Napa Sweet Corn Salad is full of fresh flavors and lots of crunch. Serve as a healthy side dish with any summer dinner, or take to a BBQ!
Although the only visual proof my husband and I have of taking a babymoon a couple months back is a picture of my iced tea cheersing his Hendrick’s martini, it happened! 24 hours in Kansas City, Missouri — they never saw us coming. Probably because our visit was so short that the city could have blinked and missed it, but it was a great time nonetheless.
After checking into our hotel we bellied up to the bar at Cooper’s Hawk for lunch. There are many local restaurants in KC but Cooper’s has a great GF menu, and I was hangry, so inside we went. I ordered the Napa Chicken Salad which doesn’t sound particularly life changing but it was magical. Not because of the chicken or greens, but because everything but the kitchen sink was loaded on top.
That said, this salad is all about the toppings. Napa Sweet Corn Salad is my at-home recreation and it’s so delicious that I promise it’ll become your new go-to summer side dish / potluck salad.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItRaw Sweet Corn Salad
Summer is synonymous with sweet corn season here in the state of Iowa. Did you know that less then 1% of all the corn grown here is sweet corn? Some food for thought, har. Iowa sweet corn is so candy-sweet and tender that I like to eat it raw like in this salad.
Yes, you can eat raw fresh sweet corn. It’s sweet and crispy — such a treat!
That said, raw sweet corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, avocados, chopped apples, almonds, green onions, and fresh basil are drizzled in a 4 ingredient homemade Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette to create the crunchy, crispy, creamy, fresh, healthy, and delicious side dish that’s perfect for serving with dinner, or taking with you to a summer BBQ, potluck, or picnic.
How to Make Napa Sweet Corn Salad
Start by adding all the goodies into a big bowl – that’s:
- Sweet corn kernels
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped avocado
- Chopped red apple
- Sliced or chopped almonds
- Chopped fresh basil
How to Slice Kernels Off the Cob — No Mess!
Next shake or whisk up the Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette to drizzle on top – that’s:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper.
Taste then add more honey if you like, though remember the sweet corn and apple add sweetness to the salad.
Drizzle your desired amount of dressing on top then toss everything to combine and serve it on up.
Take to a summer picnic or potluck, or serve with dinner (this dish pairs perfectly with grilled meats, if I do say so myself!) No matter how ya eat it, I hope you love this bright and colorful, healthy summer salad — enjoy!
More Summery Side Dishes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
- Sweet Corn Caprese Salad
- Best Baked Beans EVER
- Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Green Beans with Bacon
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
- Peach Caprese Salad
- Mojito Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweet corn kernels, ~3 ears
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
- 3 small or 2 large green onions, chopped
- 1 small avocado, chopped
- 1 red apple, chopped
- 1/3 cup sliced or chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup packed fresh basil, chopped
For the Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Combine ingredients for the Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette in a jar or bowl then shake or whisk to combine. Taste then add up to an additional 1/2 Tablespoon honey if desired – remember that the sweet corn and apple will add natural sweetness to the salad. Set dressing aside — can be made up to 5 days ahead of time.
- Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl then drizzle over desired amount of Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette and stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to several hours.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Very good – thank you!
Thrilled to hear it, Terry!
This salad recipe was amazing. I added a bit of romaine just for bulk. The dressing was delicious! So healthy too. Thank you!!!
I’m so glad you loved it, Lisa!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Hi! Every summer I make your fresh corn and blueberry salad, but not I cannot find the recipe. When I click on the picture on my Pinterest page, it takes me here. Can you share? Or direct me.
Thanks!!
Hi Kim! Is it the one with quinoa? You can still find that here! https://iowagirleats.com/fresh-corn-blueberry-salad-with-honey-lemon-vinaigrette/comment-page-2/
The Napa Corn Salad is gluten free,
Dairy free correct?
Hi Lynne! This recipe is both gluten and dairy free. :)
Made this. Love it! the dressing goes beautifully with this dressing! Thank you
I’m so glad you loved it, Carole!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Not sure how you are able to keep inventing all of these super recipes, but I’m sure glad you do!!!! My husband grilled chicken tonight, and I cut it into strips and served the chicken on top of the napa salad. My husband said “restaurant quality for sure”!!!!!!
You are too kind and that sounds like a fantastic summer meal!! So glad you loved it, Susan!!