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Home » Salads

Make-Ahead Corn Salad: Just in Time for Mother’s Day and Summer

by Beth Lee · Published: May 10, 2019 · Modified: Apr 14, 2023

157 shares
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Since I first posted this recipe for Melissa Clark’s make-ahead corn salad, variations of this salad have become a staple in our home. For Mother’s Day, summer gatherings, even in the dead of winter using frozen corn. This salad always hits the spot!

May and June have always been busy fun months in our family, even now that we are way past the grade school activities. Mother’s Day, DormantChef’s birthday, Memorial Day Weekend, my birthday and the sheer excitement of warm weather and long days.

make-ahead corn salad in red bowl with sunlight

Make-Ahead Corn Salad Satisfies a Crowd

Even though the long days encourage us to gather and celebrate, we often find our desire to be in the kitchen waning. That’s why this salad from Melissa Clark's book, Cook This Now, should become your new best friend. This is the perfect salad to bring to the teacher appreciation lunch or Mother’s Day celebration or the annual Memorial Day barbecue. Melissa Clark’s Corn Salad with edamame and lime dressing can be made ahead of time and easily feeds a gathering for 20 as a side dish.

tomatoes and edamame in red bowl with red spoon

Can I Make this Corn Salad with Frozen Corn?

This recipe is in the summer section of the book, calling for fresh corn on the cob. When I first prepared this salad, there was no fresh corn. That didn’t stop me. Off to the frozen aisle I went. Turns out that frozen corn and frozen edamame work quite nicely.

corn and edamame with red spoon

If I use Fresh Corn, How Should I Prepare it?

Could this salad be even better with fresh corn? Absolutely. But can you offset the lack of fresh corn with other bright summery ingredients? Absolutely.

If you have fresh corn, 3 ears serves about 4 – 6 according to Melissa, so if preparing for a crowd, triple that. She suggests either boiling or microwaving the stalks.

grilled or broiled corn on sheet pan for corn salad

Another method that will just make this salad sing with flavor, is to put some olive oil, salt, and pepper on the corn and grill it, sear it in a cast-iron pan or even broil it until it is starting to brown vigorously all over. Then cut the kernels off the ears after they cool a bit. The flavors of roasted/grilled corn are so intense that it takes the salad to another whole level of greatness. Try it, you’ll like it!

You'll Love this Make-ahead Corn Salad!

And here’s the best part – the dish can sit out or in the fridge for hours with no spoilage and only a continual improvement in flavor.

If the only time you can prepare the salad for 20 for the teacher appreciation lunch or your Mother’s Day barbecue is at 6AM before the frenzy begins, make this salad. If you are looking for a versatile colorful side dish that screams summer and marries with an array of main dishes from chipotle steak tacos to barbecue to a vegetarian buffet, make this salad.

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all ingredients for make-ahead corn salad in bowl

How can I Modify this Salad?

  1. Add one fresh jalapeno finely minced (Melissa suggests this as an addition – I used it the first time and it was just the right bite of spicy but depends on your taste)
  2. Hearts of Palm – if you’ve never tried these slightly bizarre stalks that you can find in cans or jars, give them a try. My daughter eats them straight out of the jar, but I’ve made avocado, tomato and hearts of palm salad with a lemony dressing and it’s a crowd pleaser. I think they would make a nice addition in this salad as well. Just slice the stalk into bite size pieces.
  3. If you don’t have avocadoes – it still tastes great without them.
  4. If you don’t like cilantro – then use parsley or basil or thyme or oregano or arugula. Even just salt and pepper with the citrus and olive oil will taste delish.

green onions and tomatoes in bowl unmixed corn salad

What Should I Serve with this Make-Ahead Corn Salad?

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Smashed Bacon Double Cheeseburgers from Pastry Chef Online

Pesto Grilled Alaska Halibut from Fearless Dining

NY Strip Steak with Herb Compound Butter from Family Spice

Other Great Summer Salads

Blistered Tomato, Corn and Arugula Salad

Roasted Asparagus Salad with Preserved Lemon

A Summer Chopped Salad

Heart of Palm, Avocado, and Cherry Tomato Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Salsa Appetizer

Melissa Clark's Corn Salad

Corn Salad with Tomatoes, Avocado, Edamame, and Cilantro Lime Dressing

Beth Lee
Adapted closely to Melissa Clark’s recipe in Cook This Now
4.09 from 12 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 255 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 16 oz packages of sweet frozen corn, preferably organic, white or yellow or a mix **
  • 1 10 oz package of frozen edamame beans (shelled)
  • ⅓ cup fresh squeezed lime juice about 2 or 3 limes
  • 2 - 4 garlic cloves minced depends how garlicky you like it
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 4-6 avocados diced
  • 1 ½ pints cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 4-6 scallions/green onions finely chopped
  • ½ cup of chopped cilantro
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Instructions
 

