This roasted corn salsa is so perfect for the summertime! It's a great appetizer, snack, or side dish for taco night. You will love making this homemade salsa recipe with just a few simple ingredients.
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You’ll love this roasted corn salsa.
It's easy to make. This yummy corn salsa could not be easier to make and is packed with tons of fresh flavors between the sweetness of the corn, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and fresh lime juice.
It's versatile. You can genuinely throw any of your favorite veggies into this fresh salsa recipe, I'm sharing some of my favorite additions below.
It's delicious. It's absolutely packed with flavor! I love how the chili pepper offsets the sweet corn so perfectly.
What is roasted corn salsa?
Roasted corn salsa combines fresh sweet corn, peppers (like jalapenos or poblano peppers), onions, and fresh cilantro. In this homemade corn salsa recipe, I like to use some fresh juicy tomatoes since they are in season during the summertime.
This easy corn salsa recipe can be enjoyed in so many different ways. It's a perfect appetizer to pair with salty tortilla chips, top it on burrito bowls or on fish tacos for an extra layer of flavor.
Ingredients
Corn. You can use fresh ears of corn, canned corn, or frozen corn. If you're making this in the summertime, I recommend grabbing an ear of corn, or two! The flavor of fresh corn is so much better than frozen or canned.
Red Onion. You'll want to finely dice some red onion, you can also use a sweet onion, I just like the color of the red onion. Also, if you want to get a less onion taste, you can rinse it under cold water.
Tomatoes. Use whatever tomatoes you like, but if you use larger tomatoes, like Roma, be sure that you remove the seeds and just chop the "meat."
Cojita Cheese. I love the saltiness and just a little bit of creaminess of crumbled cojita cheese adds to this salsa recipe.
Cilantro. Fresh cilantro is an absolute must! If you don't like the taste of cilantro, I recommend using parsley or basil.
Lime. To offset the sweetness of the corn and the spiciness of the chili powder, you absolutely need to cut things with citrus juice. I prefer lime juice, but lemon juice will also work.
Chili Powder. I love adding chili powder to add a hint of smokiness. You can find chili pepper at any local grocery store.
Garlic Powder. Personally, I add garlic to almost everything, so of course I'm going to add it to this recipe.
Salt. Just a little bit of salt goes a long way if you use cojita cheese.
How to make roasted corn salsa
With just a few simple steps, you can turn your summer corn into this delicious homemade salsa.
- The first step is to roast your corn. If you are using frozen or canned corn, add the corn kernels to a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil and saute over medium-high heat until the kernels are golden brown. If you are using corn on the cob, you'll want to roast it over direct heat. If you are using your gas range stove, place the corn over the open flame and turn it frequently until golden brown. If you are using a grill, place it on the grill over high heat and turn frequently until golden brown.
- If you are using corn from corn on the cob, place a smaller bowl upside down into a large bowl. Place your corn on top of that small bowl, and using a sharp knife, slice the corn off the cob. The kernels will gather nicely into the larger mixing bowl and you don't have this huge mess. Here's a tutorial.
- Once your corn is prepped, slice your onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. In a medium-sized bowl mix together your remaining ingredients, the roasted corn, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, fresh lime juice, cojita cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- Serve with tortilla chips, on top of a taco salad, or whatever your favorite way is to eat this corn salsa.
How to cook corn on the cob for salsa
You can cook corn on the cob in your oven, on the grill, or on the stove. Depending on the time of year and the flavor you like, I recommend using the grill or the stove for optimal results.
How to cook corn on the cob in the oven
- Preheat your oven to 425F.
- Place your corn on the cob on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil or rub with butter.
- Bake at 425F for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How to cook corn on the cob on the grill
- Preheat your grill to about 400F.
- Rub your corn with oil or butter.
- Place the corn on the cob directly on the grill (husks either are removed or tied back) and cook for 12-15 minutes.
How to cook corn on the cob on the stove
- Place your corn on the cob directly onto the open flame, over medium-low heat, and cook for about 8-10 minutes.
How to cut corn off of the cob
Place a smaller bowl upside down into a larger bowl. That serves as a pedestal for your corn on the cob, and then using a sharp knife, slice the corn off the cob.
How to store
You'll want to store this roasted corn salsa in the fridge in an airtight container.
Variations and substitutions
Black beans. I have made corn salsa before by using 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed) along with 1 can of corn, red onion, lime juice, and cilantro. It's a delicious twist on this recipe, especially if you like black beans.
Peppers. Traditional corn salsa is made with a combination of peppers like jalapeño peppers or smoky poblano peppers. If you're a fan of spicy foods, add in some of these peppers and include some seeds to level up the spice.
Fresh Vegetables. You can truly use almost any fresh summer veggies in this recipe. Red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, or green onion just to name a few. I like the sweetness that red peppers bring to salsa, so if you're looking to add more veggies, I highly recommend that!
FAQ
How do you pick good corn on the cob?
You want to look for a husk that is bright green in color, wrapped tightly around the corn, and the slightest bit damp.
Can I use canned corn instead of fresh corn
Absolutely!
What is corn salsa made of?
Corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
Amazon kitchen finds
You'll want to make sure you have a decent set of cutting boards, sharp knives, and mixing bowls.
Pin it for later!
Want more appetizer recipes?
Roasted Corn Salsa
This roasted corn salsa is so perfect for the summertime! It's a great appetizer, snack, or side dish for taco night. You will love making this homemade salsa recipe with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Corn roasted
- ⅓ cup Red Onion diced
- 1 cup Tomatoes diced
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro chopped
- ½ Lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ - 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- The first step is to roast your corn. If you are using frozen or canned corn, add the corn kernels to a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil and saute over medium-high heat until the kernels are golden brown. If you are using corn on the cob, you'll want to roast it over direct heat. If you are using your gas range stove, place the corn over the open flame and turn it frequently until golden brown. If you are using a grill, place it on the grill over high heat and turn frequently until golden brown.
- If you are using corn from corn on the cob, place a smaller bowl upside down into a large bowl. Place your corn on top of that small bowl, and using a sharp knife, slice the corn off the cob. The kernels will gather nicely into the larger mixing bowl and you don't have this huge mess. Here's a tutorial.
- Once your corn is prepped, slice your onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. In a medium-sized bowl mix together your remaining ingredients, the roasted corn, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, fresh lime juice, cojita cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- Serve with tortilla chips, on top of a taco salad, or whatever your favorite way is to eat this corn salsa.
Notes
How to cook corn on the cob for salsa
You can cook corn on the cob in your oven, on the grill, or on the stove. Depending on the time of year and the flavor you like, I recommend using the grill or the stove for optimal results.
How to cook corn on the cob in the oven
- Preheat your oven to 425F.
- Place your corn on the cob on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil or rub with butter.
- Bake at 425F for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How to cook corn on the cob on the grill
- Preheat your grill to about 400F.
- Rub your corn with oil or butter.
- Place the corn on the cob directly on the grill (husks either are removed or tied back) and cook for 12-15 minutes.
How to cook corn on the cob on the stove
- Place your corn on the cob directly onto the open flame, over medium-low heat, and cook for about 8-10 minutes.
How to cut corn off of the cob
Place a smaller bowl upside down into a larger bowl. That serves as a pedestal for your corn on the cob, and then using a sharp knife, slice the corn off the cob.
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