Roasted Chili Corn Salsa

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This Roasted Chili Corn Salsa is a copycat version of the one from Chipotle Mexican Grill. If you have enjoyed this delicious salsa at the restaurant, or even if you haven't ever tried it, be prepared to love this roasted corn salsa recipe.

Roasted chili corn salsa in a glass bowl with a spoon.

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Why This Recipe Works
Ingredient Notes
How to Roast a Poblano Chili
How to Make Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
Helpful Tips
Common Questions
Serving Suggestions
Recipe
Comments

Why This Recipe Works

This copycat chipotle corn salsa recipe has to much fresh flavor, but you only need 7 simple ingredients to make it!
Lots of flavor here! The sweetness of the corn is perfectly balanced with the smoky poblano peppers and spicy jalapeno peppers, while lime juice and cilantro bring freshness.
You can control the spice level, as well as the sodium.

A bowl of chipotle corn salsa garnished with cilantro leaves.

Ingredient Notes

All of the ingredients to make the corn salsa on a wooden board. — Just 7 fresh ingredients

Corn Like Chipotle's chili-corn salsa, this recipe is using frozen corn. You don't need to cook the frozen corn, simply defrost it. You can also use fresh corn. (See Helpful Tips, below.) Chipotle’s corn salsa has white corn, but I'm using yellow corn instead because I like the color.. I don't recommend using canned corn. The salsa just won't be as fresh and crisp.
Poblano Pepper Also called a pasilla chili. Poblano peppers are mild green Mexican chili peppers. They're about as large as a bell pepper, but longer and skinnier. If you can't find a poblano pepper, Anaheim peppers or hatch chilis are good substitutions, but keep in mind they can be spicier. If you don't want spicier corn salsa, use green bell peppers.
Jalapeno Pepper Once you remove the seeds and white pith, jalapenos are only mildly spicy. This recipe has two good sized jalapenos. If you prefer less heat, use just one or omit.
Red Onion Red onion is great for raw eating like in salads and salsas.
Cilantro If you are not a fan of cilantro, Italian parsley is a good substitute.
Lime Juice The citrus juice of choice for Mexican dishes. Use two limes if your lime doesn't yield two tablespoons of juice.
Salt Kosher salt is nice but any salt will do.

How to Roast a Poblano Chili

There are 3 ways to roast a chili pepper:

Stove Top

If you have a gas stove, hold the pepper over the open flame with tongs. Keep turning until all sides have blistered, then blackened.

Grill

Pre heat the grill to high or 400% Put the poblano pepper over direct heat on the grill. Keep turning until the skin is blistered and blackened on all sides.

Broiler

Preheat the broiler on high. Put the pepper on a baking sheet directly under the broiler. Turn until the whole poblano is blackened.

How to Make Roasted Chili Corn Salsa

Roast the poblano pepper
Cover and allow the poblano to steam
Remove the skin, seeds, and stem. Chop.
Toss the corn, poblano, jalapeno, red onion, and cilantro together in a large bowl.

Add lime juice and salt and stir to combine.

Salsa ingredients being tossed together in a glass bowl. — Delicious Homemade Salsa

Helpful Tips

Most of the heat in chili peppers is contained in the white membrane. To remove a lot of the spice in the jalapeno pepper for this recipe, remove the membrane, or pith, along with the seeds, before dicing.
If you would like it spicier, you can add another jalapeno.
Take your frozen corn out to thaw before you begin.
Thaw frozen corn quickly by putting it in a colander or sieve, and running it under cold water.
If you want to use fresh corn, first cook the cobs in boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes. Rinse the cooked corn cobs under cold water until they are cool enough to handle. Using a sharp knife, slice the corn kernels from the cob. Here's an easy tip for getting corn off the cob. You'll need 4 or 5 ears of corn.
While your poblano pepper is steaming, chop the jalapenos, onion and cilantro.
The salsa will taste even better if you refrigerate it for a couple of hours before using it.

Common Questions

Is Chipotle's Chili Corn Salsa spicy?

The Corn salsa at Chipotle's is one of their mildest salsas. Making it at home means you can make it as mild or spicy as you like.

Is roasted chili corn salsa Keto friendly?

Corn is high in carbs and this salsa is not keto diet friendly.

How long will corn salsa last in the fridge?

You can keep roasted chili corn salsa in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

A close up of the corn salsa in a glass bowl.

Serving Suggestions

You can enjoy roasted chili-corn salsa with tortilla chips or corn chips. It's delicious in burrito bowls, taco salads, lettuce wraps, and any kind of tacos, including breakfast tacos, and nachos. We even love putting our homemade salsa on hot dogs, burgers, and scrambled eggs!

You can also serve this easy copycat recipe as a side dish. It's a perfect side for steaks, chicken, pork or fish.

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