Fresh Corn Salsa

Key Ingredients in This Recipe 

• Corn – When buying ears of corn, look for a bright green husk that is tight around the corn. Feel the kernels through the husk, they should be plump. (I like to peel back a section of the husk to double check the kernels.) Look at the tassel (the strings at the top), it should be yellow or light brown – it should have a sweet smell.
• Onion – Finely diced red onion adds a sharp and pungent flavor that complements the sweet corn and peppers. If you prefer a more mild onion flavor, you can swap the red onion for yellow onions. 
• Peppers – A combination of both diced fresh jalapeño and roasted poblano pepper. The fresh jalapeño pepper adds the perfect level of spice while the poblano peppers add a smokiness. Poblanos are incredibly flavorful; they’re a great versatile pepper and are less spicy than jalapeños. The poblano can be omitted, but I love the flavor it adds with the additional step. 
• Cilantro – Cilantro adds a fresh element to the fresh corn salsa. If you are among those with the gene that makes it taste like soap it can be skipped. 
• Lime – Don’t skip the lime juice! The salsa needs the hit of acidity to balance the flavors. While Chipotle uses a combination of lemon and lime juice in their recipe, I prefer to just use lime juice. 

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe 

Swaps and substitutions 

• While I love using fresh sweet corn when it’s in season during summer, this recipe can also be made using frozen corn. Places like Chipotle use frozen sweet white corn. 
• The poblano pepper can be omitted, but I prefer adding it for the deeper, roasted flavor it provides. 
• Other ingredients like halved cherry tomatoes or cubed avocado can also be added.
• While I opt for fresh corn you can also grill or char the corn kernels in the salsa.

Tips for shucking corn 

• I recently learned it helps to microwave the ears of corn for 1 to 2 minutes before shucking them. It helps to easily remove the husks and any remaining silk. 
• Position the corn cobs on a bundt cake pan to easily cut the kernels off the cob so they can be caught in the pan. 

What to serve with corn salsa: 

• Tortilla chips 
• Chicken burrito bowls
• Steak tacos
• Southwest salad

Other Recipes to Try 

If you enjoy this fresh corn salsa recipe, give these a try: 

• Elote
• Corn ribs
• Coconut creamed corn