This addictive Chipotle Corn Salsa is a perfect accompaniment to any Mexican food. Sweet roasted corn makes a perfect pairing with smoky chipotle peppers. Such an amazing and fresh side dish recipe for summer gatherings or Cinco de Mayo!
I love corn season because you can make so many different dishes with it. My favorites are Grilled Corn on the Cob with avocado dill dressing, Vegan Corn Chowder, Zucchini Corn Fritters, Chipotle’s Copycat Sofritas and Mexican Chopped Salad.
I love that corn gives a lovely crunch and a nice sweet note to anything you put it into. But you can’t beat corn in Mexican cuisine! It’s truly irreplaceable.
This chipotle corn salsa was inspired (who would have thought?) by my recent trip to the UK. I spent an amazing week traveling around, eating, meeting people and enjoying life.
One of the highlights of the trip was a Mexican street food workshop at Jamie Oliver Cookery School in London. This was an unforgettable experience! I learned so much and had a lot of fun.
We made authentic Mexican tacos with hand-pressed corn tortillas and lots of toppings. Smashing avocados for guacamole with my bare hands was truly unforgettable 🙂
One of the toppings we made was a spicy roasted corn salsa that inspired this recipe for chipotle corn salsa.
Why Make Chipotle Corn Salsa
Chipotle peppers give a distinctive smoky and spicy touch to the food. They are just a perfect addition to all things Mexican food!
This chipotle corn salsa is a perfect combination of flavors. Sweet corn, pungent onions and scallions, bitter parsley, sour lime juice and smoky and astringent chipotle peppers in adobo sauce make this salsa exceptionally delicious.
It is crunchy, fresh and deliciously smoky. Just a perfect accompaniment to any Mexican food you like!
You can’t go wrong with the way you serve it. It’s great on top of vegan tempeh tacos, grilled zucchini and corn tacos, veggie fajitas, with homemade whole wheat tortillas, with nachos and tortilla chips, in burritos and quesadillas, enchiladas, burrito bowls (recipe coming soon!) or in salads. You can even top your chili or this delicious vegan corn chowder with it!
How to Make Chipotle Corn Salsa
You will need fresh corn (use canned or frozen if you can’t get the fresh one), diced red onions, chopped scallions, chopped parsley, minced chipotles in adobo sauce, lime juice, olive oil, salt and black pepper.
You can substitute cilantro for parsley (I even encourage you to) but since I live in a cilantro unfriendly household, I use parsley.
A great thing about this recipe is that you can adjust the amount of spiciness and sourness. Add more chipotles if you like it hot and more lime juice for an extra zest. Same with onions and parsley. The amounts I used are down below in the recipe card but you can feel free to experiment.
You would need 2 large ears of corn or 2 1/2 cups frozen or canned corn. Start by cutting corn kernels off the cob into a large bowl. Next step is to heat a wide frying pan and to dry roast your corn for 7-10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Alternatively, you can use grilled corn. In this case, skip the roasting and follow the next steps.
Once the corn is golden and got a little color, let it cool a bit. Add diced red onions, scallions, parsley, minced chipotles in adobo sauce, a splash of lime juice, extra virgin olive oil to bring it all together and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir and serve immediately.
Cook’s Tips
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can serve the salsa warm or cold. To reheat, warm it in the microwave for up to a minute.
- Enjoy this chipotle corn salsa on top of tacos, with homemade whole wheat tortillas, with nachos and tortilla chips, on top of chili, in burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burrito bowls, in Mexican-inspired salads or with pretty much any Mexican food!
Recipe Variations
- Instead of fresh corn, you can use canned or frozen (and thawed) corn. To replace 1 ear fresh corn you’ll need about 2 1/2 cups canned or frozen corn.
- Alternatively, you can use grilled corn. In this case, skip the roasting.
- You can substitute cilantro for parsley or use both.
- Add more chipotles if you like your salsa hot and more lime juice for an extra zest.
I created a video for you to make this recipe even easier. If you can’t see the video, disable your AdBlock for this page by clicking on the AdBlock button and selecting Don’t run on this page. Hope it helps!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating! That would mean a lot to me 🙂
Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ears fresh corn or 2.5 cups frozen or canned corn. Alternatively, use grilled corn
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 2 sprigs scallions chopped
- 3 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by cutting corn kernels off the cob into a large bowl. Heat a wide frying pan and dry roast your corn for 7-10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Skip the roasting if you are using grilled corn.
- Once the corn is golden and got a little color, let it cool a bit. Add diced red onions, chopped scallions, chopped parsley, minced chipotles in adobo sauce, a splash of lime juice, extra virgin olive oil to bring it all together and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir and serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy!
Notes
Cook’s Tips
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can serve the salsa warm or cold. To reheat, warm it in the microwave for up to a minute.
- Enjoy this chipotle corn salsa on top of vegan tacos, with homemade whole wheat tortillas, with nachos and tortilla chips, on top of chili, in burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burrito bowls, in Mexican-inspired salads or with pretty much any Mexican food!
Recipe Variations
- Instead of fresh corn, you can use canned or frozen (and thawed) corn. To replace 1 ear fresh corn you’ll need about 2 1/2 cups canned or frozen corn.
- Alternatively, you can use grilled corn. In this case, skip the roasting.
- You can substitute cilantro for parsley or use both.
- Add more chipotles if you like your salsa hot and more lime juice for an extra zest.
Gabriel
Sunday 1st of October 2023
I've been scouring the recipe sites for a worthwhile use for chipotle in adobo sauce.. I landed here, tried the recipe you've generously shared and was pleasantly impressed. Mild to medium spice, great blend of distinctive flavors... great side for taco night. Much appreciated.
Elena Szeliga
Wednesday 4th of October 2023
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Gabriel! Thank you for stopping by to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
Jane
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
WOW! I love this salsa! Roasted corn tastes so good
Elena Szeliga
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
It does, doesn't it? Thank you for the feedback!
Helena
Tuesday 21st of May 2019
Delicious appetizer that is perfect for any gathering really! I love corn, so I can't wait to try your way of using it!
Elena Szeliga
Tuesday 21st of May 2019
If you love corn, you'll be impressed by this salsa for sure :)