This corn and tomato salad makes use of summer’s bounty of sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and pairs with tangy feta cheese for a delightful side dish! I love using the Instant Pot to cook the corn, because it turns out perfectly every time.

wooden bowl filled with summer corn and tomato salad, where the corn was cooked in the Instant Pot

Beat the heat by bringing this refreshing corn and tomato salad to summer get-togethers or serving it alongside your grilled fare!

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Summer time just beckons us to eat fresh produce, doesn’t it? With gardens bursting with plenty of vegetables and fruits, and with sweltering heat that begs us to leave our ovens off, it’s like our bodies crave cool and refreshing dishes.

I love cold side dishes in the summer! In fact, I often enjoy making a crisp cucumber salad, Italian pasta salad, Instant Pot potato salad, lemon basil pasta salad, honey lime fruit salad, chickpea and edamame salad, or easy macaroni salad on days like these, but perhaps my most favorite is the salad I’m sharing with you today.

This sweet corn and tomato salad is one that Mother Nature would be proud of!

Tender, sweet corn and ripe, juicy tomatoes were made to be enjoyed together. Add some fresh basil, green onions, feta cheese, and a simple vinaigrette to the mix, and it’s a match made in heaven.

It uses the delightful flavor pairing of my fresh corn and basil muffins, but in a refreshing salad!

It’s the perfect Instant Pot side dish to bring to a BBQ, potluck, or family gathering!

wooden bowl filled with corn and tomato salad, made with corn cooked in the Instant Pot

How to Make Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad using the Instant Pot

Ever since I learned how to make Instant Pot corn on the cob, I’ve never cooked it on the stove top again.

Not only does the corn turn out perfectly every time, but it’s so much easier. No waiting for a pot of water to boil, no heating up the kitchen by turning on the stove, etc.

New to the Instant Pot? Check Out These Helpful Resources:

So for this recipe, I’m showing you how to make the salad with corn cooked in the pressure cooker, but if you don’t have one, just boil the corn on the stove top (or grill it, or whatever method you prefer)!

First, you’ll add some water to the insert pot of an Instant Pot. Place the trivet into the insert pot and set some corn on the cob on the trivet.

Close the lid and set the vent to the sealed position. Select a 2 or 3 minute cook time at high pressure (depending on how tender you prefer the corn).

Once the cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure. After the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully open the lid.

Use tongs or other utensil to remove the corn to a cutting board.

While the corn cools a bit, assemble the vinaigrette.

In a mixing bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, green onions, and fresh basil. Stir gently.

Next, carefully cut the kernels off of the cob and add to the mixing bowl, along with the halved tomatoes. Stir gently to combine.

I wait to add the feta cheese until I’m ready to serve. You can definitely serve it right away if you want (I’ve done this when I’m short on time), but I prefer to let it chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours prior to serving.

Right before serving, add the feta and stir gently to combine.

brown bowl filled with summer sweet corn and tomato salad

Notes and Adaptations:

The vinaigrette can be customized according to your tastes–add more or less oil or vinegar, add in more green onions, etc.
You can substitute goat cheese for the feta cheese if preferred.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can boil the corn on the stove top.
I have only ever made this with fresh corn, and I highly recommend that’s what you use. However, if you don’t have access to fresh corn, I would recommend frozen corn before canned corn.

Recommended Equipment:

Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
Mixing Bowl
Chef’s Knife
Cutting Board

Yield: 6 Servings

Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad (using the Instant Pot!)

Name: Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad (using the Instant Pot!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, shucked; 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 Tbsp sliced green onions; 2 Tbsp chiffonade or chopped fresh basil; 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

This sweet corn and tomato salad makes use of summer's bounty for a cool and refreshing side dish! The corn cooks in the Instant Pot, making it quick and easy to throw together on a hot day.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 23 minutes

Ingredients

4 ears fresh corn on the cob, shucked
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp sliced green onions
2 Tbsp chiffonade or chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

In the insert pot of an Instant Pot, add 1 cup of water. Place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
Place the corn on the cob onto the trivet in the insert pot, stacking as needed.
Close the lid and set the vent to the sealed position. Select a cook time of 2 or 3 minutes (depending on how tender you prefer the corn) at high pressure.
Once cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure. After the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove the lid.
Remove the corn with tongs or an oven mitt and set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium serving bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, green onions, and basil.
Cut the corn off the cob and add to the serving bowl, tossing to combine well. Add the halved tomatoes and stir gently to combine.
You can serve immediately, or allow it to chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours prior to serving.
Just before serving, add feta cheese and gently stir to combine.

Notes

The vinaigrette can be customized according to your tastes--add more or less of the ingredients according to your taste.

You can substitute goat cheese for the feta cheese if preferred.

If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can boil the corn on the stove top.

I have only ever made this with fresh corn, and I highly recommend that's what you use. However, if you don't have access to fresh corn, I would recommend frozen corn before canned corn.