Zesty Sweet Corn Salad with Red Onions and Cilantro Recipe

Summer heat calls for a vibrant spicy sweet corn salad with red onions that bursts with fresh, zesty flavors.

Crisp kernels dance with sharp onion slices and bright cilantro leaves, creating a mouthwatering side dish.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle spice.

The colorful medley combines garden-fresh ingredients in a simple yet stunning presentation.

No boring salads here – this recipe brings serious excitement to your plate.

You’ll want seconds of this light, refreshing dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats or stands alone as a delightful summer starter.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing salad that promises to be the star of any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 86 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes in Spicy Sweet Corn Salad with Red Onions and Cilantro

• Red Chili Flakes: Adds fiery kick and depth of flavor, choose high-quality flakes for intense heat.
• Jalapeño: Provides fresh, green pepper heat, select firm and bright green peppers for maximum spiciness.

• Red Onion, Corn Kernels: Creates crunchy texture and sweet-sharp contrast, pick firm onions and sweet summer corn.
• Cilantro Leaves: Brings bright, herbal freshness, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.

• Lime Juice: Delivers tangy brightness and helps preserve ingredients, choose fresh, ripe limes.
• Black Pepper: Offers subtle warmth and complex background notes, use freshly ground for best flavor.
• Vinegar: Provides acidic preservation and balanced tanginess, select white or apple cider vinegar.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and aids in preservation, use kosher or sea salt.
• Sugar: Balances acidity and adds subtle sweetness, use granulated white sugar.
• Water: Helps create pickling liquid and dilute intense flavors, use filtered or clean tap water.

Tools for Spicy Sweet Corn Salad with Red Onions and Cilantro

• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing all ingredients together.
• Small pot: Needed to create the hot pickling solution.
• Quart-size jar: Essential for storing and pickling the corn salad.
• Measuring cup: Helps measure precise amounts of water and vinegar.
• Knife: Required for chopping red onions, jalapeño, and cilantro.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Mixing Spicy Sweet Corn Salad with Red Onions and Cilantro

Spicy Sweet Corn Salad Fiesta

• Flavor Explosion A vibrant medley of sweet corn, zesty jalapeño, and punchy red onions creates a mouthwatering dance of taste sensations.
• Spicy Cilantro Symphony Chop fresh cilantro and jalapeño into tiny pieces, releasing their bold, aromatic essence into the salad.
• Liquid Magic Craft a tangy pickling solution by heating vinegar with sugar and salt until it transforms into a glossy, translucent mixture.
• Jar Layering Technique Gently nestle the corn and vegetable mixture into a clean jar, creating colorful layers that promise incredible flavor.
• Chilling Perfection Pour the hot pickling liquid over the corn, seal the jar, and let it cool before tucking into the refrigerator for a flavor-packed experience that gets better with time.

Tips to Boost the Flavor of This Spicy Sweet Corn Salad

• Corn Companion Magic: Toss in diced bell peppers or cucumber for extra crunch and fresh flavors that complement the spicy-sweet profile.
• Spice Level Control: Reduce red chili flakes or remove jalapeño seeds to make the salad milder, perfect for those with sensitive taste buds who still want a flavor adventure.
• Protein Power-Up: Transform this side dish into a hearty meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a protein-packed lunch or dinner option that's both nutritious and delicious.
• Storage Savvy: Always use clean, sterilized jars when pickling to maximize the salad's shelf life and prevent any potential bacterial growth, ensuring your salad stays fresh and safe to enjoy.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve this vibrant salad as a zesty taco topping, alongside grilled meats, or as a bright side dish that adds a pop of color and excitement to any meal spread.

How to Serve the Corn Salad with Red Onions and Cilantro

• Fresh Taco Topper: Sprinkle this zesty corn salad over fish or chicken tacos for an explosive burst of tangy, spicy flavor that transforms your typical taco night.
• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this vibrant salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, providing a cool, refreshing side dish that adds excitement to summer picnics and barbecues.
• Versatile Sandwich Spread: Use this spicy sweet corn mixture as a unique condiment spread on sandwiches, wraps, or grilled protein dishes to elevate your standard lunch routine with a punch of bright, bold flavors.
• Unexpected Salsa Alternative: Replace traditional salsa with this corn salad as a colorful, crunchy dip for tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled meats, offering guests a delightful and unexpected culinary surprise.

Keep Spicy Sweet Corn Salad Fresh and Zesty

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the jar immediately after it reaches room temperature to lock in fresh flavors and maintain crisp corn texture.
• Portion Control Trick: Use smaller mason jars for easy individual servings, perfect for lunch boxes or quick snacks during the week.
• Flavor Enhancement Method: Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving to allow ingredients to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Smart Storage Solution: Keep the sealed jar in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back of the bottom shelf, to maximize freshness and prevent potential bacterial growth.

Vibrant Sweet Corn Salad with Red Onions and Cilantro

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican Street Corn Salad brings zesty summer flavors to your table with fresh corn, tangy red onions, and fragrant cilantro. Sharp and creamy textures combine in this quick side dish perfect for backyard gatherings or potluck meals.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml) fresh raw corn kernels, from about 2 ears of corn
• ¼ sliced medium red onions
• 1 seeded thinly sliced jalapeño
• ¼ cup (59 ml) fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• ¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• ¼ cup (59 ml) fresh lime juice
• ½ cup (118 ml) white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Finely dice red onions and jalapeño into uniform, small pieces to ensure balanced flavor distribution throughout the salad.
2. Corn Processing: Extract fresh corn kernels directly from the cob, capturing the vegetable’s natural sweet and vibrant essence with a sharp knife.
3. Initial Mixing: Combine chopped red onions, jalapeño, and corn kernels in a spacious mixing bowl, gently folding to create an even blend of ingredients.
4. Seasoning Layer: Dust the vegetable mixture with red chili flakes and freshly cracked black pepper, building a complex and nuanced spice profile.
5. Herb Integration: Precisely chop cilantro leaves to release their aromatic oils, thoroughly incorporating them into the salad for maximum flavor infusion.
6. Acid Enhancement: Drizzle fresh lime juice over the mixture, allowing the citrus to brighten and harmonize the ingredient combination.
7. Pickling Base: Create a pickling liquid by dissolving salt and sugar in vinegar over medium heat, stirring until granules completely melt and integrate.
8. Preservation Method: Transfer the seasoned vegetables into a sterilized glass jar, carefully pouring the hot pickling liquid to completely submerge the ingredients.
9. Flavor Development: Seal the jar tightly and allow it to rest at room temperature, then refrigerate to let flavors meld and intensify for several hours before serving.

Notes

• Dice with Precision: Cut red onions and jalapeño into uniform, tiny pieces to ensure each bite delivers balanced heat and flavor.
• Kernel Extraction Technique: Slice corn kernels directly from the cob for maximum freshness and natural sweetness.
• Spice Layer Building: Sprinkle red chili flakes and black pepper strategically to create a complex, multi-dimensional flavor profile.
• Pickling Pro Tip: Press ingredients gently in the jar to remove air pockets, preventing potential bacterial growth and ensuring even marination.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 86
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg