This grilled corn salad is sweet, colorful, and packed with flavor.

Grilled corn salad is packed with lightly charred kernels of corn, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and tossed in a tangy vinaigrette!

This salad can be made with fresh or leftover grilled corn on the cob or even canned or frozen corn.

grilled corn and tomato salad topped with feta cheese and parsley

A Great Way to Enjoy Fresh Summer Corn

  • Grilled corn salad is great as a side dish or as a salsa for street tacos and it’s easy to make!
  • You can also chop the tomatoes smaller and servce with a side of tortilla chips, or scoop some into tacos! It will be a favorite ‘house’ salad all summer long!
  • Light and healthy, grilled corn salad holds up better than lettuce-based salads on a picnic table or at a potluck.
  • Make this homemade corn salad recipe up to a day ahead! Just assemble, cover, and chill. Stir and garnish before serving.

Grilled Corn Salad Ingredients

Corn – Corn salad is noted for its slightly charred corn kernels that become sweet and smoky when they’re grilled. We love fresh corn if we have it but canned or frozen corn work too.

Frozen or canned can be tossed with the oil and placed under the broiler until they are just a little charred to get that smoky flavor. Cool completely before using.

Fresh Veggies – Cherry tomatoes and green or red onion add lots of flavor and color. Substitute cherry or grape tomatoes for any variety. Other veggies that will taste great are chopped cucumbers, red bell pepper, or diced avocados, .

Grilled Corn Salad in a bowl

Dressing for Corn Salad

The dressing for this salad is quite different than what we use for salsa, pico de Gallo, or even Cowboy Caviar. In this recipe, a simple combination of vinegar and olive oil with some fresh herbs is all that is needed. A splash of lemon juice can be added if you’d like. Season with salt and pepper.

We love white balsamic in this recipe but you can use any light flavored vinegar like white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

If you’d prefer more of a Tex-Mex or Mexican style dressing, swap the vinegar for lime juice and add fresh cilantro and garlic (and a diced jalapeno if you’d like!). Sprinkle with cotija cheese.

grilled corn cut off of the cob on a wood cutting board

Removing Corn from the Cob

No need to purchase a special tool to remove corn from the cob. This method is simple and gets every last kernel!

  1. Place a folded paper towel on the bottom of a bowl.
  2. Hold the ear of corn vertically with the small end on the bottom of the bowl.
  3. Using a sharp knife or paring knife, gently slice down the rows from top to bottom. The kernels will easily cut away from the cob.

How to Make Corn Salad

In this summer corn salad, we skip the heavy creamy dressing and opt for light and fresh.

  1. Grill corn over medium heat until the kernels are lightly charred.
  2. Cool completely & remove the kernels from the cobs (as per the recipe below).
  3. Toss all ingredients, including dressing, into a bowl & let marinate before serving. 
  4. Garnish with sliced scallions or lime wedges.
grilled corn salad with a serving spoon

Storing Grilled Corn Salad

Grilled corn salad tastes better the next day! Store it in a covered container for 3 to 4 days. Stir before serving. Add it to some fish tacos, top it onto crostini, or add it to garlic bread and make bruschetta.

More Corn Side Dish Recipes

Did your family love this Grilled Corn Salad? Leave us a comment and a rating below!

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grilled corn and tomato salad topped with feta cheese and parsley
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Grilled Corn Salad

This tasty salad combines crunchy kernels of corn with juicy tomatoes, feta cheese, and basil, all tossed in a simple oil vinaigrette.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinate Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

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Ingredients  

  • 3 corn on the cob shucked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing corn
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley
  • 2 tablespoons diced red onion or 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Preheat grill to medium heat.
  • Brush corn with olive oil and grill over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  • Once cooled, place the corn in a bowl or on a cutting board. Use a paring knife to cut the kernels off of the corn running from top to bottom.
  • Place the corn in a medium bowl and add all remaining ingredients. Let rest at least 15 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with additional feta cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

No Corn Cobs? No Problem! Grilled corn can be replaced with frozen or canned corn. Thaw or drain the corn well and toss with olive oil. Place the corn on a rimmed baking sheet and broil on high (500°F) until the corn begins to brown. Cool completely.
Store leftover corn salad in a covered container for up to 3-4 days. Stir before serving.
4.93 from 14 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 145 | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 706IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
grilled corn salad in a bowl with tomatoes shown with a title
Grilled Corn Salad in a bowl with writing
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finished Grilled Corn Salad and plated with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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