Smoky & Spicy Grilled Corn Salad: Your Ultimate Summer Side Dish

Discover the vibrant flavors of summer with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Grilled Corn Salad. Perfect for when sweet corn is at its peak, this refreshing side dish boasts the irresistible char of grilled corn, complemented by a tantalizing smoky kick and a hint of heat from chipotle peppers. It’s a culinary celebration of fresh produce, designed to elevate any backyard barbecue or casual weeknight meal with its unique blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.

Summer offers an abundance of fresh produce, and few vegetables capture the essence of the season quite like sweet corn. When those golden kernels start hitting market stands, it’s a clear sign that long, warm evenings and delicious garden dinners are upon us. While there’s a timeless joy in eating corn on the cob, sometimes it’s wonderful to explore new and exciting ways to enjoy this seasonal favorite. This Grilled Corn Salad provides the perfect opportunity to do just that, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable dish.

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Corn Salad

This salad isn’t just another side dish; it’s a celebration of summer flavors and simplicity. Here are several reasons why this recipe is sure to become a staple in your warm-weather repertoire:

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The star of this dish is undoubtedly the grilled corn, which develops a beautiful caramelization and smoky depth that simply cannot be achieved through boiling or steaming. This natural sweetness is perfectly balanced by the vibrant tang of lime juice and the unique smokiness and subtle heat of chipotle peppers.
• Effortlessly Delicious: Despite its gourmet taste, this grilled corn salad is remarkably easy to prepare. If you’re already firing up the grill for dinner, tossing a few ears of corn on is virtually no extra effort. The dressing comes together in minutes, and the assembly is quick and straightforward.
• Seasonal Perfection: There’s nothing quite like fresh, in-season corn. This recipe truly showcases the best of summer’s bounty, allowing the natural sweetness of the corn and tomatoes to shine.
• Versatile Pairing: Whether you’re serving up barbecue ribs, grilled chicken, juicy burgers, or even light fish tacos, this salad is an incredibly versatile side. Its fresh, zesty profile complements a wide range of main dishes.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: In fact, this salad tastes even better after a little time in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. This makes it an ideal option for potlucks, picnics, or when you need a delicious side prepared in advance for entertaining.
• Vibrant and Appetizing: With its medley of bright red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and golden corn kernels, this salad is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. It adds a beautiful pop of color to any plate.

I find myself making this grilled corn salad again and again throughout the summer, often alongside other beloved seasonal favorites like this Herbed Tomato Salad, a refreshing Avocado and Tomato Salad, a zesty Korean Cucumber Salad, or my all-time comforting Tomato and Basil Bake.

Ingredients for Your Grilled Corn Salad

Creating this flavorful salad relies on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the delicious layers of taste and texture:

• Fresh Corn: The cornerstone of this dish. You’ll need about 4 ears of fresh corn. Ensure they are shucked and thoroughly cleaned, removing all the silky fibers. Grilling them is essential for developing their sweet, smoky char.
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds a crisp texture and a lovely, mild sweetness. While any color bell pepper will work, red peppers tend to be the sweetest and contribute a beautiful vibrant hue to the salad. Dice it into small, uniform pieces.
• Tomatoes: Bursting with juicy, garden-fresh flavor. Grape or cherry tomatoes are perfect for this recipe due to their convenient size and concentrated sweetness. If you have larger, heirloom tomatoes from your garden, feel free to chop them into bite-sized pieces instead.
• Green Onions: Provide a delicate, fresh oniony zest without overpowering the other ingredients. Thinly slice both the white and light green parts.
• Chipotle Chile in Adobo Sauce: This is the secret ingredient that gives the salad its signature smoky depth and gentle heat. Look for canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, usually found in the Mexican food section of your grocery store. Carefully remove one or two chiles from the can, mince them finely, and remember that you can remove the seeds before mincing to reduce the heat level, tailoring it to your preference. Start with less and add more if you desire extra spice.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Essential for brightening the entire salad. Its vibrant acidity cuts through the richness, enhances the freshness of the vegetables, and ties all the flavors together. Always opt for freshly squeezed lime juice for the best possible taste.
• Olive Oil: Forms the smooth base of our zesty dressing. Extra virgin olive oil lends a rich, fruity note, but a more neutral oil like vegetable or avocado oil can also be used.
• Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar works wonders in balancing the acidity and heat, while also amplifying the natural sweetness of the grilled corn and ripe tomatoes.
• Salt: A fundamental seasoning that enhances all the other flavors. Add it to taste, starting with a quarter teaspoon and adjusting as needed.
• Ground Cumin: Introduces an additional layer of warm, earthy smokiness that beautifully complements the chipotle, adding complexity to the dressing.

How to Make This Flavorful Grilled Corn Salad

Follow these simple steps to bring this vibrant and smoky grilled corn salad to life. The process is designed to be easy, even for novice cooks, ensuring a delicious result every time:

1. Prepare the Dressing: Begin by creating your zesty and smoky dressing. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the fresh lime juice, olive oil, finely minced chipotle chile (remember to remove seeds for a milder heat), sugar, salt, and ground cumin. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well emulsified and evenly combined. Set this bowl aside while you prepare the corn.
2. Grill the Corn to Perfection: Preheat your outdoor grill or a grill pan on the stovetop to a medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, place the shucked and cleaned ears of corn directly onto the grates. Grill for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, rotating the corn every few minutes to ensure even cooking and charring on all sides. You’re looking for tender kernels with appealing dark brown or black char marks, which add crucial flavor. Once grilled, remove the corn from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This is important for easy handling and to prevent the other vegetables from wilting.
3. Cut Kernels from Cobs: Once the grilled corn is cool enough to comfortably handle, you’ll need to remove the kernels from the cobs. A helpful trick to minimize mess is to place a small bowl upside down in the center of a larger mixing bowl. Stand one end of a corn cob on the bottom of the inverted small bowl; this provides a stable elevated platform. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice downwards along the cob, letting the sweet kernels fall directly into the surrounding large bowl. Repeat with the remaining ears of corn.
4. Combine All Ingredients: Add the freshly cut grilled corn kernels to the large bowl containing your prepared dressing. Incorporate the diced red bell pepper, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, and thinly sliced green onions into the bowl.
5. Toss and Mix: Using a spoon or tongs, gently but thoroughly stir all the ingredients together. Ensure that every single kernel of corn and piece of vegetable is beautifully coated in the zesty, smoky dressing.
6. Chill for Optimal Flavor: For the best possible taste experience, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the grilled corn salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This crucial chilling time allows all the distinct flavors to meld and harmonize, deepening the overall deliciousness of the salad.

