Coin-Heaped Corn Salad
A vibrant corn salad with a golden honey-lime dressing, garnished with edible gold dust to mimic Mario's coins. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs fresh or frozen Corn kernels, halved Cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced Red onion 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 220 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, fresh or frozen Corn kernels
- 1 cup, halved Cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced Red onion
- 1/2 cup, diced Cucumber
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 tablespoons, chopped Cilantro
- 1 teaspoon, crumbled Edible gold leaf
Instructions
- Step 1: Thaw frozen corn in a colander under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon honey until emulsified.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups corn kernels, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and 1/2 cup diced cucumber to the bowl. Toss gently until all vegetables are evenly coated with dressing.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro and 1 teaspoon crumbled edible gold leaf. Gently fold to distribute gold leaf without tearing.
- Step 5: Chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold with extra gold leaf for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coin-Heaped Corn Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Coin-Heaped Corn 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 fresh or frozen corn kernels from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coin-Heaped Corn 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 Coin-Heaped Corn 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.
What goes well with Coin-Heaped Corn Salad?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.