Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad with Zesty Cilantro Lime Dressing
A vibrant summer salad featuring fresh corn, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy cilantro lime dressing that brings bright, refreshing flavors together in just 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes (optional grilling)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn, husked (about 3 cups kernels)
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- Juice of 2 limes (about 3 tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Shuck the corn and slice kernels off the cob using a sharp knife. Optionally, grill the ears on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, then slice kernels off for smoky flavor.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and finely dice the red onion. Soak the onion in cold water for 10 minutes if you want to mellow the bite, then drain well.
- Rinse and pat dry the cilantro leaves, then chop finely, avoiding thick stems.
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- In a large bowl, gently toss together corn kernels, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss lightly but thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Let the salad rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Give the salad a final stir and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Notes
Grilling the corn adds a subtle smoky sweetness but is optional. Soaking red onion in cold water mellows its sharpness. Letting the salad rest for 10 minutes enhances flavor melding. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Toss avocado in just before serving to prevent browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: corn salad, tomato salad, cilantro lime dressing, summer salad, fresh salad, easy salad, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan option