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Summery Charred Corn Salad Recipe

4.9 from 85 reviews

This Summery Charred Corn Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for warm weather. Featuring smoky grilled corn kernels combined with fresh cherry tomatoes, mini peppers, avocado, and aromatic herbs, this salad is tossed in a zesty dressing of lime juice, olive oil, and a touch of hot honey. Topped with crumbled feta cheese, it offers a beautiful balance of smoky, sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors, making it an ideal side for barbecues or a light, refreshing meal on its own.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 4 ears corn, grilled, kernels removed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 4 mini peppers, thinly sliced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, cubed
  • ½ cup basil, chiffonade
  • ½ cup green onions, chopped
  • 2 oz feta, cubed

Dressing & Seasonings

  • 1 lime, juice of
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon hot honey (or regular honey)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Char the corn: Grill the ears of corn for 1-2 minutes on each side until charred, about 4-6 minutes total. You can use an outdoor grill or a gas stovetop flame for this step. Once grilled, use a sharp knife to carefully cut the charred kernels off the cob.
  2. Spritz the avocado: To prevent the avocado cubes from browning, squeeze fresh lime juice over them and season lightly with a pinch of salt.
  3. Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the charred corn kernels, quartered cherry tomatoes, sliced mini peppers, red onion, lime-seasoned avocado, chiffonade basil, chopped green onions, and cubed feta cheese.
  4. Add the dressing and seasonings: Pour in the juice of the whole lime, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of hot honey. Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper over the salad.
  5. Toss and serve: Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined. Serve the salad at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • You can substitute hot honey with regular honey if you prefer a milder sweetness.
  • Grilling the corn over an open flame adds a smoky depth, but you can also roast or char it in a cast-iron skillet for similar results.
  • For a vegan version, omit the feta or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
  • This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
  • Adjust the seasoning and honey to taste depending on your preference for spice and sweetness.

Keywords: charred corn salad, summer salad, grilled corn, avocado salad, feta salad, fresh vegetable salad, smoky salad, easy summer recipes