Fresh Grilled Corn Salad with Creamy Cotija Cheese
A quick and easy summer salad featuring smoky grilled corn tossed in a creamy Cotija cheese dressing, perfect for backyard barbecues and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
- 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended; can substitute Greek yogurt or vegan mayo)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F/200°C).
- Husk the corn and remove all silk strands. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
- Grill the corn directly on the grill grates, turning every 2 to 3 minutes until evenly charred, about 10 to 12 minutes total.
- Let the grilled corn cool for a few minutes, then carefully slice the kernels off the cob into a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Drizzle olive oil over the corn kernels and toss gently. Pour the dressing over the corn and stir until well coated.
- Fold in crumbled Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and diced jalapeño if using. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately.
- Optional: Reserve a tablespoon or two of Cotija cheese to sprinkle on top just before serving.
Notes
Dry the corn before grilling to avoid flare-ups. Hold the ear vertically when cutting kernels off to get whole kernels. Add fresh herbs like cilantro just before serving to keep flavor bright. Can substitute feta cheese if Cotija is unavailable. For vegan version, use vegan mayo and plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 6.5
Keywords: grilled corn salad, Cotija cheese, summer salad, easy side dish, barbecue side, creamy dressing, smoky corn