This delicious Sauteed Sweet Corn Salad with Bacon can be served as a side dish or appetizer. Try it warm, at room temperature or chilled. It's loaded with fresh sweet corn, crisp and salty bacon, shallots, red bell peppers, basil and cilantro and takes only minutes to make.
sweet corn salad
In the summer time, sweet corn is fresh, buttery, and plentiful. I LOVE cooking with it. New Jersey has some of the sweetest corn on the cob. The kernels pop with amazing deliciousness in some of my favorite recipes including avocado corn salad, Texas caviar, this kid favorite dinner, veggie and bean enchiladas, and an easy 30 minute chili.
The inspiration for this sweet corn salad with bacon recipe came from a personal client request. To go along with their weekly entrées, the family wanted a side dish with BACON. What better to accompany salty crisp bacon than sweet and buttery fresh corn?
A quick sauté (in bacon fat and butter!) of shallots, red bell peppers, garlic, and corn cut straight off the cob is tossed with smoked paprika, a dash of apple cider vinegar, and lots of fresh cilantro and basil. This sweet corn salad recipe is all about the amazing flavors of summer.
the ingredients
- thick cut bacon
- salted butter
- shallot
- red bell pepper
- garlic
- corn on the cob
- smoked paprika
- apple cider vinegar
- cilantro
- basil
- kosher salt
- pepper
my cooking videos
how do you make sweet corn salad?
This is one of the easiest and tastiest summer corn salad recipes. It will be ready to serve in 15 minutes!
- Cook the bacon ~ Slice the bacon into pieces and cook until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Sauté the vegetables ~ Along with some of the bacon grease and a pat of butter, sauté the shallot, red bell pepper, and garlic.
- Add some seasonings ~ Stir in smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, and fresh basil and cilantro.
- Stir in the crispy bacon ~ Toss the cooked bacon with the sauteed vegetables.
how to cut fresh sweet corn off the cob
Cutting corn off the cob can be tricky. The kernels can bounce all over your kitchen counters if not contained. To corral the sweet corn niblets, stand the bottom end of the cob in large bowl. Using a large sharp chef's knife, slice from the top down so the kernels fall into the bowl. Rotate the cob and continue slicing each side until all the corn is cut off.
suggestions and recipe tips
- Use fresh corn on the cob ~ Without a doubt, fresh corn is my first choice for this recipe. Choose corn that have bright green and slightly damp husks wrapped tightly on the cob. The tassel should be sticky and brown. Use the corn as soon as you can. As sweet corn sits after picking, the sugars in the kernel turn to starch. This reduces the flavor and makes the texture tough.
- Thick cut bacon! ~ Use meaty, thick cut bacon. And slice it into 1 inch pieces. The bacon should be plentiful and stand out in the dish.
- Just a quick sauté ~ The shallot, red bell pepper and sweet corn will have the most delicious flavor when sauteed until just tender crisp.
- Fresh herbs please ~ I love the combination of fresh basil and cilantro in the corn salad. But try other herbs too if you would like. Some options are fresh thyme, oregano, and parsley.
how to serve sweet corn salad
This summer recipe is a versatile dish. Serve the corn salad warm, at room temperature or chilled. It's the perfect side dish to accompany summery entrees like burgers, chicken skewers, or bbq beef brisket sandwiches. Along with a bowl of crunchy tortilla chips, the sweet and savory corn and bacon recipe is a tasty dip. One of my favorite ways to enjoy corn salad is along side fluffy scrambled eggs.
just one more thing
If you make this amazing sweet corn salad, I’d love hearing from you all. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.
Also check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories, videos, cooking tips, and recipes.
more summer time salads to try
Lemony Cauliflower Salad with Edamame and Chickpeas
Apples, Fennel and Radish Slaw with Pecans and Blue Cheese
Melon Salad with Fresh Mozzarella and Pine Nuts
Chickpea Salad with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette
recipe
Sauteed Sweet Corn Salad with Bacon
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This delicious Sauteed Sweet Corn Salad with can be served as a side dish or appetizer. Try it warm, at room temperature or chilled. It's loaded with fresh sweet corn, crisp and salty bacon, shallots, red bell peppers, basil and cilantro and takes only minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces thick cut bacon, sliced in 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1/2 cup sliced shallots
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 6 ears of sweet corn, cut off the cob, about 4 cups
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the bacon. Cook until browned and crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the pan to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside. Discard all but about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat. Leave in the pan.
- Sauté the vegetables: To the same pan over medium heat, add the salted butter. When the butter has melted, add the shallots, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. The vegetables should just start to soften, but should be tender crisp. Add the corn and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the seasonings: Add the smoked paprika and apple cider vinegar and stir to combine.
- Add the cooked bacon: Remove the pan from the heat. Add the cooked bacon to the pan with the sauteed vegetables and stir to combine.
- Add the herbs: Add the basil, cilantro. Stir to combine. Season to taste with kosher salt and pepper.
- Serve: The salad can to served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use fresh corn on the cob ~ Without a doubt, fresh corn is my first choice for this recipe. Choose corn that have bright green and slightly damp husks wrapped tightly on the cob. The tassel should be sticky and brown. Use the fresh corn as soon as you can. As sweet corn sits after picking, the sugars in the kernel turn to starch. This reduces the flavor and makes the texture tough.
- Thick cut bacon! ~ Use meaty, thick cut bacon. And slice it into 1 inch pieces. The bacon should be plentiful and stand out in the dish.
- Just a quick sauté ~ The shallot, red bell pepper and sweet corn will have the most delicious flavor when sauteed until just tender crisp.
- Fresh herbs please ~ I love the combination of fresh basil and cilantro in the corn salad. But try other herbs too if you would like. Some options are fresh thyme, oregano, and parsley.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: appetizer or side dish
- Method: cook on stove top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 268
- Sugar: 6.1 g
- Sodium: 476 mg
- Fat: 11.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 4.6 g
- Protein: 12.6 g
- Cholesterol: 26 mg
Ann
I had all intentions to make this as a side for dinner last night, but I ended up eating it as a dip with chips! So delicious! Will definitely make it again!
Amy Casey
It is addicting!
Peter
I love the bacon in this corn salad! We enjoyed it as an appetizer with corn chips, it was hit with everybody!
Amy Casey
One of my favorite ways to enjoy it Peter.
Veronika
We made this salad as a dip last night and served it while it was still hot. It was really tasty! I'll definitely make it again, I think it would be really good with eggs for breakfast.
Amy Casey
Definitely try it with eggs ~ it is delicious!
Sean
This was a hit at the last barbeque I went to. There wasn't any left.
Amy Casey
I love to hear that Sean! I am glad it was a hit.
Jessica
This salad is delightfully fresh and delicious. It was simple to prepare and paired beautifully with the grilled chicken I made. My whole family loved it!!! I'll definitely be making it again this summer.
Amy Casey
Awesome! I'm so glad your family enjoyed my recipe 🙂
Leslie
I feel like this recipe was created just for me..haha! This is a phenomenal recipe with the most amazing flavor combination!
Amy Casey
Thanks so much Leslie 🙂
Tammy
Ooh what a great combo! This is a perfect salad to bring to bbqs. Looks so delicious...I love corn salad.
Amy Casey
Thanks Tammy. I just love the idea of bringing it to bbqs.
Jenny
Sweet corn and bacon is intoxicating. Love it. This is now my go to comfort food salad. Cheers.
Amy Casey
I love to hear that Jenny!