Ready to meet your new favorite summer salsa? Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa is a naturally gluten-free sweet and spicy dip or relish you’ll want to make all summer long.
There are certain fruits and vegetables that always stand out as seasonal super stars. We can barely wait to see them again. Their flavors captivate our palates and spotting them at the store or Farmer’s Market feels like the party has started! Sweet corn is one such coveted vegetable and I’m celebrating it today with Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa.
There are a few of summer’s prized edibles that Colorado is known for. Peaches from our Western Slope and sweet corn. The kind of corn that tastes like candy even before it’s cooked. There are several varieties and I look forward to a good summer taste test every year.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy summer corn is to grill it. There are many ways to grill corn but I love the results when boiling it briefly then putting it on a piping hot grill to rotate it for just a few minutes, causing blistering kernels to deliver all the sweetness the corn has to offer. I use the same method in my Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) recipe which is a summer favorite in our house.
If it’s possible to be annoyed with a delicious ear of corn on the cob, it would undoubtedly be when trying to free the kernels from the cob for a recipe like Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa. Kitchen knives have to be uber sharp and still risk bodily harm or taking chunks of the cob along with the plump kernels.
A few years ago a friend gave me a life-changing gadget for this very purpose: a corn zipper. Candidly before trying it, I discounted it as a niche device that probably was not nearly as useful as it was cracked up to be. Was I ever wrong. One swipe of the zipper down the corn cob and full kernels drop to the plate with no effort whatsoever. It’s made me much more adventurous when making summer recipes for corn off the cob and has been elevated to my top 5 ‘must have’ kitchen tools!
The Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa not only screams summer with its sweet flavor from the corn but it is a wonderful chance to use an assortment of ripe heirloom tomatoes too. I love to add a mixed cup to play up the color along with all the traditional ingredients of a regular salsa for a sweet and spicy summer dip.
Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa Recipe
Grilled sweet corn is both sweet and salty making a perfect ingredient for this spicy salsa.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt plus more to season at the end
- 4 ears Sweet Corn Husked, scrubbed to remove the silks
- 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 cup Chopped Fresh Tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Chopped Red Onion
- 1 small Ripe Avocado Peeled, pitted and chopped
- 2 tablespoons Minced Fresh Cilantro
- 1 Serrano Pepper Stem and seeds removed, diced
- 1 Jalapeño Stem and seeds removed, diced
- juice from one Lime
Instructions
- Fill a large pot of water, add 2 teaspoons of salt and bring to a rolling boil. While the water is heating, heat the grill to 400°F. When it reaches 400°F, clean and oil the grill.
- Place the corn into the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Remove with tongs, allow excess water to drain back into the pot and pat with paper towels to dry.
- Lightly brush the corn with the olive oil and place on the grill, turning every 30 seconds to a minute, allowing browned spots to form. Total grilling time will be 2-3 minutes. Remove corn from the grill and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove the corn kernels from the cob with a sharp knife and place into a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the tomatoes, red onion, avocado, cilantro, serrano, jalapeño, and lime juice, and toss to combine. May be served immediately or covered and refrigerated for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend. Salt to taste prior to serving.
This Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa Recipe is a contribution to Food Fanatic in my role as as the Naturally Gluten-Free Fanatic.
Shelby says
I need a corn zipper! I’ve been grilling corn often this summer, I love it! This looks absolutely delish!
Toni Dash says
You do, Shelby, trust me! I normally shy away from gadgets but this one is s life changer. It cuts the kernels off the cob without any of the cob and gets the full kernel and is effortless to use. I really can’t remember what it was like before using one. The kernels come off in seconds with no effort.
Susan says
This sounds like great salsa. My husband wouldn’t go for the avocado, and I’d opt out of the Serrano pepper – both of us can only take so much chile pepper heat. I like the idea of the corn zipper, too. I’m sure I could find room for one in my kitchen.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds so amazing! Grilling the corn gives it such a wonderful, smoky flavor. That really adds something to this salsa. Thanks for sharing it!
Lois Alter Mark says
Wow that looks so pretty and fresh! I love anything with corn in it!
Kita Bryant says
You can never go wrong with some sweet corn especially in salsa. This seriously looks delicious!
Pam says
I have fallen in love with grilled corn this summer. This sounds like a really yummy recipe to use it in.
Renz says
This looks amazing. Def need to get me a corn zipper now..
Toni Dash says
You’ll be so happy you did!
Monica says
Another amazing recipe from you! And I adore the bring and colorful display. 🙂
Toni Dash says
Awe! Thank you Monica! I’m so glad you like it. I too love all the colors! Feels like summer.
Debra says
I love roasting corn during the summer on the grill. It adds such a sweetness and smokiness to the corn. This looks like a great salsa to either dip or smother over grilled chicken or steak.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have never had corn salsa, but I do love corn on the cob. I think this would make a great summer side dish.
Lindsey Paris says
Those big hunks of avocado are what I like to see, too. This is perfect for a porch snack.
Rebecca Bryant says
Oh my word I am in love with this recipe. Huge fan of grilled corn. I am making me this weekend for sure.
Toni Dash says
I hope you’ll love it!
Jeanine says
That looks so delicious and refreshing. Would love to have a night light snack like this in this heat we are having. This is seriously looking amazing!
Val says
Seems like an easy enough recipe to make, glad you shared this. I will have to try to make this grilled sweet corn salsa sometime when I have guests over.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
Oh my goodness…all of my favorite foods in one bowl of salsa-y goodness! I guess I need to get a corn zipper!
Liz Mays says
Oh this looks great! I would love to have some of this as a side for one of our meals! I love the avocado!
Claudia Krusch says
Your recipe sounds sooooo good! I can’t wait to make it with my ribs next weekend!
Dawn McAlexander says
Oh my! This looks so good and would be a perfect recipe for summer cookouts! Yum!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
I love the flavors and colors incorporated into this recipe. I love anything with grilled corn!
Mary Edwards says
This looks so delicious. Fresh, healthy, and oh so good to top my fave burrito bowl recipe.
Joyce Brewer (@MommyTalkShow) says
I love everything about this salsa – except the avocado. I have a texture issue.
Stefanie says
I have got to try this! I have made a few different salsas this summer but the fresh corn in this recipe sounds amazing.
Milena says
Oh, I think my kids would love this salsa! I only grill corn and eat it-LOL! This would be a treat!
Nikki Wayne says
This is so new to me, I never know that you can make a corn salsa! I am so excited to try this!
Amanda Love says
Corn is a hit at home as well, the kids and the hubby can’t get enough of them and so, I always make sure I have enough corn recipes to go around during the summer. This is awesome, it’s perfect for movie nights as well!
Meagen Brosius says
I love making recipes like this. There are so many pretty colors and fresh ingredients. It’s the perfect dish for summer!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This looks great!
We were just talking about grilling corn on the cob last night!
Lori Lanham says
I printed this recipe out – it looks SOOOOO good! I love grilled corn in just about anything!
Toni Dash says
Oh good! It really is fantastic! The best of summer. Let me know what you thin when you make it.
Colleen Lanin says
I love fresh corn. This recipe looks divine!
Dawn McAlexander says
You are speaking my language! I love me some corn salsa. This recipe looks absolutely fabulous. I will be trying it soon.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
This is totally going to be a new favorite! I love grilled corn in the summer!
Nicole Escat says
Oh, looks really yummy! My son loves grilled corn on the cob, he will surely love this recipe.
Tracey says
This looks amazing and so fresh for summer. I’ll be pinning this for later.