I am so excited to share this recipe with Y’All! Did you catch my southern drawl? Well there is good reason. I found a Paula Deen recipe that is absolutely amazing and has become a HUGE favorite in our house. Its just so super yummy. I have Paula Deen to thank for a fantastic new favorite!
This recipe is Paula Deen’s Corn Salad. I like to refer to it as Paula Deen Fritos and Corn salad. It sounds a bit ironic to put “Fritos” and “salad” in the same title – and honestly, this probably isn’t waistline friendly, but then again – I can’t think of many recipes (or any ;)) that are “waistline” friendly from Paula Deen.
But before I thank Paula Deen – I first must thank my fellow mystery church member for this delicious introduction. You see, my girls and I were at our church’s annual ladies tea and this salad was there. I was addicted at first bite and determined to duplicate this at home as I knew that the boys would love it. Plus, Fritos are Alex’s secret indulgence (kinda like dark chocolate, brownies and donuts are mine ;)) and many that know him know that he loves them as he even gets them as gifts.
Well, I enjoyed a few servings of this salad at the Ladies Tea (shhh…) but I was so busy gabbing that I was one of the last to leave and never discovered who brought this salad to get the recipe.
So I came home and Googled “fritos, corn, cheese” as there were the main ingredients that I noted and sure enough, tons and tons of links to the famous Paula Deen Corn Salad and seemingly so popular that I felt like I was living under a recipe rock! So forgive me if I am already sharing this recipe with you and you already know it way to well, but I had to share it as it is a new favorite around here and it is perfect for gatherings, picnics, parties and teas! 🙂
Plus it is really simple to make and so it is perfect for busy moms. Nearly every recipe I have shared on our site has been my own as I admitted that I don’t follow recipes, just get in the kitchen with what I have and make up something. I also have a few baseline recipes that I can build on to make something new. But in this case, it is too perfect to perfect!
I did make a couple of very slight modifications to match whatever it was I had on hand or had recently gotten for cheap! Those modifications are in parentheses and really didn’t affect the taste. So you can use whatever you have on hand and probably have a similar experience! I am not a fan of buying the exact ingredients for a recipe as shopping this way is not budget friendly, but trying to utilize what you already have to make it work!
This exact version is from food.com.
| Paula Deen Frito and Corn Salad: Y'All Gotta Try This | | Print |
- 2 (15 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese ( I used marble cheddar)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup green pepper, chopped (I used an orange bell pepper instead that I got for .25 on this week's shopping trip)
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- 1 (10½ ounce) bag coarsely crushed Fritos chili cheese corn chips
- Mix first 5 ingredients and chill. Stir in corn chips just before serving.
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Enjoy!
Have you tried this before? If this is your first time making and trying too, come back and let us know your thoughts!
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Ruth
Do you think this would taste good with plain Fritos? There is MSG in the chili cheese ones, so we don’t eat those.
Cassie
Hi Ruth,
I would imagine that plain Fritos would also taste just as equally awesome! If you wanted, you could probably add a few dashes of chili powder to replicate it even more. Let me know how it turns out!
K. Fales
Use the plain and add your version of MSG or GF taco seasonings. That is what I do as it let’s me use the store brand chips
Kim
Have you tried any other veggies in it? *sheepish* we don’t eat onions or bell peppers at our house, but amazingly, substituting with non-dairy, non-egg, etc. ingredients – this is something my son could actually HAVE!!! So excited!! Maybe i could add shredded carrots? Hmmm…. the possibilities!! Thank you!!!
Cassie
I have only had it twice, once at the tea and once at home. I just discovered it! However, I love the idea of replacements to fit diet, budget, etc.! Please let me know how it turns out! Carrots and possibly celery would be good options!
LaShelle
I’ve had similar dishes with diced tomatoes or a can of drained black beans.
Frances
WHAT!!?! It doesn’t call for a stick of butter!! I’m Shocked!! LOL
Tracey C
No, but there IS a CUP of mayonnaise in it!! Yikes! 🙂
A mommy
I have had something like this before. I have to say that when I first looked at the picture, I thought there were fresh, diced tomatoes in it. So, maybe that would be an excellent swap for the peppers! You could add salsa and melted velveeta cheese if you wanted a change as well. 🙂 Also, if you added taco seasoning to the mayonaise, the sauce would make it more tex mex. Add a dab of sour cream on the top and a fresh lime and voila, another easy meal!
