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Fresh Blueberry Corn Salsa in a glass bowl with tortilla chips and lime.
Layla

Blueberry Corn Salsa

Sweet summer corn and juicy blueberries collide with jalapeño heat and lime brightness for a salsa that steals the show at every cookout.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Calories: 85

Ingredients
  

Produce
  • 2 cups fresh corn kernels cut from about 3 large ears, raw or lightly grilled
  • 1.5 cups fresh blueberries picked over, halved if large
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced small
  • 1 medium jalapeño seeded for less heat, minced
  • 0.25 cup red onion finely diced, rinsed under cold water
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
Dressing
  • 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed, about 1 large lime
  • 0.5 tsp lime zest
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Microplane or fine grater

Method
 

Prep the Vegetables
  1. If using raw corn, slice kernels from cobs with a sharp knife, then scrape the back of your knife against the cob to extract the milky juices. If grilling, brush shucked ears with oil and char over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, turning frequently, until lightly blackened in spots. Let cool, then cut kernels. Halve any blueberries larger than a dime so they distribute evenly and don't roll off your chip.
  2. Place diced red onion in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for 30 seconds. This tames the raw bite while keeping the crunch. Shake well to dry.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, honey, salt, and pepper until the honey dissolves completely. Taste and adjust - the dressing should be bright and slightly sweet to balance the corn.
  4. Add corn, blueberries, bell pepper, jalapeño, and rinsed onion to the bowl. Toss gently with a rubber spatula to coat evenly without crushing the berries. Fold in cilantro last so it stays vibrant green.
  5. Let salsa sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, or refrigerate up to 2 hours. The salt will draw out juices and the flavors will meld. Taste again before serving - corn sweetness varies, so you may need a pinch more salt or squeeze of lime. Serve with sturdy tortilla chips, over grilled fish, or spooned onto tacos.

Notes

For the best texture, make this the day you plan to serve it - blueberries soften and bleed after about 4 hours. If you only have frozen corn, thaw completely and pat very dry; excess moisture will dilute the dressing. No fresh corn? Good-quality canned corn (drained and rinsed) works in a pinch, though the salsa loses some of its summery crunch.