This easy-to-make Roasted Corn and Poblano Salsa is filled with smoky grilled corn, charred poblano peppers, and a colorful mix of fresh veggies. Tossed in zesty lime juice and cilantro, it’s a deliciously vibrant dip.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Corn and Poblano Salsa Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa
• 🔪 How to Make Corn and Poblano Salsa
• 💡 Tips for Making Corn Salsa
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 How to Serve Poblano Pepper Salsa
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Use Can or Frozen Corn?
• What if My Grilled Corn Isn’t Sweet Enough?
• Is This Salsa Spicy?
• Is This Salsa Gluten-Free?
• 🍽️ More Dip Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Corn and Poblano Salsa Recipe

• Colorful mix of fresh veggies
• Smoky grilled corn and poblano peppers
• Tossed in fresh lime juice and cilantro
• Classic Mexican flavors
• Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, tostadas or salads

When it comes to snacking, chips and salsa are always a hit, but this Corn and Poblano Salsa takes things to a whole new level of flavor and textures. Smoky grilled corn and poblano peppers blend with creamy avocado, crispy red bell pepper, and jalapeño for the most delicious burst of vibrant flavors.

Tossed with lime juice and a sprinkling of cilantro, this salsa is so refreshingly tasty. It’s ideal for dipping with homemade tortilla chips or serving with fresh pita chips. It also works wonderfully as a topping for grilled chicken and fish, adding a colorful and flavorful touch to any meal.

If you love trying salsas with a twist, make sure you check out my recipe for Mango Salsa. It has the best sweet and savory combination of flavors.

🛒 Ingredients for Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa

• Fresh corn on the cob
• Poblano peppers
• Avocado
• Red bell pepper
• Jalapeño pepper
• Red onion
• Lime
• Cilantro
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Grill or grill pan
• Mixing bowl

🔪 How to Make Corn and Poblano Salsa

Heat your grill or grill pan while you prepare the corn.

Remove the husks and silk from each ear or corn, then place them on the grill along with the poblano peppers.

Cook until charred on all sides, then remove. Allow the corn to sit at room temperature until it’s cool enough to handle.

Place the peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  This helps loosen the skins, making them easier to peel after about 10 minutes.

Cut the corn off the cobs, and place them in a large mixing bowl.  The easiest way to do this is to place an inverted small bowl into a larger bowl.  Stand each cob upright and slice the kernels off the cob, using a sharp knife.

Remove the skins and seeds from the poblano peppers, then dice them up.

Add them to the bowl with the corn, along with the red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, salt and ground black pepper. 

Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the top.

Toss until well combined and transfer to a serving bowl with tortilla chips on the side and serve.

💡 Tips for Making Corn Salsa

• Preheat the grill: Make sure your grill is hot before adding the corn and peppers to get a good char and smoky flavor.

• Rotate regularly: Turn the corn occasionally to ensure it gets evenly charred, but not burned.

• Use long tongs: Use tongs with a long handle to turn the peppers and corn to help avoid burning yourself.

• Allow peppers to steam: After grilling, place the peppers in a covered bowl or paper bag to steam, which helps loosen the skins for easier peeling.

• Cool corn before cutting: Let the corn cool slightly before cutting off the kernels to avoid burning your hands and to make cutting easier.

• Chop veggies in even sizes: Dice all your vegetables to similar sizes to ensure even mixing and a balanced texture in the salsa.

• Toss the avocado: If you're not adding the avocado immediately, toss it with a little extra lime juice before adding them to the bowl. This double ensures they won't turn brown.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Place the salsa in a clean, airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3-4 days. Give the salsa a good stir before serving to mix any liquid that may have separated.

🍴 How to Serve Poblano Pepper Salsa

• With ceviche: Add tons more flavor to this Shrimp Ceviche by topping it with this tasty salsa.

• Green salads: This salsa is awesome mixed in with fresh salad greens.

• Served as a dip: Of course, it is awesome with chips or crackers. If you want to make homemade versions, try these Tortilla Chips or these Everything Crackers.

• As a bruschetta topping: Spoon some of your salsa onto toasted baguette slices for a flavorful topping.

• Topping for fish or chicken: Top your favorite fish recipe with this salsa. The sweet and tangy flavors complement the savory, grilled taste perfectly. I love it with this crispy Air Fryer Cod and the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.

• Tacos: Spoon some of your salsa onto your favorite tacos made with these homemade tortillas, whether they're filled with grilled chicken, fish, or beef.

• With eggs: Top scrambled eggs or an omelet with salsa for a zesty breakfast twist.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Peppers: Swap poblano peppers for green bell peppers for a slightly milder flavor.

• Avocado: Replace avocado with diced mango for a sweet twist.

• Cilantro: Use parsley or basil instead of cilantro for a different herb flavor.

• Red onion: Substitute with finely chopped green onions or shallots for a milder taste.

• Beans: Add black beans or chickpeas for extra protein and texture.

• Tomatoes: Throw in a few cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes for added juiciness.

• Cheese: Sprinkle in some crumbled feta or shredded cheese for extra richness.

• Fruit: Mix in diced pineapple or diced apple for a sweet contrast.

• Spices: Experiment with cumin, smoked paprika, or chili powder for added depth of flavor.

If you're looking for another great appetizer to serve, Mexican pinwheels are an easy and flavorful Mexican Appetizer!

Can I Use Can or Frozen Corn?

Sure! You can use canned or frozen corn if fresh corn is not available. Sear it in a skillet on the stove before adding it to the other ingredients.

What if My Grilled Corn Isn’t Sweet Enough?

If the corn does not seem sweet enough, try adding a touch of honey or agave syrup to the salsa for a bit of extra sweetness.

Is This Salsa Spicy?

I would say that it has mild to medium to heat, depending on your spice tolerance. This salsa includes jalapenos, so if you want a milder salsa, you may want to omit them.  

Is This Salsa Gluten-Free?

Yes, all the ingredients in this salsa are naturally gluten-free.

🍽️ More Dip Recipes

• Whipped Feta Dip
• Pizza Dip
• Cowboy Caviar
• Salsa Verde