This super fresh corn salad recipe is bursting with fresh-from-the-garden goodness. This salad features fresh sweet corn, cucumber, radishes, tomato, herbs and jalapeño tossed in a simple vinaigrette. Creamy feta or avocado brings it all together.
This salad would make a beautiful presentation at your summertime get-togethers or on your dinner table. It goes well with grilled options and balances out heavier main dishes. I think it would look cute as an appetizer, served in small glasses or ramekins.
It’s been so hot in Kansas City lately that I’ve fully embraced raw summer produce. I’m a big fan of raw sweet corn, but you could grill your corn first if you’d like some smoky flavor. This corn salad recipe is delicious either way.
Fresh Sweet Corn Tips
Buy fresh corn and use it promptly. Freshly harvested corn has the sweetest, most delicious flavor, and it loses that flavor as time goes on.
How to cut corn off the cob: I find it easiest to just lay the corn down on the cutting board. Slice off a strip of kernels lengthwise with a sharp knife, rotate so the flat side is against the cutting board, and repeat as necessary.
Watch How to Make Garden-Fresh Corn Salad
Craving more light and fresh summer recipes? Here are a few of my favorites, no cooking required:
- Colorful Strawberry Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
- Fresh Corn Salsa
- Gaby’s Cucumber Salad
- Creamy Avocado Dip
- Fresh Black Bean Salad
Please let me know how you like this recipe in the comments! I appreciate your feedback so much. Let me know what you’re craving this summer, please. ♥
Garden-Fresh Corn Salad
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 salads 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: American
This fresh corn salad recipe features raw sweet corn, fresh herbs, cucumber, radishes, jalapeño, tomato and more! It’s the perfect summertime salad. Recipe yields 4 to 6 salads.
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw corn kernels (from about 4 cobs)
- 1 medium tomato, chopped (about ½ cup)
- ¾ cup chopped green onion
- 1 cup quartered and thinly sliced cucumber (preferably English cucumber)
- ½ cup chopped fresh leafy herbs (choose from basil, dill, mint, parsley and/or cilantro)
- ½ cup chopped radishes
- 1 medium jalapeño, very thinly sliced (omit if sensitive to spice)
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar, to taste
- 2 medium cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese or 1 ripe avocado, diced
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, combine the corn, tomato, green onion, cucumber, herbs (don’t skimp on the herbs!), radishes, and jalapeño.
- In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and several twists of black pepper. Whisk until blended, then pour it over the salad. Toss to combine.
- Add most of the feta or avocado (reserve some for garnish), and gently toss. Taste, and add more vinegar for more tang (I usually add another full tablespoon), or salt for more overall flavor. Garnish with the remaining feta or avocado.
- Serve promptly, or chill for later. This salad keeps well for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, covered.
Notes
Make it dairy free/vegan: Use avocado instead of feta. If you’re missing feta’s salty punch, you could add some thinly sliced Kalamata olives.
Corn options: I love raw sweet corn here, but you could also use frozen corn, defrosted and drained. Want more smoky flavor? Grill your corn before making this salad!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Christina Rea
Hi,
I bought your cookbook and have used many of your recipes over the past year, which I love! Just noticed you are from Kansas City, MO and we just moved here from Brooklyn, NY and we are loving it here.
Kate
Thanks so much for your support! Welcome to Kansas City. :) There are a ton of great things about Kansas City.
Denise Skyba
This was delicious. this was easy and simple with ingredients you typically have in the house. Thanks for posting this is definitely going in my recipe of file
Naiby Jacques
Hey! Kate. Just subscribed to your newsletter and I’m glad to have received your new recipe shortly after. It looks great! I love the brightness of this salad. And I can almost taste its freshness from the screen!
This is also the kind of salad I’d make in a burrito with. Either in a gluten-free tortilla or a collard green leaf to keep it 100% garden-like.
You’re right about cutting the corn laying down (your second photo seems to be missing); it works so much better than having it standing up. I used to it this way before but thank God I had a good knife to accelerate the pain of removing the kernels. Can’t wait to try your salad!
