Grilled Corn Salad
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Our Grilled Corn Salad recipe is a summer salad that is packed with flavor from grilled summer corn, fresh tomatoes, avocados, lime juice, red onion and cilantro.

If you eat with your eyes, you’ll definitely want to start here with this Grilled Corn Salad with garden fresh veggies and lime. You’re going to absolutely love this. It is one of our all-time favorite side salads for BBQ season. The cilantro and lime dressing combined with juicy fresh grilled sweet corn with tomatoes and avocados makes amazing summer fresh corn salad that everyone will love. Your farmer’s market haul is going to be put to good use in this charred corn salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s an easy, healthy side dish and one that everyone loves.
- The homemade lime dressing adds a punch of citrus and it also keeps the avocado from turning brown.
- It’s perfect as a make ahead recipe because the flavors get better when they chill together. Perfect for summer entertaining!
Ingredients for Corn Salad
- Fresh corn on the cob – You could also use canned or frozen and saute it in a frying pan, but fresh on the grill gives you the best flavor and texture!
- Olive oil – Used to make the dressing for this salad, you can also use vegetable oil, canola oil or whatever you have on hand with a high smoke point.
- Fresh lime juice – Skip the bottle which has extra sugar added to it.
- Seasonings – Ground black pepper, ground cumin and salt.
- Diced avocado – Make sure it’s still slightly firm or it will mash into the salad when you mix it.
- Cherry tomatoes – Cut in half, you could also use a Roma tomato and dice it.
- Red onion – Finely chop the red onion for great added flavor.
- Cilantro – Finely chopped, gives it the perfect burst of Mexican flavor.
What Else Can I Add To Grilled Corn Salad?
- Cheese: Mix in some crumbled feta cheese or cotija cheese.
- Veggies: Amp up the color, crunch and flavor with diced jalapeno, red bell pepper or chopped fresh spinach.
- Beans: Mix in some black beans or pinto beans.
- Fresh herbs: Swap the cilantro for fresh parsley or chives.
How to Make Grilled Corn Salad
- Brush shucked corn with olive oil and season with salt. Grill until corn is tender and has nice char marks. Let it cool.
- Cut the kernels off the cobs with a sharp knife and place in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil and salt, lime juice, cumin and black pepper. Set aside.
- Add avocado, tomatoes, diced onion and cilantro to the bowl with the corn. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to combine.

Pro Tips
- You can also cook the corn in a grill pan on the stovetop using the same method.
- Next time you make grilled corn, double up the batch and you’re done some of the prep for this salad ahead of time.
- If you want to grill the corn with husks on, soak them beforehand so they don’t burn.
Storage
Grilled corn salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. The flavors only get better.

Pick up the ingredients for this grilled corn salad and make it this week. Once you try it, you will be making this easy, delicious salad all summer long.

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Grilled Corn Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ears fresh corn husked
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 5 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 limes juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 avocado diced into ½" pieces
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 2/3 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Clean grill and prepare for direct heat over medium, about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Brush corn with 2 Tablespoons olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Grill over direct heat, with lid closed, until char marks have formed and corn is tender. This will take 10-15 minutes. Turn corn occasionally. Remove from grill and cool enough to handle. Cut the kernels from the cobs and place into large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil and salt, lime juice, cumin and ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Add diced avocado, sliced tomatoes, diced onion and chopped cilantro to bowl with corn. Pour dressing on top. Toss to gently combine. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
How To Serve Grilled Corn Salad
You may want to double (or triple!) this if you’re making it for family or friends. It’s so full of great crunch and everyone loves this salad! Grilled corn salad is also a great topper for our Chicken Street Tacos, Best Hamburger Recipe and BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza. Get the napkins ready!
Of course it is a great side dish alongside Marinated Grilled Vegetable and Steak Kabobs or Southwestern Pork Chops.
More Corn Recipes
- Grilled Corn Guacamole is a quick and easy appetizer that is bursting with summer flavors. Grab your favorite corn chips and dig in!
- Loaded with flavor and a deliciously creamy dressing, Mexican Street Corn will be the hit of your next BBQ.
- Flank Steak with Corn Salsa is a light and delicious summer dinner. The dry chili lime marinade makes a restaurant-quality meal everyone will rave over.
- Elevate juicy corn on the cob by making Elotes, a classic Mexican street corn that is perfectly spiced and doused in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Jeff Vance says
My favorite side salad. Also use it on tostados with taco beef, chicken or carne asado
Sarah Hill says
Yummy! So glad it’s a favorite! Thanks so much for commenting and rating!
Cristal Ahearn says
This is yummy! I like to add it to the top of my shrimp tacos!
Courtney says
WOW, that does sound delicious! Thank you for taking the time to rate this recipe!
Jounayet Rahman says
I made this corn salad. It’s healthy & testy.
Cheri says
If you’re a south-of-the-border food fan, cilantro “makes it”! If you’re a north-of-the-border food fan, dill weed “makes it”! I am a northern girl. Dill was a hit!
the Evinks says
Isn’t this the truth! Glad you enjoyed it.
Sue Gaines says
Made this for a family gathering and everyone liked it.
the Evinks says
Awesome to hear Sue! Thanks for rating and commenting on the recipe!
Malinda says
We loved this corn salad! Served it with grilled chicken and we all loved it!
Megan Mitzel says
Perfect! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Danielle says
This was a hit at our house! So much flavor!
Megan Mitzel says
It’s one of our favorites, so glad you enjoyed it!
Alison LaFortune says
So much flavor here! Big hit at the neighborhood potluck!
Megan Mitzel says
Glad it as a hit! Thanks for sharing!
Rachel says
Hi, how far ahead could you make this salad? Morning of a BBQ? Or the day before, or does it really need to be served right away?
Thanks
Megan Mitzel says
It would definitely be best served fresh but the lime juice should keep the avocados from turning brown so I would think the morning of the BBQ would be fine. I don’t know that making it the day before would be the best option.
Jenni says
I made this corn salad this past weekend and it was amazing! It was so easy, and grilling the corn really made a big difference in how it tasted!
Megan Mitzel says
So happy you enjoyed it!
Nellie Tracy says
LOVE this recipe! So perfect for summer!
Megan Mitzel says
Glad you loved it!
Renee Goerger says
I’m headed to the farmers market tomorrow so I can buy the corn to make this salad. Great recipe!!
Megan Mitzel says
Awesome! Let us know how it turns out!
Liz says
I love corn salads, but this was the first I made using grilled corn! It was AMAZING!!!
Megan Mitzel says
Glad you loved it!