This corn salsa is fresh corn kernels combined with lime juice, cilantro, red onion and two types of peppers to make a light and refreshing dip. Serve your salsa with chips or use as a topping for grilled chicken or fish, then watch the rave reviews come in!

I love good homemade salsa appetizer recipes including black bean and corn salsa, zesty salsa verde, sweet and savory peach salsa, tropical pineapple salsa and this fresh and summery corn salsa.

A bowl of corn salsa surrounded by tortilla chips.

Tomato salsa is delicious and all, but have you ever tried corn salsa? If you haven’t tasted it yet, you’re in for a treat. The sweetness of the corn pairs perfectly with the veggies and lime juice. Best of all, this dip takes just minutes to put together.

Corn Salsa Ingredients

Ingredients including corn on the cob, peppers and onions.

The ingredients in this recipe include sweet corn, red onion, jalapeno, red bell peppers, fresh cilantro, lime juice and salt.

How Do You Make Corn Salsa?

Start by shucking fresh ears of corn, then cooking them on the grill until they’re tender and a bit charred. Cut the kernels off the cob, then let the corn cool. Place the corn kernels in a bowl with red onion, jalapeno, red bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Toss everything together until well combined. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for later use.

Step by step shots showing how to grill corn and cut it off the cob.

Tips For The Perfect Dish

  • My favorite way to prepare this corn salsa recipe is with fresh grilled corn. That being said, I’ve also made it with steamed fresh corn and frozen corn kernels with great results. So if you don’t have access to a grill or fresh corn, just use a bag of frozen corn and you’ll be just fine. Be sure to thaw frozen corn before you use it.
  • I remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno which makes this a mild salsa. If you prefer a spicier dip, leave some of the seeds and ribs in the jalapeno.
  • Serve your corn salsa with tortilla chips, or spoon over grilled chicken thighs, grilled salmon, London broil or grilled tilapia. This also makes a great topping for pork tacos and burrito bowls. You can stuff it into burritos and stir it into a taco salad.
  • This salsa can be made up to 24 hours before you plan to serve it. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Quick Tip

Make sure to cut the onion and bell peppers into very small pieces so that they’re easy to pick up with chips.

A bowl of corn with peppers, onions, cilantro and salt.

Recipe FAQs

How long is corn salsa good for?

Leftover salsa will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container for best results.

What is corn salsa made of?

Corn salsa contains corn kernels, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and jalapeno. It can sometimes contain other ingredients too such as chipotle peppers, green onions, tomatoes or black beans.

Can you freeze corn salsa?

I don’t recommend freezing corn salsa, as it will be watery when thawed.

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Corn salsa on a plate with rice, beans and pork.

Flavor Variations

I love this dish as-is, but sometimes I add other ingredients depending on what I have on hand.

  • Vegetables: Stir in some diced tomatoes, grilled zucchini, avocado, green onions or cucumber for extra flavor. Instead of red bell peppers, try using poblano peppers, roasted green chilies or anaheim peppers. You can use white corn and swap the red bell peppers for poblanos if you’re looking to replicate Chipotle’s corn salsa.
  • Beans: Add 1 cup of drained and rinsed black beans to make more of a salad style dish. You may want to increase the amount of lime juice and cilantro if you go this route.
  • Flavorings: Stir in some spices such as coriander, ground cumin, smoked paprika or chili powder. You can also add some finely grated cotija cheese. Swap out the lime juice for lemon juice, or add a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangier dip.

You simply can’t go wrong with this salsa. Whether you’re serving it as a dip or as part of a main course, this one is a total crowd pleaser.

More Corn Recipes You’ll Love

Corn Salsa Video

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5 from 20 votes

Corn Salsa

AuthorSara Welch
A bowl of corn salsa surrounded by tortilla chips.
This corn salsa is fresh corn kernels combined with lime juice, cilantro, red onion and two types of peppers to make a light and refreshing dip. Serve your salsa with chips or use as a topping for grilled chicken or fish, then watch the rave reviews come in!
Time
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Total Time11 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Serves 6

Ingredients 

  • 5 ears fresh corn OR 3 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1/3 cup red onion minced
  • 2 tablespoons jalapeno seeds and ribs removed, then minced
  • 1 red bell pepper cored, seeded and finely diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • salt to taste

Instructions 

  • If using fresh corn, shuck the corn. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Place the corn on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until corn is tender and charred. Use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cob.
  • If you're using frozen corn, skip the grilling step.
  • Place the corn, red onion, jalapeno, red bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice and salt in a large bowl.
  • Stir gently to combine.
  • Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before serving.

Notes

  1. My favorite way to prepare this salsa is with fresh grilled corn. That being said, I’ve also made it with steamed fresh corn and thawed from frozen corn kernels with great results. So if you don’t have access to a grill or fresh corn, just use a bag of frozen corn and you’ll be just fine.
  2. I remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno which makes this a mild salsa. If you prefer a spicier dip, leave some of the seeds and ribs in the jalapeno.

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 818IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Hello! I’m Sara!

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5 from 20 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this last night to go with our bbq and had to come back to tell you how tasty it is. We all loved it!

  2. 5 stars
    I absolutely love this combination of flavours. It’s so summery, fresh, and light. We really enjoyed it.

  3. 5 stars
    This was such a great addition to dinner last night; my whole family loved it! Perfectly sweet and savory with the right amount kick! Easily, a new favorite salsa recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    What a good recipe! Served the salsa with a simple pan-fried chicken breast and it tasted amazing! Thanks for the recipe!

  5. 5 stars
    Delicious! I didn’t have any fresh corn since it’s January, so I used frozen. I wanted to test it out before a Super Bowl party we’re having. Everyone loved it. I just thawed and drained the frozen corn so there wouldn’t be extra moisture in it.