Charred Corn Salsa -

Name: Charred Corn Salsa
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 ears of corn (husks removed ); 2 tablespoons oil; 2 tomatoes (finely diced); 1 lime juice; ¼ cup cilantro (finely chopped); ½ jalapeño (chopped (use less for less spice)); ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt

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This charred corn salsa recipe will bring new vibes to your table. A combination of charred corn, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and spices will make you sense the salty, sweet, tangy, spicy, smoky, fresh flavor in addition to a juicy and crunchy texture, all at the same time! Give this corn salsa a try.

Burst with Flavors

a bowl of charred corn salsa made up of a combination of charred corn, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and spices and served with lemon wedges on the top

My Skillet Charred Corn – Blackened Corn recipe will show you more details on how to char corn kernels until they are crispy and slightly blackened, giving them a nice smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes.

Why You Will Love Charred Corn Salsa

So yummy! It is the perfect way to describe how delicious this corn salsa recipe is, not to mention the contrasting decorated textures.

Effortless and easy to make with simple steps, this charred sweetcorn salsa needs no longer than 20 minutes of your precious time.

A Healthy Recipe made with healthy ingredients: corn, olive oil, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, and spices.

This salsa is so versatile! You have no limits with your favorite add-ins, try it with red onion, red bell pepper, mango, avocado, etc.

Since fresh corn is a summer vegetable, you may think that you can enjoy making this recipe only during summer. However, the good news is that you can also enjoy this salsa recipe by using canned or frozen corn kernels.

You will like that you can make charred corn salsa with tomatoes recipe ahead of time, and then enjoy it at lunch or dinner with your loved ones.

Ingredients

To make the fresh corn salsa with tomato recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

Ears of corn: I use fresh sweet corn ears with husks removed to make the blackened corn salsa recipe.

Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil to char the corn.

Tomatoes: Add finely diced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or even Roma tomatoes.

Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is the essential ingredient to get zesty flavors.

Cilantro: Finely chopped fresh cilantro gives an authentic fresh flavor to your salsa.

Jalapeño: Adding chopped jalapeño will give a kick to the corn salsa with tomatoes. Adjust the quantity of jalapeño according to the heat level you prefer.

Spices: I add black pepper to this salsa recipe. You can also add other spices according to your preferences.

Salt: The eternal love of corn is salt, add it according to taste.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Steps to Prep

First, on a cutting board, cut the corn kernels off the cob using a sharp knife.

Next, heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium-high heat.

Then, add corn kernels to the skillet and cook for 7-10 minutes on the stovetop until the corn begins to char.

After that, in a mixing bowl, combine the charred corn, tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeños by gently folding them together. Make sure that all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Finally, season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

Your Go-to-Summer Salsa

a bowl of blackened corn salsa made up of a combination of charred corn, tomatoes, and fresh cilantro, and served with lemon wedges on the top

Variations

Other veggies: As mentioned above, this salsa is so versatile. That’s why you can add slices of red onion, red bell pepper, mango, avocado, canned black beans, etc.

Cheesy flavor: For a creamy cheesy, saltiness taste, try to add crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco to the corn salsa.

Seasoning: You can add other spices to the corn and tomato salsa like ground cumin and smoked paprika.

Garlicky flavor: If you are a fan of garlicky flavor, then add garlic powder. You can also add finely minced garlic cloves.

Serving Suggestions

Guarantee a good mood by enjoying good food! There are many delicious ways to enjoy charred sweet corn salsa.

A large bowl of charred corn salsa with tomatoes is a fun appetizer to enjoy during friends’ parties and picnics with tortilla chips.

Plenty of great recipes go well with fresh corn salsa with tomato. Pair it with tacos like fish tacos and enjoy the yummy combination.

This salsa is so good for summer outdoor grill gatherings. Try it with Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Vegetables.

Blackened corn salsa will be a delectable side dish with salmon recipes like 10 Minutes Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon and Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer and fillet recipes like Pan Fried Lemon Butter Tilapia and Easy Barramundi with Lemon Butter Sauce.

A medium bowl of fresh corn salsa will be perfect with chicken recipes like a chicken burrito bowl, Air Fryer Bone in Chicken Thighs- So Crispy, Easy 60 Minutes Crispy Air Fryer Rotisserie-Style Chicken, Crispy keto Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Air fryer Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks, etc.

Pin it for Later

a plate of corn salsa with tomatoes served with lime wedges on the top

Top Tips

For the best flavor, use fresh corn. If you can, buy it from a local farmer’s market or grocery store that sources it locally.

For a zestier flavor, add lime zest to the corn and tomato salsa.

If using canned sweet corn, make sure to rinse the kernels and drain them first before charring them in a hot pan on medium heat.

If using frozen corn kernels, do not thaw them before the charring process in a griddle pan. Take into consideration that frozen corn kernels will take a few extra minutes to char.

For a zestier flavor, add lime zest to the corn and tomato salsa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the charred sweetcorn salsa recipe using frozen corn or canned corn?

Absolutely! To make the charred sweetcorn salsa recipe, you can substitute fresh sweet corn with canned or frozen corn.

Can I make this recipe without charring the corn kernels?

If you are in a hurry, you can make this corn salsa recipe with raw corn kernels. However, you will not get the sweet and juicy but complex and smoky flavor without charring the corn kernels.

What is the best way to cut the corn off the cob?

The easiest way to cut corn off the cob is to stand it upright on the chopping board and slice it down with a sharp knife slightly angled in so you get all the kernels.

A Colorful Piece of Art

a bowl of charred corn, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, chopped jalapeño, and a lime wedge

Equipment

You will need a cast iron skillet to char the corn kernels in this recipe.

Storage

Store corn salsa with tomatoes leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.

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