of time can I make this? Thanks, it looks great
a day ahead should be fine
This is summer in a bowl! So fresh and crunchy and colorful! Delicious on chips or with grilled meat or by itself. Thank you!
Thank you!
I made it last night and will never use any other recipe!! It was phenomenal!
Awesome!
Can this be canned? If so, can you provide process method & times?
I have not tried canning this but I’m sure you could.
This is very good , I have added cut up avocados and works well. I also have tried using frozen and can for when fresh corn isn’t available. I found that buying a good brand of can corn works great. Store brands tend to get soft. frozen i find get watery, I let it thaw in a colander so water drains out. It works with all . I then with put it in a skillet and warm it up and then let it cool works well. But always fresh is best for great summer flavor
Thank you Sharon!
I am going to make this as a topping for crab cakes. As someone suggested I think I am going to add some mango as I love the fruit in salsa.
Sounds delicious!
Found this on a search for RAW corn relish. Recipe looks good, but why would you cook corn in an otherwise raw food recipe??
you can do it raw! I like the flavor of charred.
I’m cooking for USA girls Olympic gymnastic team and need tomato corn salsa for 90 can you please give me the best one you have. I do not want to char corn or use fresh tomatoes or corn as I’m in Indy and not fresh at this time . I’d love to have needed ingredients given for 90 servings, don’t know if that is something you might be able to help me with! Thanks in advance Barb
Shoot Barb this is the only recipe I have for corn salsa. You might want to find another one that suits your need better? I’m assuming canned corn and canned tomatoes?
Every time I make this it is big hit!! Love this recipe!!
Awesome!
Excellent, thank you
I served with fried green tomatoes and bbq pork chops,,
Family raved
Wahooo
Gigi
Thanks!
Such a delicious, fresh recipe. I served it as a side with my fourth of July BBQ chicken. I added diced avocado, which worked very well. Perhaps mango for a salmon topper next?
Thank you for the recipe and for the reasoning behind using the fresh, cobbed corn. It did make a tasty difference! My vegetarian daughter loved this, too. 🙂
You are welcome!
This was an excellent salsa! I used Roma tomatoes as well as a cilantro paste. It was phenomenal!!
Thank you!
I’m always looking for a great summer side, this is awesome! And we eat a ton of corn in the summer, but I usually just do the cobs, so I love the twist of incorporating it into something different. Excited to try!
We love it!
hey girl- this corn salsa looks so good!
Thank you!