Sweet Corn Bacon Salad (Printable Version)

Crisp sweet corn and savory turkey bacon tossed with jalapeño, cheddar and ranch dressing for a delightful side dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

01 - 4 cups sweet corn (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
02 - 12 slices cooked turkey bacon, finely chopped
03 - ¼ cup green onions, chopped
04 - 1 jalapeño, finely diced
05 - ½ cup Ranch salad dressing (store-bought)
06 - 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
07 - Juice of 1 lime
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - Kosher salt, to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Homemade Ranch Dressing (Optional)

11 - 1½ cups mayonnaise
12 - ½ cup sour cream
13 - ⅓ cup whole milk
14 - ¼ cup buttermilk
15 - ¼ teaspoon onion powder
16 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
17 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
18 - 1 teaspoon fresh dill
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, buttermilk, onion powder, minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate until needed.
02 - In a large bowl, combine sweet corn, turkey bacon, green onions, jalapeño, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
03 - Add ½ cup of ranch dressing to the mixture and stir until everything is well coated. Add more dressing if a creamier texture is desired.
04 - For best flavor, chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or dill if desired.

# Notes:

01 - This salad can be prepared up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
02 - For a spicier version, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add a dash of hot sauce.