Published: Jun 15, 2022 · Modified: Jun 15, 2022 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 16 Comments

This easy side dish is bursting with summertime flavors! Sautéed corn and zucchini mix with blistered tomatoes, lime juice, garlic and herbs. Simple and delicious!

This sauteed corn recipe, along with our favorite zucchini recipe (the BEST baked zucchini fries!), was inspired by our all-time favorite farm stand that we frequented when we lived in Utah – the one my kids used to refer to as “our farm stand”. Little did the farmers know, but my family had taken full ownership of their stand.

“Our” farm stand was nothing fancy. In fact, every time we visited, I feel as though I’d taken a ride in a time machine. Old wooden crates filled with zucchini, summer squashes of every variety, the sweetest corn and ruby red tomatoes. It was all grown on the farm that stretched behind the makeshift stand.

But the produce wasn’t even the best part.

Even though the rickety shelves were filled with brightly colored cloth-topped jars of homemade jams, pickles and honey, the most charming part was nestled just in front of those shelves.

There was an old metal can with a slot in the top and a removable lid, nestled up to a sign that read, “Honor System”. One of the few times that I actually saw one of the owners, I asked her about it. She said that they had been using the honor system for years and not once had anyone ripped them off.

My faith in humanity was restored.

I don’t get overly effusive about dishes too often and am typically not prone to exaggeration, so I hope you’ll believe me when I say this:

This is one of the best flippin’ summer side dishes I’ve ever made! I think it’s that simplicity that makes me love this side dish so much. Each flavor shines and they complement each other without overtaking any other in the mixture.

Ingredients for sauteed corn salad:

These are the main ingredients needed for this recipe…

• CORN: Use the kernels from 3 cooked medium-sized corn cobs. Either boiled or grilled corn works well.
• TOMATOES: Use either cherry or grape tomatoes.
• ZUCCHINI: Diced the zucchini into ¾-inch pieces.
• GARLIC: One large garlic cloves, minced.
• LIME JUICE: Use fresh lime juice.
• OLIVE OIL: Just a splash of olive oil for sauteing the veggies.

See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.

How to make sauteed corn and blistered tomatoes:

HEAT THE OIL: Set a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat.

SAUTE THE ZUCCHINI: Add the zucchini to the skillet and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently.

CORN & TOMATOES: Next, add the corn kernels and cherry tomatoes. After a couple of minutes, the tomato skins should start to split and shrivel slightly.

ADD THE GARLIC: Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Avoid burning the garlic, which turns it bitter.

ADD THE REST: Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Taste a forkful and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.

SERVE: Serve hot or at room temperature.

How to serve this zucchini side dish:

• Serve it as a side dish throughout the summer, or snack on it as a light lunch.
• Alternatively, let the dish cool and take it to the next potluck to serve as a salad. It may need an extra squeeze of lime juice and/or drizzle of olive oil before serving.
• Use it as a salsa and serve it on top of grilled salmon, grilled pork chops or grilled chicken.

Main dishes to serve with sauteed corn:

What substitutions can I make?

Other vegetables: Brown some onions before adding the other vegetables. Or try green onions. Bell peppers, summer squash and spinach are all great additions.

Make it a vegetarian entrée: To make this a vegetarian entrée, try adding black beans, chickpeas, grilled halloumi or tofu.

Make it a non-veggie entrée: Grilled shrimp, shredded chicken or cooked ground turkey can easily turn this recipe into a hearty dinner.

Other fresh corn recipes:

Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob {Cookin’ Canuck}
Black Bean & Corn Salad {Cookin’ Canuck}
Zesty Sweet Corn Refrigerator Relish {A Farmgirl’s Dabbles}
Zucchini Corn Pancakes {Girl Versus Dough}
Quinoa with Corn & Scallions {Just A Taste}

This was originally post on August 6, 2014, and was updated on June 15, 2022.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.