This Easy Crack Corn Salad is addicting! Fresh sweet corn, green onions, bacon, cilantro, jalapeno and avocado in a creamy lime dressing.
This refreshing side dish is one of my very favorite ways to prepare sweet corn. It's the perfect side dish for the summer months, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, summer cookouts and the beginning of fall. I like serving it alongside Tacos de Camaron for Cinco de Mayo.
Honestly, I'll eat it year round. You can always sub frozen corn for the fresh if you need to!
After the first bite you'll see why it's called Crack Corn Salad! I basically want the whole thing to myself.
I just made this recipe this week for our Fantasy Football Draft and it was a huge hit! Everyone LOVED it. I had multiple people asking for the recipe that night and the next day.
That's truly one of the best feelings when you know people enjoyed your food so much they want to make it for themselves and others.
If you love easy recipes then this creamy corn salad recipe is definitely one you'll want to add to your family dinner menu. It's something the whole family can enjoy! (You can leave out the jalapenos if you have little ones eating)
Speaking of easy sides, you will also love my Summer Fruit Salad + Easy Watermelon Basil Salad, Jalapeno Popper Dip Crock Pot Recipe and Roasted Chili Corn Salsa (Chipotle Copycat) These are some easy summer favorites that we make on repeat!
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What is Crack Corn Salad?
Crack Corn Salad is a cold corn salad with a creamy dressing. It has fresh whole kernel corn cut straight of the raw corn cobs, bacon, green onions, jalapenos, cotija cheese, avocado , cilantro and a delicious lime salad dressing with chipotle chile powder.
The jalapenos and chipotle chile powder make this salad on the spicy side but the amounts can always be adjusted if you're not a fan of spice.
It's similar to a Mexican Corn Salad with a few different ingredients.
Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh Ears of Corn - I usually use yellow corn but sweet white corn works too! If fresh corn is out of season you can always use frozen corn.
- Cotija Cheese - Cotija is a grated Mexican cheese found at most local grocery stores. If you cannot find it then use grated parmesan cheese.
- Green Onions - Use just the green part of the green onions for a light onion flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro - Using fresh cilantro is always the best option.
- Bacon - I use thick cut bacon for this recipe. I like the bigger chunks. Bacon is also a nice addition to Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad.
- Sour Cream - Sour cream and mayo make the base of the creamy dressing.
- Mayonnaise - I prefer to use Hellman's Mayo.
- Kosher Salt - Salt brings out the flavor of all the ingredients.
- Black Pepper - I prefer coarse ground black pepper.
- Chipotle Chili Powder - This gives a nice little bit of heat and a slightly smoky flavor.
- Lime Zest - Lime zest gives an enhanced lime flavor.
- Lime Juice - Lime juice helps thin out the dressing and give a delicious lime flavor. Fresh squeezed lime juice is the best option.
- Avocado - Avocado adds a cool creamy flavor to the corn salad.
- Honey - I use a bit of honey in the dressing for a touch of sweetness. My favorite honey is Local Hive Honey.
- Jalapeno - Jalapeno peppers give this dish a spicy kick! You can use less or leave it out if you're not a fan of spicy foods.
Equipment needed
- Frying Pan - Use a frying pan to cook the bacon for this recipe.
- Large Bowl - You'll need a large mixing bowl to mix all the Crack Corn Salad ingredients together.
- Small Bowl - Use a small bowl to mix the salad dressing.
- Sharp Knife - Always use a sharp knife when cutting things in the kitchen to make the cooking experience better and prevent cuts.
- Cutting Board - Make sure you use a cutting board that gives you room to work and is won't dull your knife. I like a wooden block or this classic board with grips.
Tips for Easy Crack Corn Salad
- Let the Crack Corn Salad sit for at least 4 hours so the flavors have time to blend. I think it's even more delicious the next day so feel free to make it a day ahead of time!
- Eat this dish as an appetizer with tortilla chips!
- If you want to make Easy Crack Corn Salad when it's not sweet corn season then you can use frozen corn. Make sure you thaw and drain it THOUROUGHLY.
- If you don't want this corn salad to be spicy you can leave the jalapenos on the side or skip them all together. It's still delicious without them.
- Don't skip coating your avocado pieces in lime and salt before adding them to the salad. It will help them from turning brown and enhances the flavor.
