Shrimp, Summer Corn and Tomato Salad

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I originally saw a recipe on EatingWell for a corn and tomato salad and used that as my inspiration for this salad. My addition of spicy shrimp, turned this into a full and delicious meal. This shrimp, summer corn and tomato salad now makes regular appearances at summer events, as do some of my other favorite shrimp salads like jicama, apple, carrot, and shrimp salad and my shrimp, lemon, dill & orzo salad. You are going to want to try those too!

How to make shrimp, summer corn and tomato salad

Add the vinegar, salt and black pepper into a small jar with a lid and shake vigorously to mix. Put to the side.
Cut the corn kernels off the ear of corn with a sharp knife and put in a bowl. (This yields about 2 1/2 – 3 cups.).

Add in the tomatoes, mozzarella pearls and scallions. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat. Cover and let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Toss the shrimp with the teaspoon of olive oil and the jerk or cajun seasoning in a bowl. Spray a non-stick grill pan with cooking spray and add the shrimp. Cook over a medium high heat for about 2 minutes then flip. Cook for another 1 – 2 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through.

Top the corn and tomato salad with the shrimp and all but a a few whole basil leaves and mix in. Garnish the salad with the whole basil leaves. Enjoy!

Pro tips for making this shrimp, summer corn and tomato salad:

. To steady the ears of corn when cutting the kernals off, put a small clean dish towel in the bowl and place the ear of corn on it. When finished cutting all the kernals, remove the towel. This will keep the ear from slipping. I also use a deep bowl with high sides to keep the corn from flying around.

. Fresh summer corn is the way to go with this salad. You aren’t cooking the corn, so fresh is best and nothing beats it. So for me, I keep this recipe for summertime entertaining. It holds up well and travels well too. If you must, use frozen corn and let it thaw before adding to the salad.

. You can serve the shrimp warm, at room temperature or cold. I’ve made this on a Sunday and have had it for several lunches during the week.

. If you can’t find Mozzarella pearls (they are really tiny and usually come all together is a wrapped ball in your cheese department), use cherry mozzarella balls and cut them into four or buy a regular sized ball of mozzarella and dice it up. All work just fine.

. Buy the freshest cherry or grape tomatoes you can fine. I use cherry tomatoes on the vine that are just fabulous.

. For the dressing, I used champagne vinegar but the original recipe used white wine vinegar so use what you have on hand.

. The last note is regarding the shrimp. I used a Caribbean jerk spice on my shrimp, but a cajun spice also works for a little heat. Not a fan of those spices? Just salt and pepper them for a milder flavor. This is completely up to you. I grilled them on an indoor grill pan that is perfect for cooking these shrimp. If grilled outdoors, I’d skewer them first to keep them from falling through the grates.

Top FAQs for Shrimp, Corn, Tomato & Mozzarella Salad

1. Should I use raw or cooked corn?

Fresh summer corn is preferred, and you can use it either raw (cut straight from the cob) or blanched/grilled. Fresh summer corn is the way to go with this salad though some recipes call for briefly blanching the corn to make it more tender. You could also grill the corn first, and then add to the salad for a smokey grilled flavor that works great with the grilled shrimp.

2. How do I properly cook the shrimp?

The shrimp should be cooked until just pink and opaque. Shrimp that’s already been cleaned saves you prep time, but if you have only shell-on shrimp, you’ll need to peel and devein them first. Most recipes recommend quickly sautéing or grilling the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side.

3. What size mozzarella should I use?

Mini mozzarella balls soak up tons of flavor from an olive oil and balsamic vinegar marinade. Small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or cherry-sized fresh mozzarella work best as they’re bite-sized and distribute evenly throughout the salad.

4. How do I cut corn kernels safely from the cob?

To steady the ears of corn when cutting the kernels off, put a small clean dish towel in the bowl and place the ear of corn on it. Use a deep bowl with high sides to prevent kernels from flying around, and cut with a sharp knife in downward strokes.

5. How long should the salad marinate?

Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together, especially important for the mozzarella to absorb the dressing.

6. What's the best dressing for this salad?

Most recipes use a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, fresh herbs (especially basil), and seasonings. An olive oil and balsamic vinegar marinade flavored with fresh basil and garlic is particularly popular.

7. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, but add delicate ingredients like fresh herbs and mozzarella closer to serving time. The corn, tomatoes, and shrimp base can be prepared several hours ahead and kept refrigerated.

8. What type of tomatoes work best?

Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are most commonly used because they’re bite-sized and hold their shape well. They also provide bursts of sweetness that complement the other ingredients perfectly.