  • If using frozen corn and edamame, put it all in a bowl large enough to hold the finished salad but small enough to fit in the microwave, if possible. Don’t need to cook the corn, just take the chill off of it. Or, just let it sit out and defrost or leave it in the fridge to defrost.
    Melissa Clark's Corn Salad
  • Make the dressing by squeezing the lime juice into a bowl, add the chopped garlic, salt and pepper, then whisk in the olive oil. Set this aside and let the flavors blend.
    Melissa Clark's Corn Salad
  • Now prep the rest of your vegetables – cut your cherry tomatoes in half, slice the green onions finely, chop your cilantro, cut the avocado into largish bite size pieces so it doesn’t mush in the salad and if using jalapeno or hearts of palm, dice and slice as well.
  • Add the tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro (jalapeno and hearts of palm if using) to the corn and edamame mixture and combine gently, then add the avocado and dressing and combine well but gingerly so as not to mush the avocado. Now just cover and either place in the fridge or even leave it on the counter for a few hours if fridge space is spare.
    Melissa Clark's Corn Salad

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 232mgPotassium: 686mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 355IUVitamin C: 24.6mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1.7mg
Keyword corn, mothers day, salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Happy Mother's Day and may your spring gently and calmly turn into summer.

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    4.09 from 12 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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  1. Ilana

    May 31, 2024 at 1:19 pm

    Doesn’t the avocado turn brown if it’s added to the salad early on? I was thinking I would put together the salad without the avocado and add the avocado right before serving. Is that really not necessary?

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      May 31, 2024 at 2:39 pm

      Yes - great question. Avocado, if using, should be added right before serving. Your instincts are good! Let me know how it turns out! I'll add that note to the post if it's not in there. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Lori Chong Eurich

    May 11, 2024 at 4:53 pm

    5 stars
    My go to salad for potlucks and bbq dinners. Easy to make, no worries about spoiling in the sun and no food allergies!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      May 13, 2024 at 3:27 pm

      Yes yes yes! I can't even count how many versions of this I've prepared over the years and it never disappoints! Thanks for stopping by Lori!

      Reply
  3. Shannon

    July 30, 2020 at 7:46 am

    Can I make this salad two days ahead of serving it? I wouldn't add the avocado till that morning

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      July 30, 2020 at 12:19 pm

      Hi Shannon - If I were making it two days ahead, I'd mix the corn and edamame and refrigerate that, mix the dressing and refrigerate that, chop the green onions and store separately. Cut the tomatoes and avocado and cilantro the day off and mix it all together. Does that help?

      Reply
  4. Laura

    May 17, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    Now this is a salad I could easily inhale! This is going to be perfect for some of the summer picnics I have planned!

    Reply
  5. sandi

    May 11, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    Our family loves corn and I can't wait to serve this delicious recipe to them...thanks for the great step by step directions!

    Reply
  6. Jenni

    May 11, 2019 at 9:48 am

    5 stars
    What a great and versatile salad! I love corn in all the ways, so thank you for another way!

    Reply
  7. Karen

    April 19, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    Not a cilantro fan -- is there a good substitute?

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      April 19, 2019 at 2:01 pm

      Definitely — parsley or arugula are my first two ideas! Thyme or oregano. or just leave it out. Enjoy! I love this salad!

      Reply
  8. Love To Crochet

    May 19, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    I make a simular cold corn salad. Not too big on cilantro, used dill instead. Pretty tasty.

    Reply
  9. Kristi at Disney Insider Tips

    May 12, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Oh, I so want to make this. So glad I found you on SITS!

    Reply
  10. LIsa

    May 12, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Wow--those pics are awesome! Was just finishing up my grocery list and I can't wait to make this. Stopping by from Saturday Sharefest--have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 12, 2012 at 11:53 am

      Thanks Lisa - please stop back and let me know how you liked it if you make it ok? Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely mother's day weekend!

      Reply
      • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

        May 12, 2012 at 11:54 am

        PS Lisa - love the writing on your blog!

        Reply
  11. Carol Sacks

    May 11, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Looks wonderful, Beth. We are getting California-grown corn, so I look forward to trying this soon.

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 11, 2012 at 4:02 pm

      Oh the farmer's market near me is so anemic but hopefully it will get corn soon I'll find it at my local grocer soon!

      Reply
  12. lizthechef

    May 11, 2012 at 9:35 am

    I adore Melissa Clark and her cookbooks - this is classic MC and I'm eager to make it once the good corn arrives.

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 11, 2012 at 9:41 am

      It's as lovely to look at as it is to eat! I love reading her recipes!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Beth!

I'm a cookbook author, cooking teacher and preserved lemon lover. My family is a mix of Jewish, Hawaiian and Korean heritage. My virtual multicultural kitchen is always open. Let's cook together! 

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