Summer Corn Salad

Let me introduce you to the perfect summer salad: my summer corn salad recipe. It’s quick and easy to make, cool and refreshing, and includes the perfect blend of fresh vegetables and zesty Italian dressing.

Serving Summer Corn Salad

Today I’m bringing you what is, in my mind, the perfect summer salad for a picnic or barbecue. It’s cool, refreshing, has a blend of great flavors that work together perfectly, and is a cinch to make. Don’t you just love recipes like that? I sure do!

My summer corn salad recipe includes lots of fresh vegetables (the more the better when summer comes around, I say). We’re talking fresh corn, fresh tomatoes, onion, and green bell pepper. These crunchy vegetables are tossed in zesty Italian dressing and then refrigerated for several hours, so they can really marinate and soak up all that delicious dressing flavor.

That’s all there is to it! A couple of steps and your summer corn salad is ready to serve to family and friends. I love that I can make it in advance because we all know summer weekends can be just a little bit busy!

At the bottom of the post, I’ve included lots of serving suggestions, but this summer salad truly pairs well with any barbecue or grilled meat. Enjoy!

Summer Corn Salad Ingredients

Recipe Ingredients

  • Italian dressing
  • Whole kernel corn
  • Onion
  • Bell pepper
  • Tomato

How to Make Summer Corn Salad

Chop up vegetables.

Chop up your fresh veggies and drain the cans of corn.

Place all vegetables in a large bowl.

Place all of the veggies in a large bowl. 

Add Italian dressing and stir well.

Add in Italian dressing and stir well. 

Refrigerate corn salad for several hours before serving.

Cover and refrigerate your summer corn salad for several hours before serving to allow flavors to blend.

Serving Summer Corn Salad

Enjoy! This can be made up to two days ahead of time to keep life simple. 

Storage

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Recipe Notes

  • You can use fresh corn, frozen corn, or canned corn kernels. For fresh and frozen corn, you’ll want to cook it quickly in water on the stovetop or in the microwave so it’s nice and tender before adding it to the recipe. Another option is to grill the fresh corn for a few minutes on each side before adding the grilled corn to the salad. It will add a delicious smoky flavor.
  • Use either regular or zesty Italian dressing.
  • Make this summer corn salad recipe your own with these variations:
    • Add different vegetables, like diced cucumber, red onion, chopped avocado for creaminess, or grilled zucchini to complement the grilled corn.
    • Add black beans or edamame.
    • Use chopped cherry tomato instead.
    • Substitute the green bell pepper for red bell pepper.
    • Add some fresh herbs, like chopped fresh parsley, fresh basil, dill, mint, or fresh cilantro.
    • Before serving, sprinkle it with crumbled feta cheese.

Recipe FAQs

What do you serve with summer corn salad?

Basically, everything goes with summer sweet corn salad. Serve it with your favorite summer main dish, like burgers, pulled pork or pulled chicken, grilled chicken tenders, crockpot beef ribs, or even Southern fried catfish.

You may also enjoy these sensational summer salads:

Recipe for Caprese Salad with Chicken and Avocado

Tomato Onion and Cucumber Salad

Cornbread Salad Recipe

Aunt Cathie’s Grape Salad

Summer Corn Salad

This summer corn salad recipe is quick and easy to make, cool and refreshing, and includes the perfect blend of fresh vegetables and zesty Italian dressing.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: corn, salad
Servings: 4
Calories: 60.6kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
  • 2 medium diced tomatoes
  • 1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 diced small onion
  • 1 cup Italian dressing

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
    2 cans whole kernel corn, drained, 2 medium diced tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, seeded and diced, 1 diced small onion, 1 cup Italian dressing
  • Can be made up to two days ahead of time. This is delicious and the perfect side for a barbecue!

Nutrition

Calories: 60.6kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Ghandi

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151 Comments

  1. Thank you Christy – your sweet post made me cry. You just know how to say the right thing at the right time. I am a parent of 5 amazing children. One of whom is my 15 year old son who is a drug addict. It is just such a long and tiring road. It can just sap the joy out of life and being a Mom. Thank you for reminding me to keep on trying and trying to be the best person I can be!

    1. Jane, I am praying for you, your son and your family. It is not easy watching someone you love so much go through this.

    2. Jane, my prayers go out to you and your son. Leave everything in God’s hands and he will see you through and help your son.

  2. Thank you, Christy, for reminding me that there are still a lot of nice people out there! We haven’t watched television for years because what is on is so depressing. Our set is used for watching movies that we own or rent. I don’t even understand the current t.v. shows, and I consider most of them to be decadent.

  3. I read all of the comments and I can’t think of anything to add to them, they all said it so well. I agree with them that you are a wonderful person, thoughtful, kind and a great cook. Just think of all the jewels that God will place in your crown when you get to Heaven. God bless you and your family.

  4. Christy, this post is just one more reason why I love what you’ve done with Southern Plate! You not only post delicious and easy ways we can love on our family, but you keep our feet grounded on the important things and encourage us daily. Martha Berry was one amazing lady who reminds me of the definition of true beauty. Thanks for being such a blessing to your readers!

  5. Love simple cool summer salads! Can’t wait to try this one.Also just want to let you know how much I appreciate the Martha Berry story and all the quotes you post everyday! Thanks so much for letting me know there are still lots of folks out there who love REAL life with family , friends and neighbors!! Todays story really touched my heart to want to strive to be a more giving person such as Martha Berry!! I pray you have a blessed day!!!

  6. Just wanted to tell you that I made your Super Easy Spaghetti Sauce The other day. I had invited my 3 granddaughters for dinner and it was in the 90’s. Really didn’t want to use the oven. It was delicious and a big hit with my family. My little 1 month old great-granddaughter said it was delicious also and she was covered in it.

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