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Jun 3, 2023

Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa

This Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa is so easy to make and is perfect as a cocktail hour appetizer at the end of a hot summer day. The salsa is both smoky and spicy, and is wonderful with barbecue or carne asada.

Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa with chips in a bowl.



Combine fresh tomatoes, corn, and some pureed chiles in adobo into a quick and easy salsa at a moment's notice.  

With the hot summer evenings not too far around the corner, add this refreshing appetizer to your rotation to take advantage of all of the fresh sweet corn and tomatoes that are available. 

Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa in a bowl surrounded by corn chips in a bigger bowl.


Not only is this salsa delicious with grueso-style (thick) corn chips, it's wonderful added to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and taco salads. You can even use it as an easy topping for seafood and chicken. It adds so much flavor. 

Ingredient Notes and Tips:

For the corn, if you can, use fresh corn. Yes, you can eat raw corn! If you can't find fresh sweet corn, or you don't want to make another trip to the store, frozen corn will also work just fine. Just thaw it on paper towels to absorb the extra moisture as it is thawing. 

For the tomatoes, my favorite grocery store type is Campari. They are a little smaller and are usually sold on the vine. To me, they are much more flavorful than other tomatoes. Of course, if you grow your own, or have a local farmer's market with great tomatoes, definitely use those. 

If you don't have good "regular-sized" tomatoes, you can always chop up some cherry or grape tomatoes, which are also much more flavorful. 

To intensify the flavor of the tomatoes, chop them and then toss them in a collander with salt and let them drain. It makes a huge difference. 

I usually keep a can or two of chipotles in adobo sauce on hand because it is so tasty. I dump the entire can (it's a small can) into a mini food processor or puree the mixture with an immersion blender and then keep the mixture in the fridge to add to quesadillas, beans, tacos, burritos, and scrambled eggs. The mixture also adds a wonderful smokiness to guacamole.

Along with the tomatoes, corn, and chipotles, you will need fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and some salt and pepper to taste. Just toss everything together and serve!

Two Tom Collins Cocktails.


Since you're probably serving this salsa during cocktail hour on a hot summer day, as a bonus, I chose this refreshing Meyer Lemon Tom Collins to go with the salsa. 

It helps that we inherited a raggedy Meyer lemon tree that is really old and was grafted way back in the day. Some of the lemons on part of the tree are all pith and perfect for zest, and the lemons in another section are great for juice! We hope it holds out. 

This cocktail is refreshing and thirst quenching, and not at all like the sticky sweet concoction made with store-bought Tom Collins mixer. 

P.S. If you don't have Meyer lemons, any lemon will do. Save the zest from the lemons to make shortbread cookies!

Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa in a bowl surrounded by corn chips.


Equipment You May Need:

My favorite tool for stripping corn from the cob is the one from OXO. If you don't have one, just use a very sharp chef's knife

Recipe Variations:

For the salsa, you could add some cilantro, black beans, and/or chopped red onion. You could also add more corn to suit your taste. 

You could also add a little cotija cheese to the mix. 

For the cocktail, instead of gin, you could make it with vodka. 

More Corn Recipes You May Also Enjoy:

Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn

Cheesy Corn Casserole with Sage

Roasted Corn and Zucchini Salad

Corn Maque Choux with Hot Smoked Sausage

Mexican Street Corn Salad

For more corn recipes, be sure to type "corn" into the search box and check out the rest of the recipes. 


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Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa in a bowl with chips surrounding it.



Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa Recipe Plus a Meyer Lemon Tom Collins

Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa Recipe Plus a Meyer Lemon Tom Collins
Yield: 8 Servings
Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories
Prep time: 15 MinInactive time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min
This Tomato and Corn Chipotle Salsa is so easy to make and is perfect as a cocktail hour appetizer at the end of a hot summer day. The salsa is both smoky and spicy, and is wonderful with barbecue or carne asada.

Ingredients

For the Salsa
  • 1 cup diced Campari tomatoes (see note)
  • 3/4 cup whole raw corn kernels
  • 3 tablespoons blended chipotles in adobo
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • freshly ground salt and pepper to taste
For the Tom Collins (Serves Two)
  • 3 ounces gin
  • 3 ounces juice from Meyer lemons
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ice
  • Chilled club soda
  • Two Meyer lemon slices

Instructions

To Make the Salsa
  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix. You can serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
To Make the Cocktail (Serves Two)
  1. Combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar in a small measuring cup and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Fill two highball glasses with ice.
  3. Divide the gin/lemon/sugar mixture between two glasses and fill each glass with the club soda.
  4. Garnish with lemon slices.

