The Refreshing Barefoot Contessa Fresh Corn Salad Recipe for Summer

Barefoot Contessa fresh corn salad bursts with summer’s vibrant essence, transforming humble ingredients into a culinary celebration.

Sweet kernels dance alongside crisp vegetables, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Each bite promises a refreshing experience that captures the season’s bounty.

Garden-fresh produce mingles with zesty seasonings, elevating a simple dish into something extraordinary.

Minimal preparation unlocks maximum taste, making this recipe a go-to for casual gatherings or quiet meals.

Home cooks adore its simplicity and adaptability, allowing personal creativity to shine through.

The result promises a delightful side that complements any main course: dive in and savor!

Delight in the Freshness of Fresh Corn Salad

• Burst with Fresh Summer Flavors: This corn salad captures the essence of seasonal produce with sweet, juicy corn kernels dancing alongside sharp red onions and bright basil, creating a vibrant taste explosion that screams summer on a plate.
• Effortlessly Simple Preparation: Requiring just a few basic steps and minimal cooking time, this recipe transforms fresh corn into a delightful side dish that even novice cooks can master with confidence and ease.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Dish: Perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or as a quick weeknight side, this salad adapts beautifully to different occasions and complements grilled meats, fish, or can stand alone as a light, refreshing meal.
• No-Fuss Healthy Eating: Packed with natural ingredients and minimal processing, this corn salad offers a nutritious option that doesn't compromise on flavor, delivering a wholesome dish that feels both indulgent and guilt-free.

Key Ingredients for Fresh Corn Salad

• Corn: Sweet summer corn with crisp kernels, best when fresh and in-season from local farmers markets or farm stands.
• Red Onion: Sharp and tangy onion that adds a zesty crunch to the salad's overall flavor profile.

• Cider Vinegar, Olive Oil: Bright acidic dressing that helps balance and unite the corn and onion with a smooth, rich undertone.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate and highlight the natural sweetness of the corn.

• Fresh Basil: Fragrant herb that brings a light, aromatic summer freshness to the salad, complementing the corn's natural sweetness.

Easy Steps for Fresh Corn Salad

Step 1: Boil Water and Cook Corn

• Fill a large pot with water
• Add a generous pinch of salt
• Bring water to a rolling boil
• Carefully drop corn into boiling water
• Cook for 3 minutes until kernels are tender and bright
• Immediately drain corn
• Plunge corn into ice water bath to halt cooking process

Step 2: Slice Corn Kernels

• Let corn cool completely
• Place corn vertically on cutting board
• Use sharp knife to slice downward, removing kernels from cob
• Collect kernels in a spacious mixing bowl
• Gently separate any clustered kernels

Step 3: Prepare Fresh Dressing

• Red onion
• Cider vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Finely dice red onion

Whisk vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in small bowl until well combined

Step 4: Combine Salad Components

• Pour dressing over corn kernels
• Add chopped red onion
• Toss ingredients gently to ensure even coating
• Let salad rest for 10 minutes to develop flavors

Step 5: Finish with Fresh Herbs

• Chop fresh basil leaves
• Sprinkle basil over salad
• Give final gentle toss
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed
• Serve chilled or at room temperature

Pro Hints for Fresh Corn Salad

• Harvest Peak Corn: Select locally grown, in-season corn for maximum sweetness and crispness, ideally picked within a day of preparation.
• Chill Like a Pro: Plunge boiled corn into ice water immediately to lock in color, texture, and prevent overcooking, creating a refreshing crunch.
• Master Basil Cutting: Gently stack, roll, and slice basil leaves into delicate ribbons, releasing intense aromatic oils and distributing flavor evenly.
• Vinegar Harmony: Taste and adjust cider vinegar gradually, creating a balanced dressing that brightens the corn's natural sweetness without overwhelming.
• Last-Minute Magic: Sprinkle salt and torn basil just before serving to maintain vibrant flavors and prevent herb wilting, ensuring peak freshness.

