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Fresh Grilled Corn Salad Recipe with Easy Zesty Lime Crema Dressing

fresh grilled corn salad - featured image

A fresh and smoky grilled corn salad tossed with crunchy veggies and a tangy lime crema dressing, perfect for summer gatherings and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional but recommended)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (optional but highly recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C).
  2. Husk the ears of corn, removing all silk strands. Brush each ear evenly with olive oil.
  3. Grill the corn for 10–12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes until golden brown with slightly blackened spots.
  4. Let the corn rest for 5 minutes, then carefully slice the kernels off the cob into a large mixing bowl.
  5. Dice the red bell pepper, finely chop the red onion, mince the jalapeño (if using), and roughly chop the cilantro.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, fresh lime juice, lime zest, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  7. Add the chopped vegetables and cilantro to the bowl with the corn. Drizzle the lime crema over the top and gently fold to combine.
  8. Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the salad and toss gently. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve fresh or let rest at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with full-fat coconut yogurt and omit cotija cheese. Grilling the corn a day ahead and storing in the fridge can save time. Use fresh lime juice and zest for best flavor. Fold salad gently to preserve texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn salad, lime crema, summer salad, easy side dish, smoky corn, fresh corn salad, zesty dressing