Summer Corn, Tomato, and Bacon Salad
on Jul 21, 2017, Updated Jan 18, 2025
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Starring the two best vegetables of late summer, with bacon as a supporting actor.
During the height of summer, those of us who love seasonal produce wax on and on about the beauty of sweet corn and juicy tomatoes. The Serena and Venus Williams of produce! In this easy salad, they shine, enhanced with a bit of chopped red onion, fresh herbs, and smoky, crispy bacon.
The lightly creamy dressing is spiked with 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 with this simple summer salad that goes with everything. Try it with grilled sirloin cap, grilled turkey burgers, or grilled swordfish. Or if you’re cooking indoors, try it with Baked Chicken Thighs or pan-seared ribeye steaks.
This Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad highlights the two biggest produce of the season: corn and tomato. Pair it with wheat berries or lettuce.
Ingredients for Summer Corn, Tomato, and Bacon Salad
The corn kernels get cut off the cob and are 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.
- Corn kernels – Use fresh corn if it’s in season or frozen corn if you’re cooking this recipe in the colder months.
- Butter – The corn gets sautéed in butter for a super luxurious flavor.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes – Add a burst of sweetness.
- Red onion – Raw red onion adds a great bite to this salad.
- Scallions – Balances out the strong flavor of the red onion.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – Mixes into the dressing to make it smooth and silky.
- Sour cream – I love a slightly creamy dressing to add a bit of richness to these summer veggies.
- Lime juice – Brightens up the dish.
- Chili powder – A bit of subtle heat brings this to the next level.
- Crisp bacon – Cook the bacon until it’s super crispy, and then crumble it into the salad.
- Cilantro – If you like cilantro, don’t skip it — the herb goes so well with this dressing.
How to Make Corn, Tomato, and Bacon Salad
- Cook the corn: Sauté the corn in the butter.
- Make the dressing: Mix together the olive oil, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and salt and pepper.
- Combine: Toss together the tomatoes, onions, and scallions. Then add the corn and the dressing and toss to coat.
- Finish: Just before serving, crumble the bacon over the salad and sprinkle on the cilantro. Now it’s ready to serve!
Variations
- To turn this into a lettuce-based side salad, 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 lettuce, and the more sophisticated radicchio and arugula have to go play quietly in a corner for a little while.
- 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.
Tips
- When the corn starts to brown, remove it from the heat and let it cool while you make the rest of the salad.
- If making this salad ahead of time, you can set the salad aside for a few hours or refrigerate for a day. Add the bacon and cilantro just before serving.
What to Serve With Summer Corn, Tomato, and Bacon Salad
More Summer Corn Recipes
- Corn and Zucchini Fritters
- Sautéed Corn and Zucchini in Lemony Browned Butter
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Chicken Corn Chowder
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Summer Corn, Tomato, and Bacon Salad
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
- If making this salad ahead of time, you can set the salad aside for a few hours or refrigerate it for a day. Add the bacon and cilantro just before serving.
- To turn this into a lettuce-based side salad, then all of you have to do is…add lettuce!
- Add cooked and cooled whole grains to turn this into a heartier whole-grain salad. Wheat berries are a good option.
I dream about this one in the dead of winter. Thank goodness corn and tomato season is almost here because I canโt 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.
love that story!
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!!
Oh, I like those tweaks very much! Nice ideas.
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!
sorry about that, Wordpress decided to make some edits without me knowing! thanks for pointing it out.
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
I actually used regular bacon but go ahead and try Canadian! Any bacon will work fine.
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?
Your recipe looks beautiful! I love the ingredients you chose, so I’m definitely going to try this. Thank you for sharing it!