Notes

To intensify the flavor of the tomatoes, about 20 minutes before assembling the salsa, chop them and then toss the tomatoes in a collander with salt and let them drain.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

94

Fat (grams)

0 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

0 g

Carbs (grams)

11 g

Fiber (grams)

1 g

Net carbs

10 g

Sugar (grams)

1 g

Protein (grams)

0 g

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg

Nutritional information is for the salsa only, and does not include the cocktail or chips. Chips are typically about 140 calories per serving.

salsa, chipotle, tomatoes, corn
Appetizer
Mexican
Did you make this recipe?
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Would you like to comment?

  1. Wow, I love your idea of blending the whole can of chipotles--such a great tip. Both these recipes look great. Also, send me all your extra Meyer lemons! :)

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  2. Fabulous - a zingy, summery salsa, corn chips and a beautiful lemony Tom Collins - seems like the perfect way to spend a summer evening.
    Sue

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  3. Great alternative to regular salsa or guacamole for a starter - although I must say I would love some of it spread over grilled chicken breasts too ;-)

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    Replies
    1. I definitely agree. I just had it in a chicken taco and it was great!

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  4. Nothing better on a hot summer night than a cold drink and a spicy app. Great pick this month!!

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  5. I can picture myself out of the deck, sipping on your Tom Collins recipe while munching on this beautiful corn salsa. Life is good :)
    Renee - Kudos Kitchen

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  6. I want to come to your house for happy hour! These both sound perfect for a hot afternoon! Awesome pick this month :)

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  7. Thanks for visiting us this month and great choices! It has been way too long since I have made either recipe, and I think I will have to do just that now :)

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    Replies
    1. Love your blog Kelsey. Thanks for the great recipes!!

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  8. Wow does that look like summer in a bowl! Great SRC pick!

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  9. Totally up my alley! I love chipotle sauce in adobo - and I do exactly what you do with it :-) Great pick this month!!

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  10. Ok the salsa looks good but that drink.... LOOKS AMAZING!!! Why is it only Monday!? Great picks!

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  11. Can it be 5 o'clock? I love the appetizer and drink combo. Perfect for summer time fun. Happy Reveal Day!

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  12. Looks and sounds so refreshing! I could have this for dinner. :)

    I'll have to give this drink a try - I'm a fan of gin and tonic, but this sounds even better!

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    Replies
    1. I'm a total G&T person Cathy, and this is a great substitute!

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  13. Great recipes, I can't wait try try the salsa.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Rachel! I'm pretty sure you'll like it.

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  14. Perfect summer recipes - great SRC pick this month! I love corn salsa and will have to give this a go.

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  15. WOW Karen! STUNNING photos and a WONDERFUL SRC recipe too - so summery and very tasty looking! Karen

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  16. Oh wow Karen, you have an fabulous blog here! I can't wait to try so many of these recipes you have here! Your dishes look exquisite!!!

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  17. Shared with my followers at https://www.facebook.com/CulinaryAdventuresWithCamilla. Thanks for sharing. It looks fresh and amazing.

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  18. Beautiful photos! This looks delicious

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  19. Salsa and a cocktail? I love it!

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  20. Two perfectly complimentary summery goodies!! Great picks this month! Yumm....

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  21. You could send me some meyer lemons!! This salsa would be great for Cinco de Mayo celebrations!! I love meyer lemons, sounds awesome in a tom collins!

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  22. I've just recently gotten on the mixed drinks bandwagon, so this Tom Collins recipe is a great one for me to try. And the salsa is perfect for any season. I have some frozen corn that would work fine, but I'll bet the recipe will really shine when corn comes into season in a couple of months. The best part of this post for me is your tip about processing chilies in adobo and keeping them for adding to various dishes. I often have an open can, refrigerated, but I get intimidated by them. If they were processed into a sauce, I could just add a spot or more when the mood hit. Why didn't I think of that myself. Duh (as my kids would say)!

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  23. Hi Karen..Remember me from BFC?..I love love love the drink. Finally did the round up on my blog.. Thanks so much! Can't wait to make it :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Swayampurna! Love the roundup!! It would be perfect in your hot humid summers!

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  24. This salsa recipe is gonna be great for my family!

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  25. I rarely have corn in my salsa but I love it, especially in the summer.

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  26. I love that this has tomatoes. So many corn salsas leave them out and I need my veggies!

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  27. Yummy salsa! This is a perfect one to enjoy all through the summer.

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  28. That is one hearty looking salsa! I love all the chunks and flavors in there.

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