Summer Corn Tomato Salad with Chili Crunch Dressing

The second corn and tomatoes hit peak season, this corn tomato salad is the first thing I make. It’s a mash-up I didn’t plan on loving as much as I do — part caprese salad (corn, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil), part punchy Asian-inspired situation (chili crunch, sesame oil, ginger, lime). It sounds like it shouldn’t work, and then you taste it and it just does. It’s ready in under 30 minutes with zero fuss, and because I add pearl couscous and roasted peanuts, it’s substantial enough to eat as a full lunch, not just a scoop on the side of something else. I’ve tested this one more times than I’ll admit, tweaking the dressing ratio until it was exactly right — so this is the summer salad recipe I make on repeat all season long.

Why You’ll Love This Corn Tomato Salad

• It’s a flavor mash-up you didn’t know you needed: Mozzarella and basil play against chili crunch, sesame oil, ginger, and lime, and somehow it all makes sense on the fork. Most corn-tomato salads pick one lane — a classic vinaigrette or a straight-up Mexican street corn flavor profile — and stay there. This one doesn’t.
• It’s a full meal, not just a side: Pearl couscous and roasted peanuts add carbs and crunchy protein, so this works as a main-dish lunch salad. Most corn tomato salads are strictly side-dish material; this one can carry the whole plate.
• It’s ready in under 30 minutes: Twenty-five minutes of prep, ten minutes of cook time, and no oven required. It’s the kind of recipe I reach for on a hot day when turning on the stove for longer than that feels like a lot to ask.
• It’s endlessly adaptable: I’ve tested this with halloumi in place of mozzarella for a firmer, grillable swap, and it holds up beautifully for make-ahead lunches all week.

What You’ll Need for This Corn Tomato Salad

Here’s what goes into this corn tomato salad, split into the salad base and the dressing:

• Pearl couscous: Cooks in about 10 minutes and gives the salad a little bite — a different base than the pasta or quinoa most competitor salads default to, and it’s what keeps this from feeling like just another side dish.
• Fresh corn: Cooked and cut off the cob. Frozen corn works in a pinch — just thaw it and pat it dry so it doesn’t water down the dressing.
• Cocktail or cherry tomatoes: Sweet, juicy, and the whole reason this salad only works in summer.
• Fresh basil, cilantro, and parsley: This herb trio is what makes the salad taste bright instead of muddy — don’t skip any of the three.
• Roasted peanuts: For crunch and a little extra protein.
• Mozzarella pearls: Or halloumi — see the Variations section below for that swap.
• Red onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp bite that balances the sweetness of the corn and tomatoes.
• Dressing: Sesame oil, rice vinegar, lime juice, chili crunch, fresh ginger, honey, and sea salt.

The Chili Crunch Dressing

This dressing is the actual star of this tomato corn salad, so it gets its own section. Sesame oil and rice vinegar bring the nutty, acidic backbone. Fresh ginger and lime add brightness. Chili crunch brings crunch, heat, and umami all at once, and a touch of honey rounds out any sharp edges so nothing tastes like it’s fighting for attention.

One small trick I always use: let the whisked dressing sit for 5 to 10 minutes before pouring it over the salad. That resting time lets the grated ginger and chili crunch mellow into the oil, so the flavor comes across rounder instead of sharp and one-note. It’s the same base I use for my go-to sesame dressing, so once you’ve got the ratios down here, you can riff on it for basically any salad in your rotation.

Tips for the Best Corn Tomato Salad

• Cook the couscous ahead and cool it fully: Warm couscous wilts the herbs and steams the mozzarella. If you’re short on time, spread it on a sheet pan so it cools faster.
• Salt the corn separately before combining: Corn straight off the cob needs its own pinch of salt so its natural sweetness doesn’t get lost once the tangy dressing hits it.
• Add herbs and dressing just before serving if making ahead: This keeps everything fresher longer — more on that in the Make-Ahead section below.
• Taste and adjust the chili crunch to your spice tolerance: Start with 1 tablespoon and add more from there. Brands vary a lot in heat level, so taste as you go.

Variations

• Dairy-free or vegan: Skip the mozzarella or halloumi and add extra peanuts or a scoop of cannellini beans for protein instead.
• No couscous: Swap in cooked quinoa or orzo. Orzo is the closest match in size and bite if you want to keep the texture similar.
• Extra veggies: Diced cucumber or shredded cabbage add even more crunch.
• Protein add-in: Grilled shrimp or chicken turns this into a full dinner. If you want something in this same flavor lane but lighter and grain-free, my chili crunch edamame cucumber salad is a great one to bookmark, too.

Make-Ahead and Storage

The couscous, corn, and dressing can all be made up to 2 days ahead and stored separately in the fridge. Combine everything with the tomatoes, mozzarella, and herbs just before serving for the best texture — this keeps the herbs vibrant and stops the tomatoes from releasing too much liquid too soon.

Once fully assembled, this salad keeps for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The tomatoes will release some liquid as it sits, so give it a quick drain or toss before serving leftovers. This one isn’t freezer-friendly — the fresh vegetables won’t hold up.

What to Serve With This Corn Tomato Salad

This salad is flexible enough to be the main event or the best thing on the table next to something grilled:

• Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers
• Grilled salmon
• A scoop-able side for a backyard BBQ spread alongside burgers or brats

If you want more corn on the table, my grilled corn in foil is an easy pairing. And if you’re in the mood for a more classic Italian-leaning tomato-and-mozzarella salad, my fresh caprese quinoa salad is a great one to have on rotation, too.

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