Southwest Grilled Corn Salad is a fresh and healthy dish that's packed with zesty flavors and crunchy textures. Serve as a side dish, or topping for salads and tacos!
Raise your hand if you’re in denial that summer is more than halfway over [SOB]!
I’m so excited for my kids to be able to experience school inside an ACTUAL school this year, and I can’t say the back-to-school supplies being unloaded at Target the other day didn’t make my heart flutter (got Gwen the cutest unicorn pencil holder for her…pencils? Ok she’s only 3, but it was too cute to resist) but the fact that August is just around the corner is sending me into a slight panic.
MORE pool. MORE fireflies. MORE popsicles. MORE SWEET CORN!
That is to say, Iowa sweet corn made its debut a few weeks ago and we have been eating it like it’s going out of style -er, season, which doesn’t last long. I served boiled sweet corn cobs at a BBQ we recently had with my parents and my Mom stopped mid chomp to ensure we were eating Iowa sweet corn. Not Nebraska, not Florida — gen-U-ine, Iowa sweet corn. These are the important things in life! ;)
Anyway, I decided to char then slice the kernels from our latest sweet corn haul to star in this fresh and healthy Southwest Grilled Corn Salad. This cool and crunchy corn salad is a must try before the sun sets on summer!
Southwest Corn Salad with a Grilled Twist
Fresh sweet corn cobs are charred over an open flame on the grill, or in a grill pan on the stove, then the crisp kernels join red bell pepper, purple onion, minced jalapeno, and a near ton of chopped cilantro before being drizzled with a just-tangy-enough Chili Lime Dressing. SO GOOD.
The charred sweet corn kernels are absolutely divine with the hints of smoke and spice from the chili powder in the dressing, and minced jalapeno in the salad. There is no shortage of flavors and textures in this healthy little side dish.
Serving Suggestions
Southwest Grilled Corn Salad is perfect to serve as a side dish for a backyard cookout, but it’s versatile! Try it in…
- Salads. Add a big scoop of corn salad to a lettuce salad with cherry tomatoes, southwestern tortilla strips, and diced avocado for a nearly instant Southwestern Salad. Such an easy way to add tons of flavor to plain lettuce.
- Tacos. Spoon this healthy corn salad onto shredded pork or chicken tacos for a burst of flavor.
- Burrito Bowls. Chipotle’s got nothing on this corn salad turned salsa!
- Chip Dip. This corn salad is absolutely begging to be dunked into with salty tortilla chips. Can 100% confirm it’s a match made in heaven.
How to Make This Dish
Start by grilling sweet corn on a gas or charcoal grill over high heat, or a grill pan that’s been heated over high heat. No oil nor spray needed! Add the ears then rotate until they’re slightly charred all over — not too long or the kernels can get chewy. You won’t hear constant sizzling like you would if you were cooking bacon, for example — rather, just a few pops and hisses every so often.
Watch How to Slice Kernels from the Cob
Set the corn aside to cool slightly, then slice the kernels off the cob. Here’s my go-to method for cleanly slicing kernels off the cob.
Next add the charred kernels to a large mixing bowl with chopped red bell pepper, red onion, fresh cilantro, and jalapenos.
Next drizzle over a spoon-drink-worthy Chili Lime Salad Dressing – SWOON! – then stir to combine. That’s just fresh lime juice mixed with extra virgin olive oil, honey, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
That’s all she wrote! You can serve this Southwest Corn Salad immediately, though I do love to give it some time in the fridge so all the flavors have a chance to meld together.
Whether you serve a scoop next to dinner, as a taco topper, or dug into with tortilla chips, I hope you love this fresh and healthy corn salad recipe – enjoy!
More Sweet Corn Recipes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Napa Sweet Corn Salad
- Sweet Corn Caprese Salad
- Southwestern Black Bean Dip
- Grilled Corn and Avocado Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 large or 5 small ears sweet corn, shucked
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded then chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 2 jalapenos, seeds and ribs removed then minced
- large handful fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Chili-Lime Dressing:
- 6 Tablespoons lime juice, ~2 limes
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Heat a gas or charcoal grill on high heat or place a grill pan on the stove over high heat. Once very hot, add corn cobs - dry, no oil needed - then rotate until slightly charred all over. Don't overcook as the kernels can become chewy. Cool slightly then slice kernels off the cob using the method described in this post.
- Add corn to a large mixing bowl with red pepper, red onion, jalapenos, and cilantro. Drizzle enough Chili-Lime Dressing over to coat (I generally use ~3/4 of the prepared dressing) then taste and add more salt if needed. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate until later. Add remaining dressing if needed when serving.
For the Chili Lime Dressing:
- Add all ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid then shake to combine. Can be made up to 5 days ahead of time.
Notes
- Serve this dish as a side dish, add to lettuce salads, or scoop onto tacos or burrito bowls.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Well, this isn’t something I thought I’d eat but I’d tried some at a restaurant and we have leftover grilled corn. I forgot to add the peppers but did add tomato. Even with my changes, it came out great! Yes, that dressing is a game changer. Yum!
Woo! So glad you loved it, Beth!!
what can i use instead of honey or is it ok to leave it out all together
Hi Leah! You could use white sugar instead. I’d start with 2 teaspoons then add more if desired.
This salad looks amazingly delish and I am curious to try making it.
I hope you love it, Shweta!
Oh how I miss Iowa sweet corn. This looks like a good summer recipe
It really is delicious – I hope you get a chance to try it, Nancy!
Looks perfect to take to a potluck I have coming up this weekend!
Fabulous!! I hope it’s a hit!
Mmmm this looks so good. Corn in Jersey is great right now(never as great as tomatoes or blueberries, but pretty decent for the East), this is a super way to use up the 6000 ears my Mom dropped off from the Paramus weekend farmers’ market LOL
I can so relate ???????????? My Mom still shops and cooks for 5, decades after all of us have left the house!