This plant-based sweet corn and bacon salad is the perfect summer side dish! Fresh corn, smokey Plant-Based LightLife Smart Bacon, and creamy avocado are tossed with crisp veggies, hearty spinach, and the most delicious bacon vinaigrette! Serve either warm or cold, this salad is sure to be your new favorite!

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LightLife FOODS. ALL THOUGHTS, OPINIONS, AND TEXT ARE MY OWN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING THE SPONSORS WHO KEEP ME HUNGRY & INSPIRED TO CREATE!

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Sweet Corn and Bacon Salad

This colorful Sweet Corn and Bacon Salad is the ultimate end-of-summer dish! It’s packed with all the best summer produce – corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado – and tossed with the most delicious bacon vinaigrette, then topped with crispy, smoky plant-based LightLife Smart Bacon. It’s sure to be a summertime favorite year after year!

Ingredients

I love this Sweet Corn and Bacon Salad because the ingredients list is short, sweet, and to the point! Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Bacon Vinaigrette:

• Plant-Based LightLife Smart Bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Olive oil
• Fresh garlic
• Red wine vinegar
• Maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Salad:

• Fresh grilled corn kernels 
• Fresh Spinach
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Red onion
• Cucumber
• Vegan Feta
• Avocado
• Plant-Based LightLife Smart Bacon

How to Make Sweet Corn and Bacon Salad

Just like the ingredients list, the instructions for this salad are easy and to the point. Here’s how to make it.

Prepare the LightLife Smart Bacon:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly coat it with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
• Add the LightLife Smart Bacon slices and cook according to package directions.
• Remove the bacon from the skillet, let it cool, and crumble 4 slices into smaller pieces. Set the remaining cooked slices aside.

Make the Bacon Vinaigrette:

• Place the crumbled pieces of LightLife Bacon into a blender along with the rest of the vinaigrette ingredients. Pulse until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Assemble the Salad:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn, spinach, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and vegan feta. Toss with the bacon vinaigrette until all the ingredients are evenly coated. 
• Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining slices of LightLife Smart Bacon, thinly sliced avocado, and more vegan feta. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & FAQs

1. Corn Freshness: To ensure the best flavor and texture, use fresh, locally sourced corn when it’s in season. If fresh corn is not available, you can use frozen corn kernels that have been thawed.
2. Plant-Based LightLife Smart Bacon: LightLife Smart Bacon is a fantastic plant-based bacon alternative that adds a smoky and savory flavor to the salad. You can find it in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store or health food store.
3. Customize Vinaigrette: Feel free to adjust the ingredients of the Bacon Vinaigrette to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter vinaigrette, add a touch more maple syrup. If you like a tangier dressing, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar.
4. Avocado Addition: To prevent the diced avocado from browning, toss it with a little lemon or lime juice before adding it to the salad. This will help maintain its vibrant green color.

Storage & Reheating:

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the Bacon Vinaigrette separate and drizzle it over the salad just before serving to prevent the ingredients from becoming soggy.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and the Bacon Vinaigrette ahead of time, but it’s best to assemble the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness and crunch.

Different Cooking Methods:

1. Grilled Corn: For a smokier flavor, grill the corn on a barbecue or stovetop grill pan before removing the kernels for the salad.
2. Roasted Corn: Roast the corn kernels in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, tossing them halfway through, until they are slightly charred and caramelized.

Other Ways to Enjoy:

1. Wrap it Up: Turn this salad into a delicious wrap by layering the salad mixture onto a large tortilla or wrap, drizzling with Bacon Vinaigrette, and folding it into a burrito-style wrap.
2. Top Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: Serve the salad on top of grilled portobello mushrooms for a hearty and flavorful main course.
3. Taco Tuesday Twist: Use the salad as a filling for soft or hard-shell tacos, adding a dollop of vegan sour cream and a sprinkle of dairy-free cheese.
4. Quinoa or Grain Bowl: Add cooked quinoa, farro, or your favorite whole grains to the salad for a satisfying and nutritious grain bowl.
5. Side Dish Delight: Pair this salad with other vegan barbecue favorites like grilled vegetable skewers, veggie burgers, or sweet potato fries.

Recipes to Pair with Sweet Corn and Bacon Salad

• LightLife Hot Dog Skewers
• Mini Chili Cheese Dogs
• Chick’n Pitas with Everything Ranch

Cheers to Summer Salads!

I hope you love this Plant-Based Sweet Corn and Bacon Salad ft. LightLife Smart Bacon as much as I do! If you try this dish and enjoy it, I wanna know! Snap a photo, take a video, or make a story and post it to Instagram or TikTok, and tag me at @eat_figs_not_pigs and #EatFigsNotPigs. I love seeing your recreations of my recipes!

Til next time, friends!

XO!