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Fresh Grilled Corn Salad Recipe with Cotija and Zesty Lime – Easy Perfect Summer Side

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A quick and easy fresh grilled corn salad featuring smoky charred corn, crumbly Cotija cheese, and a zesty lime dressing with a hint of chili powder. Perfect for summer gatherings and pairs well with grilled meats or seafood.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • Juice of 2 fresh limes
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (or parsley as substitute)
  • 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (Ancho chili powder recommended)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
  2. Grill the husked corn directly on the grill grates for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes until kernels have a light char and smell smoky but not burnt.
  3. Let the corn cool slightly, then slice the kernels off the cob using a sharp knife, holding the cob upright on a cutting board.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Dice the red bell pepper, slice the green onions thinly, chop the cilantro finely, and mince the jalapeño if using.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine grilled corn kernels, red bell pepper, green onions, jalapeño, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat.
  7. Fold in the crumbled Cotija cheese gently to keep it crumbly.
  8. Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. Avoid over-charring the corn to prevent bitterness. Toast chili powder briefly for deeper flavor if desired. Salad can be made ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving. For a dairy-free version, substitute Cotija with vegan cheese or toasted pepitas. Jalapeño is optional and can be adjusted for heat preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn salad, Cotija cheese, lime dressing, summer side dish, easy salad, smoky corn, fresh cilantro, chili powder

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/fresh-grilled-corn-salad-recipe-with-cotija-and-zesty-lime-easy-perfect-summer-side/