Frito Corn Salad
on Aug 24, 2024, Updated Jan 24, 2025
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Now, you’ve probably seen the viral Frito Corn Salad take the internet by storm 🌪️. I was extremely hesitant when I first saw it, but I had to give this trend a try because, as The Modern Nonna, I pledge to try whatever weird trend breaks the internet to spare you all from heartbreak and heartburn 🫡.
With that being said, this Frito Corn Salad actually SLAPPED! Although it’s more of a party dip than a salad, in my opinion, it’s worth the hype and definitely worth a try!
Why You’ll Love Frito Corn Salad
This Frito Corn Salad has all the right components; it’s creamy, crunchy, savoury and tangy! The diced bell peppers and sweet corn 🌽 give this salad the ideal chunky base that’s perfectly complimented by the satisfying crunch of the Fritos chips. The dressing is heavenly – creamy and rich, yet never overpowering. Trust me, this salad will become your new addiction, perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or as a side for any meal!
How to Prepare
🫑 Finely dice the bell pepper (or use a veggie chopper instead).
🥣 In a large serving bowl, combine the bell pepper, corn, mayo, sour cream, parsley, and lime juice and mix well.
🌽 Lastly, add in the Fritos (or use them on the side as a dip) and enjoy!
Nonna’s Tip
Add the Fritos right before serving, otherwise they will get soggy. You can also leave them out and enjoy this recipe as a dip with tortilla chips instead.
Variations and Substitutions for Frito Corn Salad
- Mix it up by adding some taco seasoning or your favorite hot sauce to this recipe. 🌶️
- In addition to bell pepper, you can also add some finely diced red onion or chopped scallions. 🧅
- Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese 🧀 makes this creamy dish even richer.
- I’m not a big fan of cilantro personally, but instead of parsley, you can absolutely use freshly chopped cilantro.
- Thawed, frozen corn works just as well as canned, drained and rinsed corn. 🌽
- You can’t go wrong with a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning.
Similar Recipes
Best Served With
- Instead of mixing in Fritos, I like to serve this recipe as a dip with Fritos or corn tortillas on the side.
- This recipe makes for a unique summer BBQ side dish; you can serve it with other BBQ favorites, like my Grinder Pasta Salad and Olivier Salad (Potato Salad). 🌭
- Frito Corn Salad has debatable origins, but it’s giving me Tex-Mex vibes. I might serve it as part of a larger spread of Watermelon Mango Salsa, Guacamole, and Cauliflower Nachos. 🤠
- For a slightly lighter, but similar dish, be sure to check out my Mexican Corn Salad.
Common Questions
Certainly you can use canned corn. Fully defrost the corn before preparing the recipe.
Fritos and tortilla chips are nice and thick and hold up well to the dense ingredients in this recipe. You can use any flavor of Fritos or even your favorite corn- or grain-free tortilla chips.
You can combine a spoonful of your favorite taco seasoning or hot sauce directly to the recipe, when combining all the ingredients. Tajin is also delicious here. Remember to season with your heart!
You can combine all the ingredients, except for the Fritos, and store in the fridge for about 2 days. Add the Fritos just before serving.
You can omit the mayo and use twice as much sour cream, though the dish will be tangier in flavor.
This is the ultimate potluck dish because the ingredients are relatively affordable, the recipe is easy to assemble and double or triple, if needed, and the dish holds up well at room temp for a few hours.
Frito Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 can can corn, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup parsley, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 cup Fritos, or tortilla chips on the side
Instructions
- Finely dice the bell pepper (or use a veggie chopper instead).
- In a large serving bowl, combine the bell pepper, corn, mayo, sour cream, parsley, and lime juice and mix well.
- Add in the Fritos (or use them on the side as a dip) and enjoy!
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I don’t have a bell pepper what else can I use??
Hi Angela, the bell pepper adds fresh crunch, a bit of natural sweetness, color. Instead you could use celery (and add some chili flakes or paprika for color). Very thinly sliced and then diced up carrots could work too.
I added chili powder, paprika and cilantro. Trader Joe’s has an Everything but the Elote seasoning blend that isn’t overly spicy. And chili Fritos make this so yum! I just crumbled them up and added to the top of my own bowl. I don’t like soggy fritos. Had to make this for 50 people. To make it a street corn salad, drain corn really well and fry in a pan till its toasty brown on some of the corn. Add Cotijo cheese, crumbled and red onion finally chopped.Got rave reviews from the group host!
OMG, Susan….50 people! That’s incredible. This looks delicious! I’m so glad people loved it. 😍👏
Can you use fresh cooked corn?
Hi, Emma! Absolutely! ❤️
This was a really quick easy recipe to whip up. So refreshing! The crunch of the Fritos was delightful.
So happy you enjoyed it, Renata!
I did not expect this to be so delicious and easy. Brought this to a potluck and everyone loved it!
Love this salad!!! So simple to make and delicious – 10/10!