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!

 

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151 Comments

  1. Wonderful story and you are spot on about About the quality of tv programing I wish it were better, much better.

  2. Thanks for the beautiful tribute to Martha Berry and wonderful Berry College. My children attended Camp Winshape for many years and we all have many happy memories of their experience. PLUS my husband and I always enjoyed our 2 week vacation while they were at camp!! Now back to the recipe….

  3. Tahnk you for being so real, Christy. I haven’t been on Southern Plate for long but was hooked after just one reading of your recipes! Happened on it while looking for a recipe for green fried tomatoes (and let me just say, I followed your directions and they were delicious!) I have not found another site with your twist of blogging and pictures! wow. Keep it up, girl! You’ve got it goin’ on!

  4. Made the corn salad last night, was a big hit w/me & the kids. Thanks again for another great recipe.

  5. When your youngest gets a little older you should send both of your kids to Camp Winshape, then you could have 2 weeks with just you and your husband! My son (11) went to Camp for the first time this summer and loved it! Our daughter went every year from age 8-13. It is a wonderful Camp!

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