Blueberry Corn Salad: Your Essential Summer Side Dish

Experience the ultimate taste of summer with this Blueberry Corn Salad – a truly seasonally sensational dish! Bursting with the vibrant flavors of plump, juicy blueberries, sweet corn kernels, fresh baby spinach leaves, crunchy candied almonds, and a delightful sprinkle of salty cotija cheese, this salad is guaranteed to become a cherished favorite for both family and friends. It’s not just a side dish; it’s a celebration of summer’s bounty, promising a perfect harmony of sweet and savory notes in every Forkful.

Summer is a season of abundance, particularly when it comes to fresh produce. As someone who appreciates the gifts of nature, there’s nothing quite like indulging in the beautiful fruits and vegetables that this time of year offers. Living in New Jersey, often dubbed the “Garden State,” we are incredibly fortunate to have access to some of the finest crops available. Our dedicated farmers work tirelessly to cultivate exquisite sweet berries, succulent fruits, plump tomatoes, vibrant peppers, and incredibly sweet corn, among countless other delights. This bounty allows us to create truly memorable meals for our loved ones all summer long, and we extend our deepest gratitude to these hard-working individuals and their families.

Why This Blueberry Corn Salad Will Be Your New Summer Obsession

This Blueberry Corn Salad recipe isn’t just easy to make; it’s a vibrant tribute to the freshest flavors of the season. Featuring gorgeous, plump blueberries and our incredibly sweet summer corn, it’s a dish that truly shines. But what makes this summer salad recipe stand out?

Effortless Preparation: Forget complicated culinary endeavors. This easy recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or when you just want a delicious, wholesome meal without the fuss.
Homemade Balsamic Dressing: The accompanying dressing is crafted from just a few simple ingredients, offering a fresh and bright flavor that far surpasses any store-bought alternative. It’s creamy, tangy, and perfectly complements the salad’s components.
A Symphony of Flavors: Prepare your taste buds for an exquisite balance of sweetness and saltiness. The juicy burst of blueberries, the natural sugars of the corn, the satisfying crunch of candied almonds, and the savory tang of cotija cheese create a dynamic flavor profile that is utterly addictive.
Visually Stunning: With its medley of colors—the deep purples of blueberries, the sunny yellows of corn, and the vibrant greens of spinach—this salad is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. It’s sure to be a showstopper on any table.
Healthy & Refreshing: Packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, this salad is a nutritious choice that feels light and incredibly refreshing, especially on a warm summer day. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate more wholesome ingredients into your diet.

Essential Ingredients for Your Summer Blueberry Corn Salad

Crafting this delightful corn salad with blueberries requires a carefully curated selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the salad’s incredible flavor and texture profile.

For the Irresistible Creamy Balsamic Dressing:

Balsamic Vinegar: Provides a sweet and tangy base for the dressing.
Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy texture and richness, balancing the acidity.
Dijon Mustard: Offers a sharp, slightly spicy kick and helps emulsify the dressing.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the dressing with aromatic depth.
Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential for a smooth, flavorful dressing.
Honey: Introduces a touch of natural sweetness to complement the balsamic.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.

For the Vibrant Blueberry Corn Salad:

Sliced Almonds: These will be candied to add a delightful crunch and sweet counterpoint.
Granulated Sugar: Used for candying the almonds, creating a brittle, sweet coating.
Butter: Helps caramelize the almonds and cook the corn to perfection.
Fresh Corn: The star of the salad, offering a sweet, juicy burst. Opt for local, in-season corn for the best flavor.
Blueberries: Plump, fresh blueberries are key for their sweet-tart flavor and vibrant color.
Cotija Cheese: This salty, crumbly cheese provides a fantastic savory balance.
Baby Spinach Leaves: A tender, nutrient-rich base for the salad.

If you’re new to cotija cheese, think of it as a Mexican counterpart to Parmesan or feta. Its wonderfully salty and slightly firm texture makes it an ideal ingredient to offset the natural sweetness of the blueberries, corn, and candied almonds in this refreshing summer salad. It crumbles beautifully, distributing its salty goodness throughout each bite.

The inspiration for this truly delicious blueberry corn salad struck during a memorable visit to a local blueberry farm in Hammonton, New Jersey, alongside my good friends from ShopRite Stores. And let me tell you, there’s absolutely no better place to hand-pick the finest, freshest blueberries than in Hammonton, proudly known as the blueberry capital of the world! This experience truly ignited the vision for a salad that celebrates the peak of summer produce.

