Crack Corn Salad Recipe
Crack Corn Salad is a creamy, savory summer side dish featuring sweet corn, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy ranch dressing. This chilled salad is easy to prepare in advance, perfect for barbecues, picnics, and potlucks, with a perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups cooked corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked, chopped bacon
- 3 green onions, chopped
Dressing
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (1-oz) packet ranch dressing mix
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked corn kernels, shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon, and chopped green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together to combine thoroughly and evenly coat all the ingredients.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to develop its signature taste.
- Season and Serve: Before serving, taste the salad and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve chilled as a refreshing and flavorful side dish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream for the full-fat versions.
- Use turkey bacon or omit bacon entirely for a vegetarian option.
- Add a diced jalapeño or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Incorporate diced red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, or avocado cubes for extra freshness and nutrition; add avocado just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Mix in fresh herbs like cilantro, chives, or parsley for a brighter flavor.
- To make a southwestern style salad, add black beans, chopped red onion, and chili powder.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge; best consumed within 3–4 days.
- Stir well before serving if the dressing has settled after chilling.
Keywords: Crack Corn Salad, Creamy Corn Salad, Summer Side Dish, BBQ Side, Picnic Salad, Bacon Corn Salad, Ranch Dressing Salad, Make-Ahead Salad
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/crack-corn-salad-recipe/
