Ina Garten’s Joyful Confetti Corn Salad Recipe – Summer Magic

Confetti corn salad bursts with unexpected flavor combinations that transform an ordinary side dish into a celebration of texture and color.

Summer’s bounty arrives in this delightful preparation that tingles taste buds with fresh, garden-inspired vibrancy.

Crisp kernels dance alongside colorful vegetable companions, creating a visual feast that matches its delectable profile.

Simple ingredients merge effortlessly, producing a dish that feels both rustic and sophisticated.

Each forkful promises a delightful medley of sweet, savory, and herbaceous notes that complement any main course.

The recipe welcomes spontaneity, encouraging home cooks to play with seasonings and personal preferences.

Bright, zesty, and impossibly simple, this salad transforms ordinary ingredients into something truly memorable: your next crowd-pleasing side dish.

What Makes Confetti Corn Salad So Fun

• Bursting with Vibrant Freshness: This corn salad delivers a colorful explosion of garden-fresh vegetables that dance together with bright, crisp flavors and a delightful mix of textures.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: The recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious side dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with sweet corn and colorful bell peppers, this dish works beautifully as a summer side, picnic option, or casual gathering accompaniment that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Simple Seasonal Celebration: The method of gently sautéing vegetables preserves their natural sweetness and creates a light, tender dish that highlights the best of fresh summer produce with minimal cooking skills required.

Ingredients Breakdown for Confetti Corn Salad

• Corn: Fresh, sweet corn provides the main texture and flavor of the salad.
• Onion: Adds a subtle, sharp flavor and aromatic base to the dish.
• Bell Pepper: Brings color, crunch, and a mild sweet taste to the corn mixture.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and bringing out the natural flavors of the vegetables.
• Basil: Fresh herb that adds a bright, aromatic note to the corn salad.

• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth cooking base and helps prevent sticking.
• Butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the corn mixture.

Ina’s Confetti Corn Salad Made Easy

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium warmth. Sauté diced onions, allowing them to soften and become translucent for about 5 minutes. Add vibrant bell peppers and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes, creating a fragrant foundation for the salad.

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Bell pepper

Step 2: Transform Corn Into Creamy Delight

• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir occasionally and cook for 5-7 minutes until corn becomes tender and loses its raw starchiness.

Step 3: Elevate With Herbal Freshness

• Basil
• Parsley
• Chives (optional)

Give the salad a final gentle stir to distribute herbs evenly. Serve immediately while warm for maximum flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestion: This versatile side dish pairs wonderfully with grilled proteins or can stand alone as a light vegetarian option. Best enjoyed fresh and warm, capturing the vibrant essence of seasonal produce.

Advice for Confetti Corn Salad Success

• Maximize Corn Sweetness: Select bright yellow or white corn at peak season for the most vibrant, sweet flavor in your salad.
• Quick Corn Cutting Hack: Place a small bowl upside down inside a large bowl to stabilize the corn cob while cutting, catching kernels cleanly and preventing messy counters.
• Enhance Flavor Balance: Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow herbs and dressing to meld together, creating deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Chill for Better Texture: Refrigerate the salad for an hour before serving to let ingredients marinate and develop richer, more harmonious flavors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance for potlucks, picnics, or weekday lunches.

Keeping Your Corn Salad Crisp and Sweet

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove air and lock in flavors. Wrap the corn salad tightly in vacuum-seal bags, press out excess air, and seal completely. This method prevents freezer burn and maintains the crisp texture of vegetables for up to 2 weeks.
• Mason Jar Layering: Create a strategic storage approach by carefully layering ingredients from heaviest to lightest. Place denser ingredients like corn and chopped vegetables at the bottom, then top with lighter components like herbs. Seal the jar tightly and store in the refrigerator, keeping ingredients separate and preventing soggy textures.
• Glass Container Technique: Choose rectangular glass containers with tight-fitting lids for optimal storage. Position the salad carefully to minimize air exposure, which can cause rapid deterioration.

Confetti Corn Salad, But with a Twist

• Summer Fresh Corn Sauté: Replace bell peppers with diced zucchini for a lighter vegetable profile and add a sprinkle of feta cheese for creamy Mediterranean flair.
• Spicy Southwest Corn Medley: Incorporate diced jalapeños, chili powder, and cilantro to create a zesty version with bold southwestern flavors and a subtle kick.
• Herb Garden Corn Blend: Experiment with fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley instead of basil to highlight different herbal notes and create a more complex aromatic experience.
• Smoky Bacon Corn Skillet: Crisp chopped bacon before cooking vegetables, then use bacon fat for sautéing to add rich, smoky undertones and provide an extra layer of savory depth.

Recap of the Confetti Corn Salad Guide

Ina Garten’s Confetti Corn Salad emerges as summer’s most delightful side dish, blending colorful ingredients with classic culinary expertise.

Garden-fresh corn dances alongside sweet peppers and aromatic herbs, creating Mediterranean-inspired magic on each plate.

Seasonal bounty sparkles through simple techniques that elevate humble ingredients into memorable cuisine.

California kitchens and summer barbecues will adore this quick, elegant recipe that celebrates fresh produce with minimal effort.

Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, this salad promises delicious moments shared with cherished companions.

Culinary adventurers and home chefs, savor this sensational dish – snap a photo, share your dish, spread deliciousness across social platforms, and let flavor tell its own remarkable story!

Ina Garten Confetti Corn Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Confetti Corn Salad brings summer’s colorful bounty to your table with a playful medley of fresh corn, peppers, and herbs. Mixed with tangy shallots and creamy mayonnaise, this delightful side dish promises to elevate any meal with its garden-fresh charm.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 5 ears yellow or white corn (4 cups kernels)
• ½ cup chopped red onion
• 1 small orange bell pepper, ½-inch diced

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Fats and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Warm extra virgin olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a fragrant base for the vegetable medley.
2. Sauté finely chopped onions until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 4 to 5 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
3. Introduce diced bell peppers to the pan, stirring continuously to ensure even cooking and prevent burning, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Incorporate unsalted butter, allowing it to melt completely and coat the vegetables with a rich, creamy texture.
5. Add fresh or frozen corn kernels, seasoning generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
6. Simmer the mixture for 6 to 8 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking, until corn reaches a tender, slightly caramelized state.
7. Taste and refine the seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper as needed to balance the dish’s overall flavor profile.
8. Gently fold in freshly chopped basil or your preferred herb blend, distributing the aromatic elements evenly throughout the vegetable mixture.
9. Transfer to a serving dish and present immediately while the corn remains warm and vibrant.

Notes

• Grab ripe, sweet corn to maximize the natural sugars and delicious summer flavor.
• Medium heat is crucial when sautéing onions to develop a golden, soft texture without scorching.
• Experiment with herb combinations like fresh basil and chives for a personalized taste profile.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving to help flavors meld and settle, enhancing overall taste.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 205
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg