Chipotle Corn Salsa
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Chipotle Corn Salsa is one of those condiments that instantly upgrades the flavor of anything it’s served with, and this homemade version is so simple to make! Plus, it takes less than 15 minutes to throw together!
It’s sweet, tangy, and zesty, with just the right amount of crunch. I’ve made it dozens of times, and it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
Why This Recipe is a Favorite
This easy copycat recipe comes together fast, which is part of what makes it so great. But the real reason this recipe is so special is that it makes life in the kitchen so much easier! Hooray for easy meal prep!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I made this corn salsa for a family gathering and it was a hit. Everyone loved it, eating it with anything and everything on their plate. I recommend this salsa especially with tortilla chips.
–Marca
The corn salsa is a fantastic add-in for tacos, burritos, or really any Mexican meal. It’s savory, tangy, sweet, and tastes just as good as the restaurant version.
It’s also endlessly flexible. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over blackened salmon, grilled chicken, or eggs. We’ve even used it to top a breakfast quesadilla!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my most important mom-tested tips for making homemade salsa. I’ve made this countless times to save you from a failed attempt.
- Wear gloves. When cutting jalapeños, or any other spicy peppers, wear gloves! Then you won’t have to worry about the “oops, I touched my eyes” moment after dicing up the peppers.
- Taste as you go. The best way to improve your cooking skills is to season and taste along the way! Be sure to taste the salsa and add more salt or lime juice if needed before serving.
- Roll your limes. Before cutting a lime to juice, roll it on the countertop. It makes it much easier to squeeze fresh lime juice from the fruit!
Ingredients
- corn: canned corn or frozen niblets – whichever works best for you
- Fresh lime juice
- Tomato
- Red onion
- Fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper
Substitutions and Variations
Make it kid friendly: I like to keep this sweet corn salsa recipe kid-friendly, so I leave out anything spicy. However, if you want to stay 100% true to Chipotle’s recipe, omit the tomato and dice up fresh jalapeños instead.
Different Peppers: If jalapeño peppers aren’t spicy enough for you, kick up the spice level with some serrano peppers. For something mellower, use roasted poblano peppers instead.
Add-Ins: Kick up the fresh flavor by adding minced garlic into the mix. Extra citrus juice will add some more zesty flavor to this salsa, too!
Avocado: Love avocados and want to use them in everything? Then dice up a few small avocados and mix them into the corn salsa for a bit of creaminess.
How to Make Chipotle Corn Salsa
This recipe is so simple, you really just need one large bowl.
Start by draining your corn. If you’re using frozen corn, give it a few minutes to defrost at room temp (or run it under cool water in a strainer), then pat dry. Canned corn? Drain and do the same.
Dice the red onion, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro. Then slice the lime in half and juice it.
Add all of the diced veggies to the bowl of corn and mix it up. Season to taste and voila! It’s ready to go.
Serve over your favorite tacos, on burrito bowls, or with crunchy corn chips. Enjoy!
Corn Salsa Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! I've made this an entire day in advance, and I think it may even be better the next day. Cover and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it.
Yes! Just boil or grill the corn, then let cool, and cut off the kernels.
Keep your homemade condiment in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It keeps really well, but is best eaten within the same week. I do not recommend freezing.
I'd love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Ingredients
- 32 ounces corn frozen or canned
- 3 limes juice only
- 1 large bunch fresh cilantro
- ½ medium red onion about ½ cup diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes optional
- 1 jalapeno optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ - 1 teaspoon pepper
Video
Instructions
- Thaw the corn by adding it to a fine strainer and running cold water over it. It takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, wash the vegetables. Dice the onion, tomatoes, and jalapeno, if using. Finely mince the cilantro. Juice the limes.
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and add more lime juice or cilantro if desired.
Notes
- To store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can make this a day in advance. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Nutrition
2025 Update: This recipe is still a family favorite and has been updated to simplify the cooking instructions and add extra cooking tips for our readers. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this yummy salsa with:
- Chips: I love to make fresh air fryer tortilla chips, or use your favorite store-bought brand. Plantain chips are also quite tasty with this salsa!
- Main Dishes: Use it on carnitas or serve with this amazing blackened chicken and cilantro lime quinoa.
- Salad: Add a spoonful of salsa to this chicken fajita salad for a pop of color and flavor!
This recipe is so easy and full of flavor. I take leftover grilled corn on the cob in the summertime. I do use the frozen corn in the off-season. Either way, it tastes amazing and as a crowd pleaser.
How many cups does this yield?
Hi Julia, this recipe yields about 5-6 cups of salsa. 🙂 -Laura
I made this corn salsa for a family gathering and it was a hit. Everyone loved it, eating it with anything and everything on their plate. I recommend this salsa especially with tortilla chips.
Hi Marca, I’m thrilled to hear that you and your family loved the recipe!! -Laura
This is so easy and makes my Mexican food so much better. Thanks!
Cherise, I’m so excited that you enjoy my corn salsa recipe! Happy eating! -Laura
I love anything Chipotle!!!
Hi Carolyn! Same here, anything Chipotle is wonderful in my book. Hope you enjoy this recipe! -Laura
Made this morning. Perfect to add to my cinco de mayo meal. Took a sneak bite and it is delicious! Can’t wait to taste tonight after it marinates all day. Thank you.😋
Hi Diane! I’m so thrilled to hear that. Thank you for sharing that you enjoyed it! I think it definitely gets better with time. 🙂 -Laura
I love cilantro
Hi Dave, so do I! 🙂 -Laura