Expert Tips for the Best Grilled Corn Salad

To ensure your grilled corn salad is absolutely perfect every time, consider these helpful tips and tricks:

• Choosing the Freshest Corn: The quality of your corn directly impacts the flavor of this salad. Look for ears with bright green husks that are tightly wrapped around the cob. The silk should be slightly damp and golden or light brown. Feel the kernels through the husk; they should be plump and firm.
• Alternative Corn Preparation: If grilling is not an option due to weather or equipment, or if you simply prefer a different texture, you can still make this delicious salad. You can boil your fresh corn until tender (about 5-7 minutes) before cutting off the kernels. Alternatively, for ultimate convenience, use frozen corn. Simply thaw about 2 cups of frozen kernels thoroughly before adding them to the salad. While you’ll miss the char, the flavors will still be fantastic.
• Customizing the Heat Level: Chipotle chiles can pack a punch! Start with half a minced chile and taste the dressing before adding more. For a milder flavor, always remove the seeds from the chipotle pepper before mincing, as most of the heat resides there. This allows you to enjoy the smoky notes without overwhelming your palate.
• Always Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, give your salad a good taste test. This is your chance to make it perfect! You might find it needs a pinch more salt to enhance the flavors, a squeeze of extra lime juice for brightness, or even a touch more sugar to balance the acidity. Don’t be shy about adjusting to your personal preference.
• Make-Ahead Advantages: This salad is one of those rare dishes that actually improves with time. Preparing it at least 30 minutes in advance allows the dressing to fully penetrate the vegetables, letting all the flavors mingle and deepen. You can confidently make this salad up to 24 hours ahead of time, making it a fantastic choice for entertaining or meal prepping. For optimal freshness and texture, I generally wouldn’t recommend making it more than one day in advance.
• Serving Temperature: This grilled corn salad is wonderfully versatile in terms of serving temperature. It’s fantastic served chilled on a hot summer day, offering a refreshing contrast to warm main dishes. It’s also delightful served closer to room temperature, allowing its complex flavors to be more prominent.

Serving Suggestions for Your Grilled Corn Salad

This vibrant and flavorful grilled corn salad is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of summer meals. Here are some ideas to inspire your menu planning:

• Barbecue Classics: It’s the quintessential side for any barbecue. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, juicy steaks, tender ribs, or pulled pork sandwiches. Its freshness cuts through the richness of grilled meats.
• Seafood Pairings: The zesty lime and smoky chipotle notes make it a perfect complement to seafood. Try it with grilled salmon, pan-seared scallops, or as a fresh topping for fish tacos.
• Casual Cookouts: Elevate your backyard burgers and hot dogs by serving this salad instead of traditional potato salad or coleslaw. It offers a lighter, more exciting flavor profile.
• Mexican-Inspired Meals: Given its chipotle kick, this salad fits right in with Mexican cuisine. Serve it alongside enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, or as a vibrant, chunky salsa with tortilla chips.
• Vegetarian Mains: Pair it with black bean burgers, grilled halloumi, or a hearty vegetarian chili for a satisfying meat-free meal.

More Delicious Fresh Corn Recipes to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the sweet and versatile nature of fresh corn, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic recipes that feature this beloved summer vegetable:

• Cheesy Cheddar Corn Fritters: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with corn goodness.
• Zesty Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites): A creamy, tangy, and spicy take on classic Mexican street corn, perfect as a dip or side.
• Creamy Corn and Green Chile Dip: A warm and comforting dip, perfect for parties and gatherings.
• Grilled Corn on the Cob with Smoky Butter: The ultimate classic, elevated with a richly flavored smoky butter.
• Hearty Potato Salad with Corn and Poblanos: A unique twist on potato salad, combining starchy potatoes with sweet corn and mild poblano peppers.
• Savory Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Chicken and Corn: A filling and flavorful main dish, featuring tender chicken and sweet corn baked inside mild poblano peppers.

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Grilled Corn Salad

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Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Refrigeration Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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Perfect for when corn is in season, this Grilled Corn Salad is an easy summertime side dish. Filled with flavor from grilled corn, there is also a hit of smokiness and heat from chipotle peppers.

Ingredients

• 4 ears corn shucked and cleaned
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 to 1 canned chipotle chiles minced (seeds removed for less heat)
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 3/4 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
2. Once hot, add the corn and grill until charred, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes. Cool the corn completely.
3. In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, olive oil, minced chile, sugar, salt, and cumin. Whisk to combine.
4. Cut the kernels from the corn cobs, and add them to the bowl with the dressing. Add the bell pepper, tomatoes, and green onion.
5. Mix everything to combine, making sure it is all coated with the dressing.
6. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes:

Adapted from: Cooking Light July 2008

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 64kcal (3%), Carbohydrates: 11g (4%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 85mg (4%), Potassium: 155mg (4%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 2g (2%)

Keywords: grilled corn salad, summer side dish, chipotle corn, fresh corn recipe