Brittany
We make this all the time!!! When in a hurry, we get canned fiesta corn which comes with the peppers already in it!!! Just a twist if you are in a hurry!
Sue
Love this salad! The chili Fritos really make it, so would try to add some spice if you use the plain Fritos.
Beth D.
Just made this and it is soooooo good!!!!!!
Tissy
This was soooo good! We used plain fritos and it was still yummy. Great for a hot day when you don’t want to cook. My husband raved about it as well!
Cindy
I made this and loved it!
Heather
YUM!!! I made this tonight for my childrens birthday party tomorrow and I don’t know if it will make it to the party!! I did make some modifications though. I bought regular fritos, so I mixed a couple tablespoons of taco seasoning in with the mayo, and I used an orange pepper and white onion diced really finely. This recipe is deeeeeelicious!!
Cassie
Great modifications! It changes slightly for us each time too based on what we have on hand or what’s on sale. But it ALWAYS turns our fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Stargazer
Heart Attack on a Plate.
Teanne Griffin
This salad was a huge success at our annual Breast Cancer Awareness dinner party….the guests just couldn’t get enough! Being from Dallas, most referred to the salad as comfort food. 🙂 The next time I serve this salad, I’ll be doubling the recipe!
Kim
I make this all them time. I have added chicken to make a meal out of it and served it on a bed of chopped romain. Yummy!
Dianne
What?!? No bacon?????? 🙂
Leslie
We just had this at a restaurant which prompted me to find the recipe. I took the leftovers and ate it as a dip with the fritos scoops! Makes a great dip and will be serving for New Years party.
Pastor Keith
I just made this today for a funeral luncheon. It took 10 mins to put together, and was a huge hit. Everyone was asking for the recipe. Will definitely make again. I don’t even want to think about the WeightWatchers points!
Cassie
Don’t think about the WeightWatcher’s points, but enjoy this on occasion:) We’re glad to hear that it was a big hit! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Sandi
Was wondering if anyone uses Miracle Whip instead of mayo? We are just a Miracle Whip kinda family? curious. thanks
Lane
Don’t use Miracle Whip!! I prefer MW over mayonnaise every other time but this! I actually can’t stand the taste of mayo, but this recipe def needs it!!!
Tina
I make this but instead of using onion and green peppers, I use a can of chopped chilies. This adds a great flavor. Half of the time it is gone before I can put the fritoes in it.
Jo
I have made this twice, once to take to a church social and once to a gathering at school. It was a big hit both times!!! Everyone wanted the recipe. I plan to make it today to take to church tonight!!! It is sooooo yummy!!!!
Nancy
Sounds yummy. I like the idea of adding shredded chicken to make a meal of it. Maybe add black beans, too??
Chrissy
I hate mayo…do you think something could replace this..ranch? Or not think enough?
Chrissy
thick not think!
Cassie
Yea- I definitely think that ranch could be a good replacement. I have also heard Sour Cream is good too! If you try it, let us know!
Chrissy
Thanks! I sure will 🙂
melinda
I have a similar recipe of this salad, instead 2cans of corn I use 1can of corn and 1can of black beans, and I use French dressing. The mayo sounds great also
Stargazer
Fritos now makes a “50% lower sodium” version, as well.
Janie
tried this for the first time yesterday. My husband and I really liked it. I will do this again soon.
Jackie
I haven’t tried this yet but have an equally awesome salad along the same line. Instead of cornnitnussed bite sized pieces of lettuce and wait for it…cauliflower cut very small. Instead pf frites it uses Doritos. Everyone asks for the recipe and can never figure out the mystery cauliflower.
Kylie
We love this salad and always double it- one to take and one to keep! It tastes even better the next day. Dont add the fritos until you are ready to serve or they go soggy. We use fiesta corn instead of peppers and onions and then we throw in a can off black beans too. Everyone likes it!
