Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Total: 20 mins Yields: 6

Looking for a delightful and refreshing summer salad? Bursting with the flavors of fresh corn, tangy red onion, and fragrant basil, this Ina Garten’s Corn Salad is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a light and flavorful meal, corn salad is the perfect choice
What’s the Summer corn salad recipe?
Ina Garten’s Corn Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that highlights the natural sweetness of corn. The kernels are blanched to perfection, maintaining a delightful crunch while removing any starchiness. Tossed with diced red onion, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh basil, this salad is a harmonious blend of flavors. The combination of tangy and savory notes beautifully complements the sweet corn, creating a medley of tastes that will leave your taste buds craving for more.
Why you’ll love it
- Fresh and Vibrant: The star ingredient, corn, brings a burst of freshness to the salad, making it an ideal choice for summer gatherings.
- Simple Preparation: With just a few readily available ingredients and minimal cooking time, this recipe is both accessible and convenient.
- Versatile and Adaptable: You can easily customize the salad by adding your favorite ingredients like diced tomatoes, avocado, or even grilled shrimp.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of red onion, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil creates a nice blend making it a perfect side for any dish.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Corn is a great source of fiber and essential nutrients, making this salad a healthy addition to your meal.

Ina Garten corn salad recipe
Ingredients
- Corn – 5 ears or 4 cups/700g corn kernels
- Red onion – 1/2 cup small diced red onion
- Cider vinegar – 3 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 3 tablespoons
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
- Freshly ground black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon
- Fresh basil leaves – 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Remove the husks and silk of the corn cobs.
- Boil the corn n a large pot of salted water for approximately 3 minutes, until the corn is no longer starchy.
- Drain the corn and then immediately immerse it in a bowl filled with ice water. This will help preserve its vibrant color and stop the cooking process.
- Set aside to cool down.
- Cut the kernels off the cobs. Cut as close to the cob as possible to get the whole kernels.
- Combine the corn kernels with the diced red onion, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Toss everything together to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves on top of the corn mixture. The basil will add a delightful aroma and flavor to the salad.
- Serve the corn salad chilled or at room temperature and enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors!
Tips
- To enhance the flavors, consider grilling the corn before cutting off the kernels.
- For an extra kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes.
- Make sure the corn is fresh for the best taste and texture.
- Adjust the amount of vinegar and olive oil to suit your personal preference.
Variations
- Add diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for a burst of juicy sweetness.
- Incorporate diced avocado for a creamy and luscious texture.
- Experiment with different herbs like cilantro or mint to add a unique twist.
- For a heartier meal, mix in cooked quinoa or black beans.
How to serve this corn salad?
This Corn Salad is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:
- As a side dish alongside grilled chicken, steak, or seafood.
- As a topping for tacos or quesadillas, add a refreshing element to your Mexican-inspired dishes.
- As a filling for wraps or sandwiches, providing a delicious and nutritious option for your lunchtime meals.
- As a standalone salad for a light and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Give Ina Garten’s Corn Salad recipe a try, and indulge in a delightful dish that celebrates the vibrant flavors of summer!
You might like more…
Our popular salads:
- Nando’s Macho Peas: A simple but very wonderful creation by Nandos for minted peas.
- Tricolore Salad: This salad with strawberries in balsamic vinegar, prepared with lamb’s lettuce, rocket, and parmesan flakes is a tasty alternative to the usual salads
- Potato Salad with Salmon and Prawns: This is a special potato salad with seafood that can be eaten as a main dish. If you prefer you can also replace the potatoes with pasta for a refreshing summer pasta meal
- Italian Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes: Similar to the tricolore salad it’s also colored with the colors of the Italian flag and features lean and healthy buffalo mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
- Redskin Potato Salad: A nutritious salad with eggs, onions, and bacon strips perfect for summer gatherings and backyard barbecues.
Ina Garten Corn Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- Corn – 5 ears or 4 cups/700g corn kernels
- Red onion – 1/2 cup small diced red onion
- Cider vinegar – 3 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 3 tablespoons
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
- Freshly ground black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon
- Fresh basil leaves – 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Remove the husks and silk of the corn cobs.
- Boil the corn n a large pot of salted water for approximately 3 minutes, until the corn is no longer starchy.
- Drain the corn and then immediately immerse it in a bowl filled with ice water. This will help preserve its vibrant color and stop the cooking process.
- Set aside to cool down.
- Cut the kernels off the cobs. Cut as close to the cob as possible to get the whole kernels.
- Combine the corn kernels with the diced red onion, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Toss everything together to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves on top of the corn mixture. The basil will add a delightful aroma and flavor to the salad.
- Serve the corn salad chilled or at room temperature and enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors!
Notes
- To enhance the flavors, consider grilling the corn before cutting off the kernels.
- For an extra kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes.
- Make sure the corn is fresh for the best taste and texture.
- Adjust the amount of vinegar and olive oil to suit your personal preference.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Sides
- Method: Boiling