Simple Step-By-Step Instructions for Your Blueberry Corn Salad

Creating this flavorful fresh corn salad is straightforward when you follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Balsamic Dressing

This is your first task, and the beauty of it is that the dressing can be prepared several days in advance, allowing you to save time on the day you plan to serve the salad. Simply combine all the dressing ingredients—balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, finely minced garlic, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper—into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dressing is smooth and creamy. Store it in your refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the salad. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 2: Candy the Almonds to Perfection

Next, you’ll create the delightful candied almonds that add a sweet crunch to the salad. In a medium skillet, combine the sliced almonds and granulated sugar. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently. Keep a close eye on them, as the sugar will melt and coat the almonds, turning a beautiful golden brown. This process usually takes just a few minutes. Once lightly browned and fragrant, immediately pour the candied almonds onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely. As they cool, they will harden into a brittle sheet. Once fully cooled, break them into smaller, bite-sized chunks. These sweet, crunchy morsels are a game-changer for the salad’s texture and flavor.

Step 3: Sauté the Sweet Summer Corn

Using a large, sharp knife, carefully cut the fresh corn kernels from the cobs. You should aim for about 3-4 cups of kernels from four ears of corn. In a medium skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the corn kernels to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for about 5-7 minutes. The goal is for the corn to become tender and develop a slight char or light browning, which enhances its natural sweetness and adds a depth of flavor. Once cooked to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat and allow the corn to cool completely before adding it to the salad. This step is crucial for preventing the spinach from wilting prematurely.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve Your Flavorful Salad

Now for the grand assembly! In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach leaves, plump blueberries, cooled cooked corn, crumbled cotija cheese, and a generous portion of your homemade candied almonds. Drizzle some of the creamy balsamic dressing over the ingredients. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all components are evenly coated. Taste and adjust the amount of dressing as desired – some prefer a lighter coating, while others enjoy a more robust dressing. Serve this beautiful blueberry and corn salad immediately, offering extra dressing, cotija cheese, and candied almonds on the side for those who wish to add more. This ensures every bite is as fresh and flavorful as possible.

This blueberry corn salad truly stands out as one of those quintessential perfect summer salads. It elegantly showcases the best of our beautiful, juicy blueberries and the sweet, irresistible taste of fresh corn. The addition of salty cotija cheese provides a fantastic counterpoint to the sweetness, while the sugared almonds introduce an addictively crunchy texture. I am absolutely confident that you are going to fall in love with this unique combination of flavors and textures. It’s a dish that embodies the lightness and joy of summer in every single bite. Don’t hesitate to give this refreshing salad recipe a try!

Please do let me know if you decide to make this recipe! Your feedback is always appreciated. If you have any questions at all about the preparation or ingredients, feel free to drop a comment below. Enjoy this sensational taste of summer!

Expert Cook’s Notes for Your Blueberry Corn Salad Success

To ensure your blueberry and corn salad is absolutely perfect, keep these helpful tips in mind:

Dressing Customization: The amount of creamy balsamic dressing is entirely up to your preference. Start with a moderate amount and add more until you achieve your desired level of coating and flavor saturation. Remember, it’s easier to add more than to take away!
Optimal Serving: For the freshest taste and best texture, always toss the salad with the dressing right before serving. This prevents the spinach from becoming soggy and ensures all ingredients maintain their crispness.
Advance Preparation: The homemade creamy balsamic dressing is an excellent candidate for meal prep. You can easily make it a few days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator. This simple step significantly reduces your prep time on the day you plan to serve the salad.
Ingredient Quality: Always aim for the freshest possible ingredients, especially when it comes to blueberries and corn. In-season produce will deliver the most vibrant flavors.
Candied Almond Care: When candying the almonds, watch them closely as sugar can burn quickly. Stir continuously, and once lightly browned, remove them from the heat immediately.

More Delicious Fruit Recipes to Brighten Your Table

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful summer salad, you might also love exploring these other fruit-filled recipes:

Watermelon Salad with Arugula & Baked Goat Cheese
Peach Corn Caprese Couscous Salad
Chicken Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

Blueberry Corn Salad

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Yields: 4 servings

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This Blueberry Corn Salad is a seasonally sensational summer salad! Loaded with plump, juicy blueberries, corn, spinach leaves, candied almonds and some salty cotija cheese, this salad is a family and friend favorite!

Ingredients

Dressing

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Salad

1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. butter
4 ears fresh corn
1 pint blueberries
1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
4 cups baby spinach leaves

Instructions

Dressing

Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar. Shake vigorously until well combined. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use.

Salad

Add almonds and sugar to a medium skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often until lightly browned. Pour almonds over a sheet of parchment paper and let cool, then break into chunks.
Use a large knife to cut the corn kernels from the cobs. Cook the corn in a medium skillet with the butter over medium heat, stirring often until the corn is tender and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach leaves, blueberries, corn, cotija cheese, and some of the sugared almonds. Add some of the creamy balsamic dressing and toss gently. Serve immediately with extra dressing, cotija cheese, and sugared almonds on the side.

Notes

Feel free to use as much dressing as you prefer and make sure to toss right before serving for optimal freshness.
The dressing can be made a few days ahead of time and stored in your fridge until you’re ready to use.

Keyword: blueberries, corn, summer recipes, healthy salad, easy salad

Cuisine: American

Course: Salad, Side Dish

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