Smart Storage for Fresh Corn Salad

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in peak flavor and crispness by using a vacuum sealer. Extract air completely from the container to prevent moisture buildup and slow down bacterial growth, keeping corn salad fresh for up to 4 days.
• Ice Bath Cooling Technique: Rapidly chill the corn salad before storing to maintain its vibrant texture and prevent wilting. Place the serving bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water for 10-15 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator, which helps preserve the corn's natural sweetness and crunch.
• Herb Preservation Hack: Separate fresh herbs like basil or chives from the salad before refrigerating to prevent them from becoming soggy. Store herbs in a small sealed container with a slightly damp paper towel, then sprinkle them over the corn salad just before serving to maintain maximum flavor and visual appeal.

Creative Variations on Fresh Corn Salad

• Summer Garden Corn Fiesta: Enhance the salad by adding diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and chopped cilantro for a vibrant, colorful Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Corn Salad: Replace basil with chopped fresh oregano and mint, mix in crumbled feta cheese, and drizzle with lemon juice for a Greek-style interpretation.
• Spicy Southwest Corn Blend: Incorporate diced jalapeños, grilled poblano peppers, black beans, and a touch of cumin to create a zesty, warm-weather side dish with a kick.
• Creamy Corn Fusion: Stir in a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, sprinkle with chives, and add crispy bacon bits for a rich, indulgent take on the classic recipe.

Parting Thoughts on Fresh Corn Salad

Barefoot Contessa’s Fresh Corn Salad delivers summer’s quintessential flavor profile with remarkable simplicity.

Garden-fresh ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, creating a sensational side dish that celebrates seasonal produce.

Sweet corn kernels mingle with sharp red onion, while fragrant basil adds unexpected depth to each remarkable bite.

Cider vinegar provides a tangy backbone that elevates this classic recipe beyond ordinary expectations.

Chilled or served at room temperature, this salad promises to become your new warm-weather favorite.

Summer memories sparkle through each colorful forkful – so savor this culinary gem, share its delightful recipe with friends, comment on its exceptional taste, and spread pure deliciousness far and wide.

Barefoot Contessa Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Fresh Corn Salad celebrates summer’s sweetest harvest with crisp corn kernels dancing alongside red onions and fresh basil. Zesty lemon dressing and creamy feta cheese elevate this simple side dish, inviting you to savor the pure essence of seasonal ingredients.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 5 ears corn, shucked
• 75 grams (½ cup) small-diced red onion (1 small onion)

Fresh Herbs:

• 10 grams (½ cup loosely packed) fresh basil, chiffonade

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bring a spacious pot filled with generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Carefully submerge the fresh corn ears and allow them to simmer for precisely 3 minutes until they reach a crisp-tender consistency.
2. Immediately drain the corn and plunge into an ice bath to halt the cooking process and maintain its vibrant color and crispness.
3. Once the corn has completely cooled, position an ear vertically on a cutting board and use a sharp chef’s knife to expertly slice the kernels away from the cob, angling the blade to capture maximum kernel content.
4. Transfer the liberated corn kernels into a generous mixing bowl, creating a bright foundation for the salad.
5. Finely dice the red onion into delicate, uniform pieces to ensure balanced flavor distribution throughout the dish.
6. Drizzle cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil over the corn and onion mixture, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the ingredients’ natural flavors.
7. Gently toss all components until thoroughly combined, allowing the vinaigrette to coat each kernel evenly.
8. Moments before serving, chop fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them across the salad, providing a fragrant herbal note.
9. Perform a final taste test, adjusting seasonings as needed to achieve a harmonious flavor profile. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Chill corn quickly after boiling to lock in its vibrant texture and prevent overcooking, ensuring a crisp and bright salad.
• Select the sweetest summer corn from local farmers’ markets or roadside stands for maximum flavor and freshness.
• Slice basil leaves using a delicate chiffonade technique to release their aromatic oils and distribute them evenly throughout the salad.
• Customize the vinegar’s tanginess by tasting and adjusting the amount, allowing the acid to enhance the corn’s natural sweetness.
• Sprinkle salt and scatter fresh basil at the last moment to preserve their bold, just-picked essence and prevent wilting.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 239
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 22mg
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 1.8g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg