Milwaukee-Inspired Sweet Corn and Cheese Curds Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fresh summer salad featuring sweet corn kernels and crispy fried cheese curds, celebrating Milwaukee’s iconic snack. This american-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs cheese curds, all-purpose flour, cold sparkling water 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 400 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep saucepan or fryer to 350°F for frying cheese curds.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 3/4 cup cold sparkling water until smooth to make a light batter.
  3. Step 3: Dip 1 cup cheese curds into the batter, then carefully place them into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth to make dressing.
  5. Step 5: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 2 cups fresh sweet corn kernels, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
  6. Step 6: Toss the salad with the dressing until evenly coated.
  7. Step 7: Top the salad with the warm fried cheese curds and serve immediately for a contrast of textures and flavors.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Milwaukee-Inspired Sweet Corn and Cheese Curds Salad take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Milwaukee-Inspired Sweet Corn and Cheese Curds 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 cheese curds from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Milwaukee-Inspired Sweet Corn and Cheese Curds 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 Milwaukee-Inspired Sweet Corn and Cheese Curds 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 Milwaukee-Inspired Sweet Corn and Cheese Curds 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.

Related recipes