Kate
Thanks for subscribing! Let me know what you think about the salad, Naiby. I love to hear from you!
Robin
Love your recipes! However, I can’t see the nutritional info…
Kate
Hi Robin, You need to click to expand the nutrition label. If you still can’t see it, make sure you allow cookies enabled on your browser to allow the plug-in. Hope this helps!
Abby
Tried this recipe and it tasted so fresh and delish. Thanks so much for the recipe:)))))
Naomi Tiscione
I stick the stalk part of corn into the hole of a bundt pan. It provides a stable base, and the pan catches the corn as you cut it off the cob. I forget where I found that method, but it has really worked well for me. I’ll definitely try this recipe, I love using fresh kernels of corn.
Kate
It’s a great trick for sure! Thanks so much, Naomi.
Lori
I tweaked your recipe (it’s a great recipe) and added a chipotle honey dressing and lime juice instead of the vinegar. Used cilantro for the fresh herb. Thank you for this.
Kate
You’re welcome, Lori! I appreciate your review.
Marta Harrison
You did it again!!!! This salad is delicious! I used a bundt pan to get the corn kernels off of fresh farmers market corn! I just took my first bite and it was delicious! What a great summer treat!
Kate
Well, thank you Marta! Thanks for your review.
Annika
Delicious! I happened to have pretty much all the ingredients at home last evening so I put this salad together to have with dinner. Very easy and so tasty! I used red onion instead of the green because that’s what I had plus I chopped the jalapeno pretty small. It was perfect to have with my veggie burger.
Kate
Sounds delicious, Annika! I appreciate the review.
cinde
I LOVE your recipes! I have probably tried 15 to 20 of them and they are all delicious! I just bought your book and will probably buy more for my family. Thanks again!!
Kate
Thank you! I love to hear that. I appreciate the review.
Melissa
I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for months now just waiting to see fresh corn at the farmers market. I used fresh herbs from my garden which were mostly parsley and basil. I substituted lime juice for the vinegar and the end result was fantastic. I’m excited to enjoy this salad over the next couple of days. Thanks Kate!
Lisa C.
I waited quite a while to purchase your cookbook, I love your blog but couldn’t really justify yet another cookbook purchase. I finally caved and bought it because I’ve never come across a Cookie & Kate recipe I didn’t like and I’m so glad I did! The book is absolutely gorgeous, I’ve had it for about 3 weeks now and I have yet to put it away as I’m always reading it. So far my favorite recipe was the Thai mango slaw, the combination of flavours is amazing and eating mango always feels like a treat, especially up here in northern Canada where “exotic foods” can be pretty pricy. So thank you! :)
Kate
I’m so glad you got it! Thanks so much. :)
Elizabeth | Take On E
Yum! I made something very similar to this the other day. I LOVE using raw corn this time of year. Why make your kitchen all hot and muggy when fresh corn is perfectly good without boiling it into oblivion?! So good!
Kate
I’m glad you agree! I don’t know why more people haven’t tried it.
Beverly Flynn
Delicious! Downright delicious! Will definitely make again.
Kate
Wonderful, Beverly! Thanks for your review.
Sarah
It’s 111 degrees today in Tucson, Arizona so this salad looks so refreshing and delicious! Do you have any tips for how best to remove corn silk? I’m also a big fan of raw sweet corn but I have trouble getting rid of all those wispy fibers and I don’t like eating them.
Kate
I usually just peel it away, but you can also use a vegetable brush to help it along as well. Hope this helps!
Yee Kok Siong
I’m always looking for complete protein, low-fat, tasty salads that are not boring. Thanks for sharing the one…
Kate
You’re welcome!
Katie
This was a super yummy salad! I used only cilantro for herbs. Will be making this one again and again!
Kate
Wonderful, Katie! Thanks for your review.
Malia
Enjoyed this salad, so easy to make. The raw corn was very good. And I’m so happy to say that I have your cookbook now. It arrived this week, in France. Thanks for the tip on the reduced price. :)
Kate
Hooary! I love that you got my cookbook too. Let me know what you think. :) Thanks for trying this salad, too!
