Calling all Chipotle Mexican Grill fans! We'll let you in on a little secret--our Chipotle corn salsa is so sweet and spicy, you will be wanting to eat it on everything!
If you love chips and salsa, then you are going to love our Chipotle tomatillo green chili salsa and Chipotle fresh tomato salsa. Use them in burritos, cilantro lime rice bowls, soft tacos, or serve with Chipotle tortilla chips for the ultimate summer appetizer.
Ingredients
Ever wondered what's in the corn salsa at Chipotle? If you go to their website, they have the ingredients listed, and we used them to make this copycat recipe which you will love.
- Corn: We used frozen white corn. (Chipotle uses frozen)
- Aromatics: We used red onion as it's great for adding more color to this copycat salsa.
- Heat: We used jalapenos and roasted poblanos that were seeded.
- Tang: We used lime zest, freshly squeezed lime juice and lemon juice.
- Spices: We used fresh chopped cilantro, salt, and black pepper to season.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make
Gather the ingredients for the corn salsa.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F, then line a small baking tray (affiliate) with foil. Place the poblanos on the tray and brush both sides with olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Roast for 7 minutes, then turn them over with metal tongs (affiliate). Place back in the oven and roast for another 7 minutes. Remove the seeds, then chop them into smaller pieces.
3. Heat up the olive oil until it is shimmering in two 10-inch skillets (affiliate) over medium high heat.
Add 4 cups of kernels to each skillet. Stir frequently so the kernels get some color, browned in parts and charred in parts. This should take 6 to 9 minutes.
4. Place the roasted kernels on a large baking tray for 8 to 10 minutes so they will cool.
5. Place the roasted kernels in a large bowl. Add the chopped red onion, minced jalapeños, and the chopped roasted poblano peppers.
6. Next, add the fresh cilantro, lime zest, salt, black pepper, and the freshly squeezed lime juice.
7. With a large spoon, mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding a bit more salt, lime juice or cilantro. If you like your salsa sweet, add 1 teaspoon of white sugar.
8. Squeeze on some fresh lime juice to give it a fresh taste and some extra tang. Serve this Chipotle copycat corn salsa with tortilla chips, a burrito bowl, soft tacos, nachos, cilantro lime rice, or fresh summer salad greens.
Recipe FAQs
Chipotle corn salsa is made with sweet white corn, roasted poblano, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and citrus juice from lemons and limes. We have used the same ingredients to create this copycat version of the recipe.
It's rated as medium in spiciness due to the jalapeno and roasted poblano peppers. If you are looking for something mild, try the fresh tomato salsa at Chipotle, which is a simple pico de gallo recipe.
It is relatively low in calories which may make it a healthy alternative for some diets. A serving at Chipotle contains 80 calories, 1.5g fat, 3g protein and 16g carbohydrates. In a ½ cup serving size of our copycat recipe there are 152 calories, 8g fat, 3g protein, and 22g of carbs. For more nutritional information, please scroll past the recipe card. However, if you are following whole30, keto or paleo this recipe is compliant.
Yes, the recipe is made completely using plant-based ingredients making it suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.
Serve
Looking for other Chipotle recipes to serve with this corn salsa? You'll definitely want to try our recipes for Chipotle black beans, Chipotle pinto beans and Chipotle cauliflower lime rice. Add some color and flavor with these Chipotle fajita veggies.
Top your burrito bowl with a hearty protein, like our Chipotle pork carnitas, Chipotle barbacoa, Chipotle steak, or Chipotle carne asada. Add a punch of flavor with a drizzle of Chipotle fresh tomato salsa, Chipotle tomatillo-green chili salsa, or this Chipotle honey vinaigrette. Round out your meal with these crispy, lime-flavored Chipotle tortilla chips.
Store
Make ahead: This copycat corn salsa is best eaten within a few hours of making. If you need to make this the night before, please adjust the seasonings just before serving. You'll need to add more lime juice, as the kernels will absorb it.
Leftovers: Store this copycat recipe in the refrigerator for 1-3 days after making it. When serving again, stir it up and add more lime juice or seasoning to perk it up a bit.
Freeze: If you are using fresh or canned, freeze any leftovers in a freezer-friendly container for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge, taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more fresh lime juice and salt and a bit more fresh cilantro. However, if you are using frozen corn that has been thawed, it's not a good idea to re-freeze it once it's assembled into a salsa.
Expert Tips
- Want the best flavor? Allow the ingredients to meld for at least 15 minutes before eating, then taste test and adjust lime and seasonings.
- Want the best texture? Chop the onion, jalapeno, and the roasted poblano finely.
- Want freshest ingredients? Choose to use fresh corn when it's in season for the freshest tasting salsa. One medium cob will give you ¾ cup of kernels. This recipe calls for 8 cups of kernels, which is roughly 10-11 ears.
- Need to make it faster? When speed is a priority, use a good quality white shoepeg canned corn. If you choose this option, add extra seasonings: lime and lemon juice, salt, cilantro and possibly some white sugar to increase the flavor once the salsa has been assembled.
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Recipe
Chipotle Corn Salsa (Copycat)
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 large poblano peppers
- 8 cups frozen white corn, thawed (3 pounds)
- 2 cups red onion, chopped
- 1 cup jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped (4 jalapenos)
- 1 ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime zest
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 8 limes
- 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F, and line a small baking tray with foil.
- Brush the two poblano peppers with olive oil, then roast them for 7 minutes. Turn the peppers over with tongs and roast for another 7 minutes.
- Place the charred poblanos in a glass or ceramic dish and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes to allow to cool.
- Carefully rub off the outer skin with a paper towel, then cut off the tops, de-seed, and chop.
- Divide the oil between two 10-inch, heavy-bottomed skillets, and heat it until shimmering over medium high heat. Place 4 cups of thawed corn in each skillet and saute it until it's tender and roasty, about 6 to 9 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon.
- Spread the sauteed kernels out on a large baking tray to cool for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Mix the cooled kernels, onion, jalapenos, poblanos, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. With a large spoon, stir until well mixed.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more lime juice, salt, cilantro, or even sugar, if you like it sweeter. Chill for at least 15 minutes, then enjoy.
Notes
- Want the best flavor? Allow the ingredients to meld for at least 15 minutes before eating, then taste test and adjust lime and seasonings.
- Want the best texture? Chop the onion, jalapeno, and the roasted poblano finely.
- Want freshest ingredients? Choose to use fresh corn when it's in season for the freshest tasting salsa. One medium cob will give you ¾ cup of kernels. This recipe calls for 8 cups of kernels, which is roughly 10-11 ears.
- Need to make it faster? When speed is a priority, use a good quality white shoepeg canned corn. If you choose this option, add extra seasonings: lime and lemon juice, salt, cilantro and possibly some white sugar to increase the flavor once the salsa has been assembled.
Nutrition
Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.
Beth
This salsa looks bright and delicious. This is limey, crunchy, and colorful. The onions, peppers, and lime give it a bit of zing, and the corn is yummy! This tastes great on tortilla chips.
Emma
Thanks for your comment, Beth!
Alex
The jalapenos in this are crunchy and delicious! The lime is sour, the corn is sweet, and the onions are crunchy. The salt enhances the sourness from the lime.
Emma
Glad you enjoyed the salsa, Alex!