By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 26, 2025
Try my Grilled Corn Salad recipe this summer using fresh seasonal corn! Perfect for picnics or as a side for a BBQ, this flavorful summer salad is easy and quick to assemble. You can easily prepare it ahead of time, which makes it a hassle-free and a delicious addition to any gathering!
5-Star Review
“Everyone who I serve this for absolutely raves about it. It is requested on a regular basis whenever the word potluck it uttered.” -Melissa
Easy Grilled Corn Salad
Corn is always a star in the BBQs we host during summer. Grilling up fresh Corn on the Cob is so easy and just screams summer to me. I put this delicious grilled salad together in just 20 minutes. It’s so simple yet full of flavors. The charred corn kernels are spiced with jalapeños, cilantro, mint, lime juice and cotija cheese for a flavor burst.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 5 ears corn shucked & silks removed
- ▢ 3-4 jalapeno peppers seeds removed, diced
- ▢ ¼ cup fresh mint leaves rough-chopped (1 tablespoon reserved)
- ▢ ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves rough-chopped
- ▢ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 2/3 cup crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco cheese 1 tablespoon reserved
- ▢ 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ▢ 3 tablespoons neutral oil such as canola or a blend
- ▢ 2 teaspoons agave syrup or honey
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ ¾ cup dry-roasted peanuts toasted chopped hazelnuts or pistachios
- ▢ Garnish with the reserved mint leaves and Cotija cheese
Video
Instructions
- Grill the corn until lightly charred on all sides. Transfer them to a plate and let them cool to the touch. 5 ears corn
- Cut off the corn kernels and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add diced jalapeno, most of the mint, cilantro, Parmesan and most of the Cotija cheese to the corn. Mix well. 3-4 jalapeno peppers, ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2/3 cup crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco cheese
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice, oil, agave syrup, salt, and black pepper. Whisk briskly about 1 minute. 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice, 3 tablespoons neutral oil, 2 teaspoons agave syrup or honey, ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pour the vinaigrette over the corn mixture and toss until all ingredients are coated.
- Just before serving, add the peanuts and gently mix to combine. ¾ cup dry-roasted peanuts
- Garnish with the reserved cheese and mint leaves. Enjoy! Garnish with the reserved mint leaves and Cotija cheese
Becky’s Tips
- Feel free to add more veggies like cucumber, shallot, carrots, tomato, or avocado.
- Swap out cilantro for dill leaves or parsley if desired.
- Chickpeas, black beans, red beans, tofu, and paneer are some proteins that can be added.
- Grilled corn tastes better when fresh, though you can make this salad with frozen corn as well. Thaw before grilling.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to make this Grilled Corn Salad Recipe Step by Step
Grill the corn: Grill 5 ears of corn until lightly charred on all sides. Transfer to a plate and let cool to the touch.
Cut off the corn kernels and place in a large mixing bowl. NOTE : Be careful while cutting the kernels, use a wooden surface or place a kitchen towel to hold the corn upright.
Mix in with other ingredients: In the same bowl add 3-4 diced jalapeño peppers, most of ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, most of 2/3 cup crumbled Cotija (or Queso Fresco cheese). Mix well.
Prepare dressing : In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice, 3 tablespoons neutral oil, 2 teaspoons agave syrup (or honey), ½ teaspoon kosher (or sea salt), ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Whisk briskly about 1 minute.
Combine corn kernel mix and dressing: Pour the vinaigrette over the corn mixture and toss until all ingredients are coated.
Directly before serving, add the ¾ cup dry-roasted peanuts and gently mix to combine.
Garnish with the reserved cheese and mint leaves. Enjoy this fresh flavorful corn salad with tortilla chips, grilled meat, or as-is!
How to Make without A Grill
To make this salad without a grill, first remove the kernels from the cob. Add some oil to them and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Now either use a skillet or pop them in oven for 10-15 minutes at 350°F until until charred/tender. Follow the rest of the recipe the same.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Leftover grilled corn salad stays well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Make ahead : The salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Add all ingredients except the nuts. Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Right before serving, add the nuts and mix to combine. Garnish with mint leaves and Cotija cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this alongside your favorite grilled meats like my Crockpot Ribs and Grilled Burgers . For seafood lovers I suggest pairing it with Pesto Salmon or Garlic Butter Shrimp You can also make a batch of my homemade tortilla chips to dip in it!
More corn recipes to try!
Bacon Corn Chowder Recipe
Street Corn Salsa
Corn Pudding
Mexican Corn on the Cob (Mexican Grilled Corn)
Confetti Corn Salad
Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob)
Avocado Corn Salsa
Crockpot Corn Dip
Grilled Corn Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 ears corn shucked & silks removed
- 3-4 jalapeno peppers seeds removed, diced
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves rough-chopped (1 tablespoon reserved)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves rough-chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco cheese 1 tablespoon reserved
- 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil such as canola or a blend
- 2 teaspoons agave syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup dry-roasted peanuts toasted chopped hazelnuts or pistachios
- Garnish with the reserved mint leaves and Cotija cheese
Instructions
- Grill the corn until lightly charred on all sides. Transfer them to a plate and let them cool to the touch. 5 ears corn
- Cut off the corn kernels and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add diced jalapeno, most of the mint, cilantro, Parmesan and most of the Cotija cheese to the corn. Mix well. 3-4 jalapeno peppers, ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2/3 cup crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco cheese
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice, oil, agave syrup, salt, and black pepper. Whisk briskly about 1 minute. 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice, 3 tablespoons neutral oil, 2 teaspoons agave syrup or honey, ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pour the vinaigrette over the corn mixture and toss until all ingredients are coated.
- Just before serving, add the peanuts and gently mix to combine. ¾ cup dry-roasted peanuts
- Garnish with the reserved cheese and mint leaves. Enjoy! Garnish with the reserved mint leaves and Cotija cheese
Video
Notes
- Feel free to add more veggies like cucumber, shallot, carrots, tomato, or avocado.
- Swap out cilantro for dill leaves or parsley if desired.
- Chickpeas, black beans, red beans, tofu, and paneer are some proteins that can be added.
- Grilled corn tastes better when fresh, though you can make this salad with frozen corn as well. Thaw before grilling.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
