Creamy Corn Salad Jalapeño (Print)

Sweet corn and fresh vegetables coated in a creamy, tangy dressing with a hint of jalapeño.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups fresh corn kernels, or frozen and thawed
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
06 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - If using fresh corn, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add corn kernels and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Drain and allow to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Pour dressing over vegetable mixture and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor development, or serve immediately.
06 - Garnish with additional fresh cilantro before serving if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for when you have friends coming over and forgot to plan ahead.
  • The jalapeño gives just enough kick to make people ask what you did differently, without burning anyone's mouth.
  • It tastes even better the next day, so you can actually make it in advance without guilt.
02 -
  • If you oversalt the dressing before adding the vegetables, you can't undo it, so go light initially and adjust after everything is mixed.
  • The salad actually gets better overnight because the corn softens slightly and absorbs all the flavors, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for gatherings.
03 -
  • If you add cheese or extra vegetables, wait until just before serving to toss them in so they don't get soggy from sitting in the dressing overnight.
  • The dressing is creamy but not heavy because of the lime juice and sour cream balance—don't skip either one or the whole thing tastes one-dimensional.
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