Sweet Corn Salad Recipe

Whether you’re thinking holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas or you’re planning your next summer cookout, corn side dishes are always the answer! They’re so easy to make and always a hit. This Sweet Corn Salad recipe is perfect for any gathering! 

It’s the best corn salad recipe because it’s a simple make ahead corn salad that you can even store in the refrigerator for a few days!

Scroll down for the printable recipe card or read on for the full recipe along with tips and tricks!

Post updated: 4/23/24

Sweet Corn Salad Recipe

This sweet corn salad is one of my favorite side dishes. It has delicious bacon and ranch flavors that have earned it the title of crack corn salad because once you try it, it’ll be hard to resist! You’ll be hooked!

If you like this crack corn recipe because of the bacon ranch flavor, try our Crockpot Crack Chicken or Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni and Cheese for dinner sometime. They have the same flavor vibes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy – If you need a quick side dish, this bacon corn recipe is perfect. Whether you’re making corn salad for a crowd, need cookout side dish recipes, or want something new to go with dinner this week, you can prep this one in 15-20 minutes and then pop it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat it!
• Simple Ingredients – There’s nothing fancy needed to make this recipe! You just need frozen (or fresh) corn, bacon, ranch dressing, and shredded cheese. You can top with green onions if you want but that all depends on your taste!
• Perfect for Groups – This recipe is great as a side dish for larger gatherings. You can also make it ahead of time so it’s done while you prep other menu items for your next BBQ or other get together!

How to Make Corn Salad with Bacon

To make this corn salad with ranch dressing, you’ll need some familiar ingredients. There’s nothing exotic on this list, I promise! Most importantly you need corn and bacon. Anything with corn and bacon is worth making, right?

Ingredients

• Frozen corn
• Bacon
• Ranch dressing
• Shredded Cheese
• Green onions, if desired
• Salt & Pepper

Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

You will also need a few things from your kitchen:

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Spatula
• Measuring Cups

Crack Corn Recipe

This recipe makes approximately 8 servings. It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to mix together. I recommend allowing it to chill for at least an hour before serving.

To prep to make sweet corn salad, cook your frozen corn and allow it to cool. Then cook your bacon and chop it up. You’ll also want to chop your green onions, if using them.

Leftovers & Storage

You can store the leftover corn salad in the airtight covered container for up to three days in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to cook frozen corn?

There are a few different ways to cook frozen corn for this recipe. For this recipe, I boiled the corn on the stovetop before adding it to the recipe so the timing on the recipe is based on that cook time. 

Depending on the cooking method you choose (or if you opt for canned corn), your prep time may vary.

• Boiling – Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add corn and let cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir it so the corn doesn’t stick to the pot. Check a kernel after 3-4 minutes to see if it’s tender. Drain the corn and let cool.
• Steam on the Stovetop – You need a steamer to use this method. Put about 1 inch of water in the bottom of the steamer and bring it to a boil. Rinse the frozen corn under water and then put it in the steaming basket and salt. Place the basket into the steamer and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the corn is tender. Allow to cool.
• Steam in the Microwave – Put the frozen corn in a microwave-safe bowl and salt. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes (time is dependent on the strength of your microwave). Stir the corn and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes. Repeat until corn is heated thoroughly.
• Sauté – Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the frozen corn. Stir the corn frequently so it doesn’t burn. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until tender, stirring often so it doesn’t burn. Place cooked corn on a paper towel so oil can drain off. Allow to cool.

Recipe FAQs

Do you have to cook frozen corn for salad?

You really do need to cook your frozen corn before eating it or using it in a recipe. While you can eat some frozen vegetables without cooking them, I highly recommend cooking them so you know they’re safe to eat.

Can I make corn salad with canned corn?

ABSOLUTELY! In fact, using canned corn makes this easy corn salad recipe even easier to make! If you want to use canned corn, just make sure to use the same amount as called for in the recipe.

I recommend draining and rinsing the canned corn in a colander. Then you can add it directly to the recipe. No heating required! If you use canned corn, you’ll save time prepping your sweet corn salad by skipping the time needed to cook the frozen corn.

Variations

Another thing I love about this recipe is how easily you can tweak the flavors in it.

• Bacon Jalapeño Corn Salad – For an extra kick, I recommend adding two small jalapeño peppers. Chop jalapeños, removing the membranes and seeds. Then add to the salad mixture before the ranch dressing. You’ll get a jalapeño popper vibe.
• If you want corn salad with mayo and cheese, try our Creamy Corn Salad recipe.
• Add-ins – You can always change it up by using addition add-ins. Try chopped bell pepper, black beans, or chopped tomatoes. You can also try a different dressing like an Avocado Ranch or a Cilantro Ranch!

Serving Suggestions

Sweet corn salad is a perfect cookout side dish but also works well for big meals like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I’ve even made it as a game day side dish!

I recommend trying it with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs or Chicken Legs. It also pairs well with hamburgers and hot dogs!