Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad with Basil
A quick and easy summer salad combining sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil with a bright lemon dressing. Perfect for light meals or as a refreshing side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn, husked and kernels cut off (about 3 cups)
- 2 cups diced ripe tomatoes (Roma or vine-ripened)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: crumbled feta or mozzarella pearls
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ears of corn and blanch for 3 minutes.
- Immediately transfer the corn to an ice bath or rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Once cooled, use a sharp knife to carefully slice the kernels off the cob and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Dice the tomatoes and finely chop the red onion, then add them to the bowl with the corn.
- Roughly chop the basil leaves and add to the bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly.
- If using cheese, fold it in now.
- Let the salad sit for 10–15 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
Blanch corn for exactly 3 minutes and shock in cold water to keep kernels crisp. Use Roma tomatoes to avoid sogginess. Toss salad gently to keep tomato pieces intact. Best eaten fresh or within 24 hours. For vegan version, omit cheese or use plant-based alternative. Frozen corn can be used if thawed and dried thoroughly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: corn salad, tomato salad, basil salad, summer salad, fresh salad, easy salad, vegetarian, gluten-free