Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad

5 from 4 votes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Starring the two best vegetables of late summer, with bacon as a supporting actor.

Spoon in a bowl of Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad.
Spoon in a bowl of Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad.

At this time of year there are more of us food writers babbling on and on about the bounty of produce at the markets than any one “foodie” (*gentle gagging noise*)  could stomach. We especially love to shower worship and praise upon the various kinds of corn and tomatoes available. There is a special pedestal for August produce, and while it’s deserved, it’s frankly annoying.

But only a fool would ignore the tomatoes and corn. Only a blogger-curmudgeon would refuse to write up a recipe or two about the Serena and Venus Williams of produce. Yet only an ass would act as though the world wasn’t always well aware that – yes! – tomatoes and corn are in season.

Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad in a bowl with a spoon.

Side story – when Jack was super little, we were rushing through the airport in West Palm Florida, where we had just finished a visit with Gary’s parents. I knew he could read a word or two (along the lines of “Cat and “Hat” – nothing too fancy). But suddenly he said, “Mom, how come that sign says, ‘Yes! The bar is open’ and not just ‘The bar is open’?”

Spoon scooping Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad.

My baby can read! Whole sentences! And ….what an interesting first sentence! How memorable! I then explained to him that at 7:30 in the morning, which it was, people who were looking to see if the bar was open would be possibly both excited and surprised to see that it was, and therefore the establishment had chosen to recognize this by prefacing their unexpected news with an enthusiastic “Yes!”

I don’t know that the full reasoning landed, but that was ok. My baby could READ!

Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad in a light brown bowl.

Okay, re-focusing here. This is why editors have jobs.

Bright and colorful Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad in a bowl.

The corn kernels get cut off the cob and given a quick pan sauté, though if you prefer you could grill the corn. Just husk it, and grill on the cob over medium high heat, turning it frequently until the kernels are lightly browned all around. Then slice the kernels off the cob.

Then the corn meets up with – yes! – tomatoes, and some red onion and scallions, and the whole thing gets tossed in a very lightly creamy dressing with – yes! – bacon. And cilantro, which makes the salad, but if you don’t like cilantro there’s no changing that, so leave it out if you must. And then you are done.

Bowl of Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad with lettuce.

On the other hand, if you want to turn this into a lettuce-based side salad, then all of you have to do is ….add lettuce! However much you like, whatever kind you like. I went for iceberg, because sometimes you just want iceberg, and radicchio and arugula have to go play quietly in a corner for a little while.

Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad with lettuce in a bowl.

And if you want to turn this into a grain salad, then all you have to do is (all together now)….add grains! Again, whatever kind you want, and as much as you like. Here we have some chewy firm wheat berries added to the equation. Play around. Be free. Tip your waiter.

Spoon resting on the edge of a bowl of Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad.

I’m done now. Thanks for bearing with me.

More Summer Corn Recipes:

5 from 4 votes

Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad

Starring the two best vegetables of late summer, with bacon as a supporting actor.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 People

Ingredients 

  • 6 cups corn kernels preferably fresh
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • ½ cup sliced scallions
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 6 slices cooked crisp bacon crumbled into large pieces
  • ½ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro optional

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet heat the butter until it melts over medium high heat. Add the corn, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 5 minutes, not stirring too much, until the corn is browned in places, and cooked. Transfer to a bowl and cool.
  • Add the tomatoes, onions and scallions to the bowl. In a small bowl or container combine the olive oil, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder and salt and pepper. Pour over the salad, and toss. The salad can sit for a couple of hours, covered. Just before serving add the bacon and cilantro and toss again. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

The corn kernels get cut off the cob and given a quick pan sauté, though if you prefer you could grill the corn.  Just husk it, and grill on the cob over medium high heat, turning it frequently until the kernels are lightly browned all around.   Then slice the kernels off the cob.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 186mg, Potassium: 534mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1012IU, Vitamin C: 23mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Katie Workman

Katie Workman is a cook, a writer, a mother of two, an activist in hunger issues, and an enthusiastic advocate for family meals, which is the inspiration behind her two beloved cookbooks, Dinner Solved! and The Mom 100 Cookbook.

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. I dream about this one in the dead of winter. Thank goodness corn and tomato season is almost here because I can’t make enough this in the summer to satisfy my family. On another note, our son Alex read his first word loudly during Mass one Sunday proclaiming E X I T is exit, Mama! I was shushing and praising him simultaneously.

  2. Katie, what a beautiful recipe! I can’t wait to try it! I’d like to say that as long as I’d have the fry pan in use, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to soften up the tart red onion, especially with a little Avocado Oil (my fave!); plus take a couple minutes to low-cook tomatoes a couple minutes too, as it increases their nutritional value. Thank you so much!! I’m your new fan!!

  3. I only see part of the recipe. I would presume you make the dressing with the olive oil, sour cream, lime juice & chili powder? Or put the olive oil on first then the make the dressing with the rest? Thanks!

    1. sorry about that, Wordpress decided to make some edits without me knowing! thanks for pointing it out.

  4. Have an abundance of corn & tomatoes and want to try, looks so good. However, your bacon looks like Canadian bacon to me. Think I might try that. Thanks

  5. Can’t wait to try this, have an abundance of tomatoes & corn. Why does your bacon look round. Think I might try Canadian bacon. What do you think?

  6. Your recipe looks beautiful! I love the ingredients you chose, so I’m definitely going to try this. Thank you for sharing it!