This Easy Frito Corn Salad Recipe is the perfect side dish for summer cookouts and backyard barbecues. With its creamy dressing, colorful vegetables, and crunchy Fritos corn chips, it’s sure to be a hit!
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Frito corn salad is a great recipe to have in your pocket for those last-minute side dish moments any time of year, but we particularly like it in warm weather. It’s been a Midwest staple side dish at family cookouts and summer gatherings for years.
Quick to make, full of flavor, and loved by everyone, this simple yet delicious potluck salad combines sweet corn, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese with a creamy dressing, making it a delightful addition to any summer spread.
Whether you’re serving it with burgers, hot dogs, or BBQ chicken, this side dish is sure to impress!
For more great (if slightly less traditional) salad recipes that are a little different than the norm, be sure to check out my Dorito Taco Salad, Curried Chicken Salad, and this Peach Panzanella Salad!
Why We Love This Recipe
- The vibrant colors and fresh flavors make this easy salad a perfect summer side dish!
- It’s a great way to use canned corn and beans, making it a pantry-friendly option for those last-minute sides.
- With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up this salad in no time.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
For the Salad
- Sweet Corn – Provides the base of the salad with its sweet and juicy kernels. I use canned sweetcorn for ease but you can use fresh corn if you have it or frozen corn that has been thawed and drained.
- Black Beans – Adds protein and a hearty texture. Kidney beans or pinto beans can be used instead if you prefer.
- Rotel Chopped Tomatoes – Adds a bit of heat, flavor, and substance to the salad. Regular diced tomatoes can be used for a milder option.
- Bell Pepper – Adds color and a slight crunch. I used a green bell pepper but you can use your favorite color.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese provides a creamy and tangy element. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack can also be used.
- Fritos – I use regular Fritos to add the essential crunch to this salad. Chili Cheese Fritos or plain tortilla chips can be substituted.
Dressing
- Sour Cream – For the base of the creamy dressing. Greek yogurt or mayo can be substituted.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Adds richness and helps blend the dressing.
- Seasoning – Use a mixture of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin for a punch of flavor.
How to Make Fritos Corn Salad
- Combine ingredients for dressing. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients in the dressing list.
- Mix until smooth. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Make salad. In a large bowl, combine corn, beans, Rotel, bell pepper, and cheese.
- Add dressing. Top the salad with the homemade dressing.
- Stir and add Fritos. Gently stir to combine the salad and dressing mixture, then add the Fritos just before serving.
- Gently mix. Fold the Fritos into the salad mixture to avoid breaking them. Do this just before serving the salad to maintain the Fritos crunchy texture.
Recipe FAQ’s
Prepare the salad and the dressing separately and combine them with the Fritos just before serving, or even combine the dressing and salad beforehand but add the Fritos before serving.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as you will end up with soggy Fritos if you store it all mixed in. The salad and dressing without the Fritos corn chips will last for up to 2 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Tips for Success
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. A little extra lime juice can brighten the flavors if needed!
- To maintain the crunchy texture of the Fritos, add them just before serving. If making ahead, store the Fritos separately.
- Before serving leftovers, give the salad a good stir and add a bit more dressing if needed to refresh the flavors.
What to Serve at Your Summer Cookout
We love our summer cookouts with family and friends, so it’s no surprise that we have so many favorite recipes for each course.
For mains, try Cornell Chicken, Sriracha Mayo Marinated Lamb Chops, BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwiches, Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs or these Coney Island Hot Dogs.
We’re also big fans of having a variety of sides to choose from.
Try a side of French Fries or my Baked Sweet Potato Fries, with these Bacon Baked Beans, Crispy Onion Rings, and my Homemade Creamy Coleslaw!
Some of my favorite summer desserts are my Red, White, and Blue Popsicles, Peach Ice Cream, Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes, or this Summer Fruit Salad.
For drinks, you need to try my Watermelon Lemonade, Homemade Hawaiian Punch, and my Copycat Orange Julius.
Checkout my Father’s Day Barbecue Meal Plan for even more delicious BBQ menu ideas!
Substitutions and Variations
- Colby Jack or Monterey Jack cheese would also work well with the flavors of this salad.
- Add some chili seasoning, spicy taco seasoning, hot sauce, or chopped jalapenos for an extra little kick!
- Use Greek yogurt or mayonnaise instead of sour cream if you prefer it, or use my Homemade Ranch Dressing for a different flavor.
Frito Corn Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans sweet corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel, drained
- 1 bell pepper, diced (red, green, or yellow)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (9.25-ounce) bag Fritos
Dressing
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients in the dressing list.
- Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
- In a large bowl, combine corn, beans, Rotel, bell pepper, and cheese.
- Top the salad with the homemade dressing.
- Gently stir to combine the salad and dressing mixture, then add the Fritos just before serving.
- Fold the Fritos into the salad mixture to avoid breaking them. Do this just before serving the salad to maintain the Fritos crunchy texture.
Notes
- Store: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as you will end up with soggy Fritos if you store it all mixed in. The salad and dressing without the Fritos corn chips will last for up to 2 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the salad and the dressing separately and combine them with the Fritos just before serving, or even combine the dressing and salad beforehand but add the Fritos before serving.
Nutrition
More Delicious Salad Recipes
- Texas Cowboy Caviar
- Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
- Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad
- Grilled Corn Salad
- BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad
