This Unbelievably Easy Recipe Is My Go-To All Summer Long

From beach trips and neighborhood cookouts to visiting friends and family across the South —summer is full of activity and soaking up the sun. But it’s also a time for taking advantage of in-season produce, no matter if you’re in your own home or on the go.

So, whether you’re a weeklong house guest and it’s your turn to contribute to the meal prep or you’re just dropping in for a night, this delicious recipe is one you’ll want to keep handy. Yes, even if your host says not to bring anything, our Corn-And-Tomato Salad is a light and fresh summer dish that will impress and let some of the season's best bounty — corn and tomatoes — shine. 

The Simple and Fresh Ingredients

The medley of sweet corn and juicy tomatoes, plus mild Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro is tossed together with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, olive oil, and lime juice which bring a balance of richness and zesty flavor to the dish. (If you’re mayo-averse, just a tiny dollop is enough to bind together all the ingredients — you won’t even know it’s there!)

Enjoy it on its own or serve it with an endless variety of mains including steak, chicken, shrimp, or pork tenderloin. Truly, anything from the grill makes for the perfect pairing.

Reasons We Love This Recipe

Now, there are an endless number of reasons why you should be making this Corn-And-Tomato Salad on repeat all summer long, but here's a few things to convince you:

• Its ease and simplicity. At the top of the list is it's easy to make. As a house guest, you never want to feel in the way or like a burden to your host, but thanks to the short ingredient list and minimal prep time, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time—15 minutes to be exact! It’s a no-cook recipe, so all you have to do is cut the corn off the cob, slice the tomatoes in half, chop the cilantro, and then dump all the ingredients in a bowl, give it a stir, and you’re good to go.
• It can be made ahead. In fact, it gets better with time when all the ingredients have a chance to mix and mingle together. And since it saves so well, that means it also travels well. Yes, even in a cooler for hours on the way to your mother-in-law’s house. 
• It's budget-friendly. Maybe best of all, this one isn’t going to rack up the grocery bill. With only a few main ingredients and a few pantry staples, you likely already have the goods on hand. If you can’t find Cotija or just already have feta in the fridge—that works too. And, in a pinch, canned or frozen corn works too. Though we’re partial to the kernels straight from the cob. We all know sweet summer corn, especially those ears from a roadside farm stand, is like liquid gold.
• It's easily doubled - or tripled. Are you serving a large crowd? No problem. This throw-in-a-bowl style recipe makes it easy to up the quantity, which we highly recommend. Even if you’re only feeding a few, it’s that simple and good that you’ll be wanting seconds…or thirds.