Shar
Hi Kate
Thank you for this delicious fresh and tasty recipe!! I used basil and oregano from my garden and my taste buds are so happy right now. I will definitely make again.
Kate
Fresh garden herbs, sounds fantastic! Thanks for your review.
Jayne Judd
Oh my goodness. This recipe is amazing for a summer barbeque or event. The freshness of all of the ingredients definitely adds to the end product. We have having it for a pizza party tonight and then taking it to a neighborhood potluck tomorrow. Delish!
Kate
Hooray! I’m so glad it was a hit. Thanks for the review.
James Childs
Easiest way to get the corn off the cob is put the cob straight up and down in the middle of a bundt cake pan. Cutting off the kernels they fall right in the pan. Just easily rotate the cob.
Kate
Thanks for sharing, James!
Annika Jessen
This is absolutely delicious. Incredibly fresh and perfect for summer. We grilled the corn to give it a bit of a Smokey flavor, and used a habenero due to a jalapeño allergy.
Cookie and Kate never fails.
Kimberly Zucco
This salad was so fresh and so amazing!
Kate
Thank you! If you would like to leave a star review, I would appreciate it.
Aileen Cassells
A delicious corn recipe. Very tasty and healthy too!
Kate
Thank you!
Helen Walker
So pretty and simple!
Kate
Thank you!
Catherine
Made this last night and oh my goodness it was so good! I served it as a side to the Vegetarian Tacos (https://cookieandkate.com/2018/epic-vegetarian-tacos-recipe/) and it was perfect. I only wish I would’ve discovered this recipe at the beginning of summer!!
Vidya Sukumar
I just love your recipes so much. Just the look of it makes me wanna try it. Awesome recipes and I started baking very recently and I’m soooo new to this. I try to bake healthy and your recipes r my only ones so far. Thanks
Kate
You’re welcome! Thanks for your review, Vidya!
Vidya sukumar
I made it for a potluck and everyone loved it. They loved your cupcakes too. For this salad.. I didn’t add d vinegar and I sautéed d corn little since v had kids and also I added shredded carrot. It was sooooo yummy.. with avocado.
Melody
I made this salad and its sooooooooo tasty and healthy. I didnt have any green onions so i put red onions instead…….
Kate
That works, too! Thanks, Melody. I’m glad you liked it.
Liz
Which fresh herbs did you use? A little of each one listed, or 1/2 cup of just one?
Kate
I used equal parts of each, total of 1/2 cup combined. Hope this helps, Liz!
Josie K
Love this! Decided which ingredients I liked and used those, and I also added the baked falafel from Cookie and Kate on top instead of avocado. Great on a hot summer day!
Kate
All sounds like a great combination, Josie! Thanks for sharing and for your review!
Cora
Thank you for this delicious salad recipe, Kate, and for a great idea for how to serve it, Josie! What a tasty, simple, healthy dinner we just had (thanks also to Trader Joe’s falafel mix). As some of the commenters mentioned, this salad is very nice made with lime juice. I left out cucumbers as I have noticed in the past that they tend to make leftovers watery.
Caitlin
Was looking for a delicious way to use up basil and parsley from my garden and came across this recipe in my email!
I had pregnancy cravings for something like this and it’s delicious! Will definitely be making again and bringing to future cookouts!
Kate
That’s a great craving to have during pregnancy! Congrats!
Kim Shea
Really good! I had leftover steamed ears of corn from another meal so I used them. Delicious! Another hit for Cookie and Kate!
Kate
Wonderful, Kim! I’m excited you liked it.
Jan
Is it possible to use thawed frozen corn for this recipe if non-GMO, organic corn isn’t available?
