Fresh Grilled Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime
A quick and easy summer salad featuring smoky grilled corn, tangy lime juice, and salty cotija cheese, perfect for BBQs and casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husks removed
- ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder or smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C).
- Remove husks and silk from corn completely. Rinse and pat dry. Optionally brush ears lightly with olive oil.
- Grill the corn directly on the grill grates, turning every 2-3 minutes for even charring, about 10-12 minutes total until kernels have blackened spots but remain plump.
- Let the grilled corn rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
- Cut kernels off the cob by standing the ear upright in a sturdy bowl and slicing downward carefully.
- In a large bowl, combine warm corn kernels with cotija cheese, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro.
- Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lime juice. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and chili powder if using. Toss gently to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra lime or salt if needed.
- Serve immediately while slightly warm or chill for up to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
If you don’t have a grill, use a broiler or pan-roast kernels in a cast iron skillet with smoked paprika. For vegan version, substitute cotija with seasoned tofu or dairy-free cheese. Grill corn a day ahead and add cheese and dressing before serving to save time. Use a serrated knife for easier kernel removal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: grilled corn salad, cotija cheese, lime, summer salad, BBQ side dish, Mexican salad, easy corn salad