- This can be eaten on its own as a side dish or you can eat it with tortilla chips as an appetizer!
- This is an easy side dish to bring to cookouts, parties and potlucks, just like Peach Burrata Salad and easy peach cobbler with cake mix!
How to make Crack Corn Salad
It doesn't take much time to make this simple salad. The total time from start to finish is about 20 minutes.
From there the salad should sit for 4-24 hours to let the flavors meld. I hope this easy corn salad quickly becomes one of your favorite side dishes!
Making Crack Corn Salad
Cook the bacon over medium-high heat then drain it well on a few paper towels.
While the bacon is cooking, you can make the creamy dressing. Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl then stir together until fully mixed.
Cut the corn kernels off the raw corn cobs then add them to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss well.
Fold the creamy dressing into the corn mixture until fully coated. For best results let the Easy Crack Corn Salad sit for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
This salad can be eaten cold or at room temperature. While it's great for summer, try making Kale Apple Salad in the fall!
Additional Add-Ins
- Black Beans
- Red Bell Pepper
- Fresh Tomatoes
- Roasted Poblano Peppers
Storage
Store Easy Crack Corn Salad in the fridge in an airtight container or tightly covered in plastic wrap for up to 4 days. After that the avocados will begin to lose quality.
It does not freeze well, I do not recommend freezing it.
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FAQ
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you definitely can! I would recommend making Easy Crack Corn Salad at least 4 hours ahead of time and up to 1 day ahead of serving.
I think the flavors are even better the next day so I would highly recommend making it a day ahead of time.
Can you eat raw corn?
Yep, we do it all the time here! Eating fresh corn cut off the cob is delicious and has the best flavor for this fresh corn salad.
You get that yummy sweet flavor with even more of a fresh crisp crunch! I prefer using raw corn off the cob for salads. I like the texture and the flavor better.
Can I use frozen corn?
Fresh corn is my number one choice for Easy Crack Corn Salad but by all means if it's not that time of year and fresh corn is out of season then you can use frozen corn.
If you're using frozen corn for this corn salad then you'll want to make sure it is fully thawed and drained VERY WELL. You don't want the access liquid in the salad.
You can even use canned corn in a pinch.
What to serve with Easy Crack Corn Salad?
- Best Chorizo Tacos
- Chipotle Carne Asada Recipe
- Best Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
- Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- The Ultimate Pork Burger
Easy Crack Corn Salad
Equipment
- 1 sharp knife
Ingredients
Corn Salad
- 5 slices thick cut bacon cooked then small dice
- 4 ears corn on the cob raw, cut off the cob
- ½ cup green onion thinly sliced, green part only
- ½ cup cilantro chopped, measured before chopping
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt I use Diamond Crystal. Use ¾ teaspoon if using Morton's Kosher Salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 fresh jalapeno cut in half then thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon cotija cheese
- 1 avocado small dice
- 1 teaspoon lime juice fresh squeezed
Creamy Lime Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup mayo I use Hellman's
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp chipotle chile powder
- 1½ tablespoon lime juice fresh squeezed
- zest of half a lime
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
Making the Corn Salad
- Fry the bacon in a large skillet to desired doneness then drain bacon strips on a paper towel
- Add the corn, green onion, cilantro, salt, pepper, jalapeno and cotija cheese to a large mixing bowl
- In a small bowl mix the avocado with 1 teaspoon of lime juice and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat then add the avocado to the corn mixture
- Cut the bacon to a small dice then add it to the corn mixture and mix well
Making the Creamy Lime Dressing
- Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and mix until thoroughly combined
- Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and stir to combine. Let the corn salad sit for at least 4 hours and up to 1 day ahead of serving for the flavors to meld
Notes
- Let the Crack Corn Salad sit for at least 4 hours so the flavors have time to blend. I think it's even more delicious the next day so feel free to make it a day ahead of time!
- If you want to make Easy Crack Corn Salad and it's not sweet corn season then you can use frozen corn. Make sure you thaw and drain it THOUROUGHLY.
- Leave the jalapenos out if you don't like spicy food. It's still delicious without them.
- Don't skip coating your avocado pieces in lime and salt before adding them to the salad. It will help them from turning brown and enhances the flavor.
- This can be eaten on its own as a side dish or you can eat it with tortilla chips as an appetizer!
Leave a star rating and review, ask a question or share a helpful tip!