With fresh vegetables and a light dressing full of summer flavors, this taco corn salad is a must for your next backyard BBQ or picnic!
A lot of people in my family are not big on those cold summer salads. Potato salad, pasta salad, chicken salad, tuna salad…no way! So, pretty much anything with mayo…
A few years ago, I came up with a simple salad of bell pepper with pasta and a light olive oil based dressing. When my super-picky sister ate it, I knew that it would literally please just about everyone. Next, I added some grilled corn to the mix. Major upgrade! This summer- I kicked it up another notch, by adding taco seasoning. I wanted a Mexican street corn vibe, but without the white, creamy stuff. Gross. With simple ingredients, this salad is great served cold or warm!
I like my vegetables slightly cooked, but you could leave the onion and bell peppers raw, if preferred. Top with cotija or some queso fresco. This salad pairs beautifully with grilled, chicken, fish, burgers, hot dogs, or steak…pretty much all the summer grilling staples!
Ingredients in Taco Corn Salad
Corn
Onion
Bell Peppers
Olive Oil
Butter
Limes
Orange Juice
Taco Seasoning
Cilantro
Corn Salad Variations
- Grill corn on the cob, then cut to add to salad
- Add freshly chopped parsley
- Add some mayo (I mean…I wouldn’t, but I don’t judge)
- Add diced tomatoes, cucumber, or diced red onion
- Omit the taco seasoning
Is corn salad healthy?
For the most part, yes corn salad is healthy! It should be filled with corn and other veggies, then topped with a light dressing. If the mayo and/or butter is piled high- you still have the nutrients from the vegetables, but the overall health value would begin to decrease.
Does frozen corn have to be cooked?
Reviews are a bit mixed, but it is wise to cook frozen vegetables prior to eating. Heating dramatically lowers the risk of consuming bacteria- like listeria. Luckily, this process will not take long. Boil, steam, grill, or sauté before adding to your salad.
30 minutes
Taco Corn Salad
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 bell peppers, diced
- Salt and pepper
- 24 oz. frozen or fresh corn
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 handful of cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and peppers, seasoned with salt and pepper, for 4-6 minutes. Pour veggies into a large mixing bowl.
- Using the same skillet, add 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and the butter. Next, sauté the corn for 5-6 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and the taco seasoning mix. Add to the bowl with the peppers/onions.
- Add the orange juice, lime juice, and cilantro. Stir until well-combined. Add more salt, pepper, orange juice, or lime juice to taste. Garnish with cotija or queso fresco. Serve warm or cold.