Barbara
Tasted this recently at a party and it was so good. Was SO disappointed to see how many calories and the percentage of fat it has in a serving. Has anyone made any changes to make it a little healthier? I’m wondering how it would taste if I left the Fritos out and added some chile powder? Any thoughts?
Vee
Anybody try this with cream cheese? I can’t see feeding my family a cup of mayonnaise.
Melissa
Try plain Greek yogurt. The cream cheese w,old make it more of a dip instead of a salad.
Pat
I use the same recipe but add 8 oz of lite cream cheese…….everyone asks for the recipe!
Jean
I have made this for years and use chili cheese Fritos and always get asked for the recipe
nikki
Do you think you could use a Greek plain yogurt instead of mayo ? Take away a lot of those fat calories !
Elizabeth
We did this about a month ago. I nearly ate the whole bowl myself 🙂 It’s really easy to make and hard to screw up. I didn’t have Fritos so I crumbled up some of those green giant veggie chips and they worked great! Use low fat mayo and low fat cheese if you’re concerned about calories and fat.
KOOLKOOLKELLEY
i ADD TOMATOES CHOPPED WITH THE PEPPERS
heidi
What do u eat this salad with? Do you dip chips or crackers in it or just eat it with utensils?
Tanya
Maybe will try replacing some of the mayo with avocado. That sounds so good!
Danielle
We substituted the mayo with plain greek yogurt, then added fiesta corn because of my laziness. Then shredded carrots and a can of black beans. Very very yummy. Nice & refreshing summer salad.
Erica
I made this tonight. It was gross – tasted way too Mayoey (and I like Mayo) and not much flavor otherwise. My kids even hated it. I ended up having to throw it all away – which really made me mad because I paid full price for the Fritos. Don’t waste your time or money.
Renee
I add jalepenos and its great
Melissa
I’ve been making this for years! We call it funeral corn :). I only use a 1/2 cup of mayo though, and do red and green peppers. You can also sub plain FF Greek yogurt for the mayo to make it healthier 🙂
Stargazer
My mother made this recipe for years. It was very popular when I was a little girl, and honestly I don’t see where this recipe should be attributed to Paula Deen.
Tina Ray
I made this in June for a family party. It was really good. However, the fritos didn’t taste so good the day after. I think I would put this out in protions with the fritos that way if I had left overs the fritos wouldn’t be soggy.
Nina
I was looking for QUICK side dishes to put together for my daughters birthday. I made this; very nervously, because it didn’t sound delicious to me. However, to my pleasant surprise, everybody loved it! I thought it was so yummy, as well! I will definitely make this again for “parties”.
Cindy R
I make this at large gatherings…you can use sour cream instead of mayo.
I use mexican corn, chopped celery, green onion, shredded cheese, sour cream,
olives, chili fritos…. I am making it today for an open house and I think I am going
to put in green chilies …anyone tried that?
Jamie G
Is this a dip or a side dish…looks great but what do you eat it with?
Jessica D
I made this for a country themed baby shower…it was really good following the recipe… however, I left some on a plate of leftovers and accidentally microwaved it. The cheese was all melty and creamy…and it took this from delicious to AMAZING!
Judy P
Oh the possibilities of this dish! You could make so many variations, it’s just mind boggleing. I was thinking it would be fabulous with chunked imitation crab meat in it, with plain Fritoes of course.
Karen
Love this recipe. We add Ranch dressing instead of mayo – refrigerate veggies overnight and add the Fritos right before serving.
Jeanie
I often make this for church dinners and everyone loves it. I always use frozen veggies and just 2 Tablespoons of Mayo. It thaws during the service and is perfect by lunchtime. I add in the crushed fritos at the last minute. There is never any left-over.
Rwood
You can get organic corn chips on Etsy…sunflowersundries
Debi N
I must be the only one that didn’t like this. I fixed it just like the recipe said, didn’t switch anything, and I was very disappointed. Everyone said it was so good, but I won’t ever make it again.
K. Fales
when I can’t find chili cheese fritos I mix taco seasoning into the mayo. I also add black beans to this recipe
J Ray
This is my go to side dish to take to potlucks! I love it and it’s always a hit. It’s a little addicting, just FYI!