Kim
I just did! I’ve made this many times with fresh farmers market corn which I caramelize a little in an iron skillet before cutting off the cob. But tonight I had everything except the fresh corn so I tossed frozen corn kernels in a hot skillet and stirred occasionally until a little caramelized in spots and the salad was still perfect! Also, I don’t bother to make the dressing separately; I toss all the salad ingredients with vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic and then add the olive oil last and give it another toss. You can’t mess this up. I don’t even measure anymore.
Kate
It’s best with fresh corn, but you can make that work.
Kim
Definitely the fresh is best! I just made it again tonight with fresh (I think I’v made it every week since I ran across this recipe!), but in a pinch, the frozen works and my family did not complain. This recipe is such a keeper!
Michele Willis
Yum yum yum! Made this salad for dinner tonight as I had leftover grilled corn that I wanted to use up. I used lots of fresh cilantro and parsley. Seriously the perfect summer salad! Paired with a salmon burger it was delicious. Definitely adding this to my summer rotation.
Kate
Great to hear, Michele!
Kathryn
Loved this! Saw fresh corn in the store today, and knew I had to try this salad. It was lovely!
Growing up, we always had so much fresh corn available from local farms in August, we’d get sick of all of the corn on the cob. This is such a great solution — such a flavorful and fresh way to enjoy the delicious fresh corn right now!
(Was delicious with 1/4 c flat leaf parsley and 1/4 c cilantro)
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Kathryn!
Lori G
This was fantastic! Only change I made was to grill the corn! Made the day before was a huge hit!
Kate
Thank you for your review, Lori!
Lori Anne
Delicious! Only change I made was to grill the corn first!
Kate
Great way to make it to your taste! Thanks for your review, Lori.
Jan Morrissey
Excellent summer salad! And so easy too! I have made it several times and it has been enjoyed by all ages. I follow the recipe pretty much exactly with only minor changes depending upon what vegetables or herbs I have handy. Sometimes I use sweet or red onions instead of radishes, add treats such as fresh peas from the garden or substitute goat cheese instead of feta….or use no cheese at all if serving vegans. Thank you for such a good idea!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Jan!
Beth
I could not locate the nutritional information for this recipe.
Kate
Hi Beth! Do you allow cookies in your browser? Also, make sure you allow pop-ups. If you are still having issues, let me know!
Helen
I’ve made this twice in the past two weeks for guests, and each time I’ve been asked to share the recipe! A wonderful, fresh, summer salad. I should mention I didn’t use feta, avocado, or jalapeño and it was still a hit.
Kate
I love it! Thanks, Helen.
Tess Allen
Oh my gosh I love this salad. I never review anything but it is just so good! The taste of summer in all of its raw herby goodness.
Sherry Neuendorff
So fresh and delicious!!! The recipe is easy and so flavorful! Thank you!
Mary Binning
This was absolutely delicious! I didn’t add the feta and used exclusively cilantro. Also added the jalapeño (minus seeds). Had two HUGE helpings, as did my husband. Definitely a keeper.
Helen Shaw
i made this salad on Sat, having read that it will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, and i needed it for Sunday. But by Sunday it was limp and dreadful! hardly any got taken from our table of 16 people dining! i put it back in the fridge, and when it was 3 days old it went plop in the bin! i don’t know why if you say it should have kept. the only thing i omitted was the fresh herbs, and the jalapeno. be glad of your comments.
Julia
Such a tasty and fresh summer salad! I didn’t have radish, so used some red bell pepper. Skipped the cheese/avocado and added lots of fresh dill, cilantro, and parsley. Perfect for dinner on a warm day!
tessah
Delish! A nice fresh side dish for when tomatoes and cukes are coming in strong. We’d accidentally already eaten all of our corn on the cob but canned corn worked great, as did white onion substituted for green. I also used chives as the herb and served it with guacamole on the side. You could throw a can of black beans in to give it some additional protein.
Michelle
I just made this salad. It is so fresh and delicious! I roasted the corn on the grill. Great suggestion about the herbs. I followed the recipe and felt I was putting in too much. Not the case. The herbs I used were cilantro, parsley and oregano. All if the flavors blend very well. My husband tried a bite before our guests arrived. He wants more-he can’t wait. Again, delicious!
