Fresh Grilled Corn Salad with Cotija Cheese
A quick and easy fresh grilled corn salad featuring smoky charred corn, creamy Cotija cheese, and a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for summer BBQs and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
- 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Husk the ears of corn and remove all silk. Optionally brush corn lightly with olive oil.
- Grill the corn directly on the grill grates, turning every 2-3 minutes for 10-12 minutes until kernels are tender with some blackened spots.
- Let the corn cool for 5 minutes. Stand each ear on its end and slice downward to remove kernels.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss grilled corn kernels with diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and fresh cilantro.
- Whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese over the top and toss gently, leaving some cheese on top for garnish.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, lime juice, or chili powder as needed. Add optional jalapeño if desired and mix.
- Serve immediately while slightly warm or chill covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Use a serrated knife to remove kernels cleanly. For a dairy-free version, substitute Cotija cheese with toasted pumpkin seeds or vegan cheese. The salad can be served warm or chilled. Avoid microwaving leftovers to prevent sogginess. Adding sour cream or Greek yogurt can make the salad creamier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: grilled corn salad, Cotija cheese, summer salad, BBQ side dish, Mexican salad, fresh corn, easy salad recipe