Name: Super Simple Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 bags Frozen corn, thawed out; 2 Jalapenos, seeds and veins removed (use one depending on level of spiciness); ¼ cup Red onion diced; ¼ cup Lime juice; 2 tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon Ground cumin; 1 teaspoon Salt, more to taste; ½ teaspoon Black pepper

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This corn salsa is a delicious copycat recipe for the Chipotle side dish. Chipotle corn salsa is fresh, flavorful, and vibrant; a tasty side for tortilla chips, burrito bowls, tacos, and more!

If you love this copycat recipe, try my Easy Chipotle Black Beans Recipe next.

a bowl of Chipotle corn salsa on a platter with tortilla chips and sliced lime

This Chipotle corn salsa is one of the easiest recipes to recreate at home. Whenever I order something off the Chipotle menu, I have to get a side of chips and corn salsa. So naturally, I wanted to recreate this plant-based recipe at home with my own little twist.

The original recipe uses roasted poblano peppers and fresh jalapenos. But we’re swapping the smoky flavor for a more tangy taste by using only diced jalapenos. It pairs well with the naturally sweet corn, for a mouthwatering side dish.

overhead view of a bowl of Chipotle corn salsa on a platter with tortilla chips and sliced lime

Why you will love Chipotle Corn Salsa:

Quick & Easy! This no-cook recipe takes just 20 minutes to make. We use frozen corn instead of fresh corn for added convenience. Simply thaw, chop, and mix!

Flavorful! This recipe uses fresh ingredients. (Even the frozen corn is flash-frozen at peak freshness for amazing texture and taste.) The salsa is spicy and citrusy, with a pop of herby flavor.

Versatile! Use this salsa as a snack, appetizer, or side. We’ll go over some of the best ways to serve it.

corn salsa on a platter with tortilla chips

Ingredients for this Corn Salsa Recipe

To make Chipotle corn salsa, you will need the following ingredients:

Frozen corn: Believe it or not, Chipotle also uses frozen corn. Just thaw them before mixing.
Jalapenos: Remove seeds and veins (use one depending on the desired level of spiciness).
Red onion: Add diced onions for a sharp, pungent flavor.
Lime juice: Use this for a bright citrus flavor.
Cilantro: Finely chopped fresh cilantro is essential for an herbaceous taste.
Seasoning: Enhance the flavor with ground cumin, salt to taste, and black pepper.

two small bowls containing red onion and cilantro

diced peppers and a sliced lime on a cutting board

How to Make Chipotle Corn Salsa

Drain and rinse the thawed corn under cold running water to ensure it is completely thawed. Then shake off as much liquid as possible and transfer the corn to a bowl with a lid.

Next, remove the stems, seeds, and veins of the jalapenos. Dice them finely and add them to the bowl with the corn. If you prefer a milder salsa, only use one jalapeno.

Then add the diced red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.

a hand squeezing lime juice over fresh salsa ingredients

Use a spoon to thoroughly mix all the ingredients until well combined.

Serve the salsa immediately for the freshest flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

What to Serve with Corn Salsa

There’s a reason why this Chipotle corn salsa recipe is so popular. It goes well with everything!

Use it as a topping in rice bowls, tacos, or burritos. Use it as a dip and scoop it up with crunchy tortilla chips. Upgrade a boring salad by adding this.

Tips and Variations

If you prefer to use fresh corn, cook it then cut the corn from the cob before mixing.
You can use lemon juice in place of lime juice or use both, just like the original Chipotle recipe.
Feel free to substitute the jalapenos with bell peppers for a milder spice, or serrano chiles to up the heat.
Finely chop the onions, jalapenos, and cilantro so everything is well mixed for flavor in each bite.
If time permits, make this salsa at least 1 hour before serving it. This gives the flavors the chance to meld.

FAQ

Chipotle’s corn salsa recipe is made with white corn, poblano peppers, jalapenos, lemon juice, lime juice, salt, and cilantro.

Chipotle uses white sweet corn for their salsa.

The three main types of salsa are salsa roja, salsa verde, and pico de gallo. Salsa roja is a red sauce usually made with tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro. Salsa verde is a green sauce made with tomatillos, green chili peppers, onions, and cilantro, while pico de gallo is a fresh, mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapenos, and lime juice.

This salsa lasts up to 1 week when properly stored in an airtight container.

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4 cups