Fresh corn salad is a summertime delight.

Flash-frozen corn kernels and hothouse tomatoes and basil can deliver those super-craveable summer flavors year-round.

Here, learn how to make a fresh corn salad for a quick and easy side dish.

Southern Living Corn Salad in a bowl to serve with glasses of water beside

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Or use it all week as the base for lunches.

However you eat it, corn salad is a favorite any time of the year.

You’ll need:

How To Make Corn Salad

This corn salad is quick to make.

Southern Living Corn Salad fresh corn ready to cook

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The longest wait will be for the water to boil so you could cook the corn.

Here’s a brief recap of the recipe, but full instructions are below.

For an ideal presentation, top the corn salad with fresh basil just before serving.

Southern Living Corn Salad ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Do not freeze this corn salad.

Some of the ingredients will turn mushy once thawed.

More Summer Salad Recipes

Looking for more great ideas for side dishes?

Southern Living Corn Salad cooking the corn on the cob

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add corn and 1 Tbsp.

salt; cook 5 minutes.

Drain, rinse with cold water, and let sit until cool enough to handle.

Southern Living Corn Salad letting the drained corn sit until cool

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Repeat with remaining cobs.

Drain red onions:

Drain the red onion slices and pat dry.

Add the onions, tomato halves, mozzarella pieces, olive oil, lime juice, remaining 1/2 tsp.

Southern Living Corn Salad letting the onion slices soak in ice water

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

salt, and pepper to the corn; stir to combine.

Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and/or pepper if desired.

Add basil:

Just before serving, add the thinly sliced basil to the bowl.

Southern Living Corn Salad cutting the corn off of the cobs

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Toss again and serve immediately.

Just be sure to save the basil, and add it just before serving.

However, fresh summer corn is by far the best for flavor.

Southern Living Corn Salad all of the corn cut off of the cobs

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No, ingredients like onions and tomatoes will not thaw well.

They’ll turn mushy and water down the corn salad after it thaws.

This dish is best made and eaten fresh within a few days.

Southern Living Corn Salad draining the onion slices

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Corn Salad adding the rest of the salad ingredients to the corn

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Corn Salad adding the basil to the salad

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Corn Salad ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox