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Easy Sweet Corn Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

Easy Sweet Corn Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

A bright summer salad made with tender-crisp corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, parsley, and a tangy red wine vinaigrette. It serves 4–6 people and comes together in about 25 minutes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 6 ears Fresh sweet corn, shucked
  • 1 cup Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 small onion Small red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
Red Wine Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup Red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Honey or granulated sugar
  • 1 clove Small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1/3 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shucked corn and blanch for 3–4 minutes, just until the kernels are tender-crisp. Transfer the corn immediately to ice water, then drain and cool.
  2. Stand each cooled ear inside a shallow bowl and carefully cut the kernels from the cob. The bowl catches the kernels and any sweet corn milk. For a no-cook option, use raw kernels from very fresh, tender corn.
  3. Whisk the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified.
  4. Combine the corn, tomatoes, red onion, basil, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Add the salad salt and pepper, distributing them gently through the vegetables.
  5. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until every ingredient is lightly coated. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed.
  6. Serve immediately, or refrigerate the salad for 20–30 minutes so the flavors can blend. Bring it close to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Dress the salad while the corn is still slightly warm so it absorbs the vinaigrette well, but wait until the corn has cooled before adding the basil so the herbs remain fresh and aromatic. Frozen corn may replace fresh corn; use about 4 cups, thawed and well drained.