Chester County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad
A fresh, crunchy summer salad featuring sweet corn and ripe tomatoes from Chester County farms, tossed with herbs and a tangy vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs (from 3 ears) fresh sweet corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced red bell pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (from 3 ears) fresh sweet corn kernels
- 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 cups fresh sweet corn kernels and blanch for 2 minutes until bright and tender. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain again.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine blanched corn kernels, 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1/4 small thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Step 5: Let salad rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chester County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chester County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep halved cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chester County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chester County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Chester County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.