Gwen Beegle
This is a terrific salad recipe! Made it tonight with the first fresh corn of the season, parsley and basil from my garden, and new cucumbers. Thanks!
Jeanne
The feta makes this soooooo good! Can’t wait to be able to use my own garden veggies in this later this summer.
Sherry
Delicious! Made as is with avocado. I used lime juice and a little red wine vinegar.
Simrit
I wasn’t expecting this to taste so good! I added a can of kidney beans for protein and flavored it up w more vinegar and salt. Delicious! Wasn’t thinking the fresh corn was necessary, but it is! Thank you!
Julia
This was SO good!!!!!
Michelle
Wow. Just when I thought I couldn’t fully enjoy another tomato, cucumber, or corn after an overdosing summer of them, I wander upon this recipe! This recipe is perfect. I didn’t have a radish, so I used red and orange sweet peppers instead, and it turned out amazing.
Kate
Wonderful, Michelle! I’m excited you loved this one. Summer produce is so good!
Myriam Gendron
Thanks for the great recipe! I used cooked corn, added a can of black beans, and made it oil-free by adding a bit of lime juice and Bragg liquid aminos. I had all the veggies on hand from my garden or purchased from the local farmer’s market. Served with avocado. So good!! Everyone in the house agrees :)
Karley
Incredible! I boiled the corn rather than using raw corn. Will definitely be making this again.
Shanley
This is so refreshing and delicious! Yummy on its own but also might make a great taco topping. Great recipe. Thank you!
Alla
I didn’t have all the ingredients (no radishes or jalapenos) , but it was still delicious! I like your recipes very much–they are healthy but more importantly, very satisfying, b/c they have enough spices and contrasting tastes.
Kate
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Alla!
Gretta
Thank you for the recipe. Would like to try it but I would want to use boiled corn do you think it will be ok
Debby
I make this recipe again and again, substituting whatever I have in the fridge… It’s such a fresh joy each time. Love it!
Kate
That’s great! Thank you for your review.
Tessa Pehanick
So, this has become one of our favorite salads. I boil the corn however, for 4-5 minutes, then remove from the cob. I have made this so many times, substituting fresh veges when I may be lacking an ingredient. For example, tonight, my mini cucs didn’t make it, so I added celery. This is also the first time I am trying the salad with avocado. It’s a win, win, no matter what you select. My husband voted to have this salad every night. Thanks!
Kate
That’s quite the vote! I’m happy to hear it is such a hit. Thanks for sharing, Tessa.
Judy B Howell
Would like try recipe
Hannah
I have made this recipe time and time again! It’s one of my summer staples and is always a hit. It holds well for a few days in fridge if there’s any leftovers too.
Kate
I’m glad you loved it, Hannah! Thank you for your review.
Rikke D
I made this corn salad for 4th of July (as well as your smashed potatoes) and it was a hit! Used basil as the herb and avocado instead of feta. So fresh tasting, and the variety of textures is great.
Kate
That’s great to hear, Rikke! Thank you for your review.
Michelle
This is fabulous! So flavorful. I used feta and followed the recipe exactly and it came out perfect. Thank you for another great recipe!
M. Cox
So fresh and delicious…. Did add a bit more vinegar and salt have it bookmarked and will definitely make it again!!
Kate
Great to hear! Thank you for your review, M.
Laura
Wanted to give this a try. Went to my local farm market and picked up all super fresh stuff. WOW WAS THIS SALAD THE BOMB!!!! It was so fresh and tasty! We love it!!!
Kate
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Laura! Thank you for your review.
Amy
It was delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Kate
You’re welcome, Amy! Thank you for your review.
Cindy
I used this recipe and added black beans and it was a hit! I brought it to a barbecue and the bowl was completely empty after lunch and two people asked for the recipe! I also used it as a salsa and over a babes of lettuce with my favorite Mexican style grilled chicken. Very flexible!
