I have been eating this spicy corn cucumber salad since summer began. Let me start by saying that. I AM IN LOVE.
Like my keto cucumber avocado salad, this salad is a mood changer. The best part is that it can be eaten with pretty much anything.
You can eat it by itself, with some protein of choice, or as a side with a plate of rice. And the cool thing about this dish is that it requires no dressing!
So, for my calorie-counting besties out there who freak out at the excessive calories in many dressings, you can rest assured that this will not throw your daily intake off track.
Here are The Spicy Corn Cucumber Salad Ingredients
Cucumber: You will need at most three fresh cucumbers.
Tomato: For this recipe, you will need about three Roma tomatoes. However, you can also use two handfuls of baby tomatoes.
Onions: Red onions work best for this salad. You will need a large one.
Jalapenos: This gives the corn cucumber salad a spicy kick that takes it to another level. I typically use about three jalapenos but feel free to add as many or as little, depending on your spice preference.
Corn: You will need about a cup of this. You can use frozen, canned, or fresh corn. However, I like to char it on a skillet to bring out its natural sweetness before mixing it with the rest of the salad.
Cilantro: The flavor cilantro adds to this dish is amazing. You will need to chop up one bunch of cilantro.
Avocado: We can’t forget this one, can we? Avocado gives this salad a nice creamy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients. You will need just two avocados.
Seasonings: Cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper will add flavor and a spicy kick to this dish.
How to make spicy corn cucumber salad
This salad is super quick to prepare. However, I recommend purchasing a vegetable chopper to make the preparation easier. Follow these steps to ensure you get a great-tasting corn-cucumber salad.
Step 1: Chop your vegetables
Begin by finely chopping your cucumber, tomato, onions, jalapeños, avocado, and cilantro into bite-sized pieces. Place all the chopped ingredients into a large bowl.
Step 2: Char the corn
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are evenly charred and slightly blistered, usually about 5-10 minutes, depending on whether you’re using frozen, fresh, or canned corn.
Once charred, let the kernels cool slightly before adding them to your bowl.
Step 3: Add the spices
Add the following spices to the bowl with your chopped vegetables and charred corn: a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of cumin, half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and a teaspoon of black pepper.
Gently toss everything together to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Serve your spicy corn cucumber salad
Now, all you have to do is serve without whatever your heart desires. You can eat it as a side salad, with a protein of choice, or with some rice. The decision is up to you.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Corn Cucumber Salad
There’s no reason not to love this Spicy Corn Cucumber Salad.
The smoky, charred corn adds sweetness we all love in corn, while the cucumber and tomatoes bring a nice crunchy texture.
The jalapeños give it the right kick, and the avocado’s creaminess perfectly balances it out.
Lastly, the fresh cilantro ties all the flavors together, and the seasoning adds another layer of flavor.
Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, making it a perfect accompaniment for any meal.
Variations to Try
If you’re feeling experimental and up to it, there are several ways to customize this dish.
Add a protein of choice: This is one of my favorite ways to consume this salad. You can pair it with shredded chicken, baked salmon, or tofu, making this meal balanced.
Add extra ingredients: If you feel up to it, add veggies like carrots, chickpeas, black beans, or quinoa. The choice is yours.
Adjust spice levels: The great thing about this dish is that you can adjust the spice level to your preference. If you aren’t a spicy food lover, please omit the jalapenos and cayenne pepper for a mild flavor. However, if heat is your thing, you can rack up as much spice as your heart desires.
FAQs About This Corn Cucumber Salad
How to Store Leftovers
To store leftovers, refrigerate the salad in an airtight container. I recommend consuming it within 2-3 days to keep the ingredients fresh and crisp. If the salad has avocado, you might want to add it just before serving to prevent it from browning over time.
Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time! Prepare all the ingredients and mix them except for the avocado.
Store the mixed ingredients in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, add the avocado and toss the salad to combine everything.
This way, the avocado stays fresh, and the flavors have time to come together.
Spicy Corn Cucumber Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers - chopped
- 3 roma tomatoes - chopped (or 2 handfuls of baby tomatoes, halved)
- 1 red onion - large
- 3 jalapeños - finely chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels - fresh, frozen or canned; charred on a skillet
- 1 bunch cilantro - chopped
- 2 avocados - diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Begin by chopping the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Then, chop the Roma tomatoes. Next, finely chop the red onion and jalapeños, adjusting the amount based on your spice preference. Chop the cilantro and dice the avocados.
- To char the corn, heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup of corn kernels to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are evenly charred and slightly blistered, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños, charred corn, cilantro, and avocados.
- Add salt, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the bowl. Gently toss everything together to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. If making ahead of time, add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Spicy Corn Cucumber Salad!
