Corn Chip Salad

Say goodbye to dull salads and hello to this irresistible Corn Chip Salad! Every spoonful is loaded flavor and it’s really easy to make. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks or holiday get-togethers.

If you think salads are uninspired, this Corn Chip Salad is here to prove you wrong! With its crunchy chips, creamy dressing, crunchy veggies, and rich cheesy deliciousness, it’s a mix of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for more. Salad just got a serious upgrade!

From Shreds to Melts, Borden® Cheese is your versatile go-to for delicious recipes, snacks, and meals that bring the family together. Their Triple Cheddar Cheese, a blend of shredded mild white, medium and sharp cheddar cheese, adds protein, texture, and incredible flavor!

Corn Chip Salad adds pizzaz to lots of meals and a summer side dish must. Besides eating it with a spoon or scooping it up with chips, you can spoon it over taco cups, tacos, enchiladas, a taco salad, or grilled meats like steak or bbq chicken. You’ll want to add it to the menu for your next party!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

• Quick and Easy Recipe: With minimal prep time, you can have this salad ready in just a few minutes. Perfect for all your warm weather spring and summer cookouts!
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of crunchy corn chips and zesty ingredients creates a flavor and texture combo that’ll keep you coming back for more! It’s a guaranteed BIG hit!
• Versatile: This delicious salad is a perfect side dish, topping for tacos, or a standalone meal; it adapts to any occasion!
• Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

• Corn Kernels: Crunchy and sweet corn provides the salad’s vibrant base.
• Black Beans: Add protein and a creamy texture.
• Hominy: Provides a unique flavor and chewy texture.
• Bell Peppers: Red bell peppers adds color and a fresh, crisp bite. Any color works beautifully!
• Jalapeños: Bring a little heat and spice.
• Red Onion: Offers a zesty crunch and vibrant color.
• Cilantro: Fresh and aromatic, it adds a burst of herbaceous flavor.
• Lime Juice & Zest: Brightens the salad with a tangy acidity that enhances the flavors.
• Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the dressing.
• Sour Cream: Adds a tangy creaminess.
• Borden Cheddar Cheese or Triple Cheddar Cheese: Provides a rich, savory element that brings all the flavors together.
• Corn Chips or Tortilla Chips: Adds the essential crunch and a delightful bite for texture.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife
• Colander
• Citrus Press

How to Make Corn Chip Salad  

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth. 
2. To the bowl, add corn kernels, black beans, hominy, diced bell pepper, jalapeños, red onion, and cilantro.

3. Toss gently until everything is well coated.
4. Fold in cheddar cheese until evenly distributed. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate.

5. Just before serving, mix in 2 cups of the corn chips or crushed tortilla chips. Transfer to a large bowl for serving and garnish with the remaining chips and additional cilantro, if desired.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

• Bean Choices. Feel free to substitute black beans with kidney beans or pinto beans. For more southwestern flavor, use a seasoned can of black beans.
• Corn. Besides fresh corn cut off the cob, you can use thawed frozen corn or drained cans of corn.
• Salad Additions. Chopped tomatoes, avocado, green pepper, black olives, green onion, and cucumber for different flavor profiles. There are lots of options!
• Spice Level. Adjust the amount of jalapeños based on your heat tolerance, or omit them if you prefer a milder salad. You can add taco seasoning to the dressing for a jazzed up dressing! Add cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes for more heat!
• Dressing Alternatives. For a lighter version, use light mayonnaise and/or sour cream. You can also opt to substitute some/all of both with plain Greek yogurt. Salad dressing like Miracle Whip can be used in place of mayonnaise for an added sweet note.
• Chips. Use gluten-free corn chips or tortilla chips if you have dietary restrictions.

Storage

Store any leftover corn chip salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The chips WILL lose their crunch, so it’s best to add them just before serving. This is not a recipe that freezes well as the texture is too compromised.

You can prepare the salad and dressing ingredients separately ahead of time. Toss them together with the dressing and chips right before serving for the best texture.

Discard the salad if left out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

• 4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
• Fresh Pico de Gallo
• Spicy Cranberry Salsa
• Classic Potato Salad

This post was created in partnership with Borden Cheese. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.