Evelyn
I make the corn salad on special occasions as per requests from my family. It is so tasty and fresh. Never have left overs with this dish
Olga
Love love love your recipes
Kate
Thank you, Olga!
Laura
So glad I tried this recipe. I’m was on the fence as I’m not a big radish or cucumber fan but I love it. It was a hit. We have a great source of local veggies and herbs that really make a difference. Will definitely make again!
Kate
I’m glad you did too, Laura! I appreciate your review.
Deborah Hooker
Loved the Fresh Corn Salad! Don’t think I’ve ever made anything using uncooked corn, but this was yummy! (I added just an extra teaspoon of red wine vinegar, but otherwise, stuck to the recipe.)
Lesley
Really enjoyed this!
Kate
Wonderful, Lesley!
Michelle
I’ve made this multiple times and it’s always AMAZING! I’ve made it for my whole family and given the link to people and they say the same. I make it with basil and tend to throw a little extra in for flavor. Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper and this is a flavor bomb you weren’t expecting.
Kate
That’s great to hear, Michelle! I appreciate your review.
Sheila A Miller
Supper yummy. I did have to substitute a green bell pepper for the cucumber. Turned out delicious!
Kate
That’s great to hear, Shelia! I appreciate your review.
Shai
Tastes like summer in bowl, always glad to be generous with the herbs ! I like the vinegar, but squeezed a bit of lime and some zest to bring it up a notch, but the radish and jalapeño bring the spice up !
CarolB
I made double the recipe to bring to two get togethers this memorial day weekend. Except for making a bit of a mess getting the kernels off the cob, it was easy to throw together and delicious! I used cilantro as my herb and topped with feta cheese. The next time, I’ll add both Basil, cilantro avocado and feta cheese as you can never have too much of a good thing! Thank you for another great recipe!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Carol! I’m glad you loved it.
J
this salad is soooooooooo good! I shared it with everyone that I know would enjoy it! I opted out the tomatoes and it was still so delicious!!
Kate
I’m glad you love it, J!
Carol B Berman
Made double the salad for 2 Memorial day weekend events. It was delicious and refreshing! Loved the taste of the uncooked corn! I used greek feta. Also appreciated the mild heat of the seeded jalapeno. Will definitely make again!
Kate
Great to hear, Carol! Thank you for sharing.
SR
I need to make it for a party of 15 people. Can I grill the corn a day before?
Kate
Sure! Let me know what you think.
Kathy Burgess
I wish I could give this recipe a 10 star rating – it’s that good!
Thank you Kate for all the time and effort that you’ve put into developing and sharing your great recipes – every one that I’ve tried has been a winner with my hard-to-please family!
Kate
Thank you, Kathy! Thank you for your comment.
Sine
On this horribly humid and rainy morning, I made your wonderful corn salad. It is lovely to look at and oh so freshly delicious. The salad and I will be attending a gathering later today and I know we both will be well received. Thank you Kate!
Kate
You’re welcome, Sine! I’m glad you enjoy it.
Margaret Rood
I planned to use lightly cooked white corn as I was cooking for a social event and time was tight. Then it turned out the grocery store didn’t have frozen white corn, which astounded me. I ended up using industrial strength frozen yellow corn like you put beside your kid’s fish stick or throw in a soup to cook three hours and the salad still turned out good. I can’t wait to make it with better corn. I used cilantro for the herb and substituted lime juice for some of the vinegar. I also needed more vinegar and lime juice than the recipe called for. Then I seasoned it with adobo seasoning. I used avocado as I wanted a vegan option for the social and used a smaller amount of jalapeno, minced.
MSB
Just a delicious little salad! I substitute Cotija Polvo cheese for the feta and the extra vinegar it was perfect! Will take this salad to any summer potluck!
Kelly
This salad is delicious and was a big hit as a side with dinner last night. Thank you, Kate, for another 5-star fresh and healthy recipe!
Kate
I’m excited you love this one, Kelly!
ligita mataite
Super delicious, refreshing and amazingly loved by all guests! Thank you
Kate
You’re welcome! I’m excited you enjoyed it.