Addictive Crack Corn Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing and Crispy Bacon

The ultimate addictive corn salad featuring sweet corn kernels, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with irresistible flavor combinations. This crowd-pleasing masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of fresh corn with smoky bacon, crunchy vegetables, and tangy dressing, creating an unforgettable salad experience that lives up to its addictive reputation with every flavorful bite perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or any time you crave the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors that keeps everyone coming back for more.

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Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Addictive Corn Salad Mastery Secrets for Perfect Flavor Balance and Irresistible Taste

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Corn Caramelization Mastery:
Master the technique of cooking corn to achieve light caramelization for enhanced sweetness.
Bacon Cooking Excellence:
Learn the skill of achieving perfectly crispy bacon that maintains texture in the salad.
Dressing Balance Perfection:
Perfect the method of creating creamy dressing with ideal consistency and flavor.
Texture Harmony Technique:
Master the art of combining different textures for maximum eating satisfaction.
Flavor Development Strategy:
Learn optimal chilling and seasoning techniques for addictive flavor development.
Addictive Crack Corn Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing and Crispy Bacon - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Addictive Crack Corn Salad Perfection

Perfect Corn Caramelization Mastery
Master the technique of cooking corn to achieve light caramelization for enhanced sweetness.
Bacon Cooking Excellence
Learn the skill of achieving perfectly crispy bacon that maintains texture in the salad.
Dressing Balance Perfection
Perfect the method of creating creamy dressing with ideal consistency and flavor.
Texture Harmony Technique
Master the art of combining different textures for maximum eating satisfaction.
Flavor Development Strategy
Learn optimal chilling and seasoning techniques for addictive flavor development.
Addictive Corn Salad Mastery Secrets for Perfect Flavor Balance and Irresistible Taste
Corn Prep: Fresh corn gives best texture, but frozen corn works if thawed and drained well.
Bacon Crisp: Cook bacon until very crispy as it softens slightly when mixed into salad.
Dressing Balance: Start with less dressing and add more as needed for perfect coating.
Chill Time: Allow adequate chilling time for flavors to meld and develop fully.
Serving Fresh: Salad tastes best within first day but improves after initial chilling.
Crowd Size: Recipe easily doubles or triples for large gatherings and events.
Addictive Crack Corn Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing and Crispy Bacon - tertiary view

Addictive Crack Corn Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing and Crispy Bacon

The ultimate addictive corn salad featuring sweet corn kernels, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with irresistible flavor combinations. This crowd-pleasing masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of fresh corn with smoky bacon, crunchy vegetables, and tangy dressing, creating an unforgettable salad experience that lives up to its addictive reputation with every flavorful bite perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or any time you crave the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Corn Foundation:
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6 cups fresh corn kernels (about 8 ears)
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
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For the Crispy Bacon:
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8 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
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For the Vegetable Medley:
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1 red bell pepper, finely diced
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1 green bell pepper, finely diced
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1/2 red onion, finely diced
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2 celery stalks, finely diced
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For the Creamy Ranch Base:
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1 cup mayonnaise
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1/2 cup sour cream
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1 packet ranch dressing mix
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2 tablespoons buttermilk
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For the Flavor Enhancers:
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2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon honey
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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For the Cheese Component:
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1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
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1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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For the Fresh Herbs:
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1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
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For the Crunchy Elements:
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1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
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1/4 cup crispy fried onions
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2 green onions, sliced thin
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For the Secret Ingredients:
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2 tablespoons pickle juice
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1 teaspoon hot sauce
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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For the Textural Additions:
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/2 cup black beans, drained (optional)
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1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
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For the Finishing Touches:
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Extra bacon for garnish
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Fresh herb sprigs
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Paprika for dusting
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Lime wedges for serving
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For Special Equipment:
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Large cast iron skillet
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Large mixing bowl
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Sharp knife
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Wooden spoon

Instructions

01
Begin by cooking bacon to perfect crispiness for optimal flavor and texture.
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Cook diced bacon in cast iron skillet over medium heat until crispy.
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Sprinkle bacon with brown sugar and smoked paprika in final minutes.
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Remove bacon to paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of drippings.
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Heat butter and olive oil with reserved bacon drippings in same skillet.
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Add fresh corn kernels and cook over medium-high heat 5-7 minutes.
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Season corn with garlic powder, salt, and pepper while cooking.
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Cook until corn is lightly charred and caramelized for extra flavor.
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Remove corn from heat and let cool to room temperature completely.
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Meanwhile, prepare all vegetables by dicing finely and uniformly.
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Dice red and green bell peppers, red onion, and celery consistently.
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Make creamy ranch dressing by combining mayonnaise and sour cream.
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Whisk in ranch packet, buttermilk, and softened cream cheese until smooth.
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Add apple cider vinegar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce to dressing.
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Season dressing with garlic powder, pickle juice, and hot sauce.
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Mix in onion powder and cayenne pepper for extra flavor depth.
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In large mixing bowl, combine cooled corn and diced vegetables.
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Add crispy bacon pieces, reserving some for final garnish.
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Pour creamy ranch dressing over corn mixture and toss thoroughly.
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Fold in shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
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Add fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeño for color and flavor.
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Mix in toasted sunflower seeds and crispy fried onions for crunch.
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Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional hot sauce.
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Chill salad in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
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Just before serving, garnish with reserved bacon and fresh herbs.
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Sprinkle with paprika and serve with lime wedges on the side.
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Toss gently again just before serving to redistribute all ingredients.
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Serve chilled in large bowl with serving spoon for easy portioning.
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Store leftovers covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days maximum.
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Let salad come to room temperature for 15 minutes before re-serving.