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Fresh Grilled Corn Salad with Cotija Easy Zesty Lime Recipe

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A fresh and zesty grilled corn salad featuring smoky charred corn, crumbly cotija cheese, and a bright lime dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked and cleaned
  • ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • Juice of 2 medium limes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C), approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Grill the husked corn ears directly on the grill grates, turning every 2-3 minutes until all sides have a nice char, about 10-12 minutes total.
  3. Set the grilled corn aside to cool for about 5 minutes.
  4. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cob by slicing downward. Hold the cob vertically inside a large bowl to catch kernels and juices.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until combined.
  6. In a mixing bowl, toss the grilled corn kernels with diced red onion, minced jalapeño (if using), and chopped cilantro.
  7. Pour the lime dressing over the corn mixture and toss gently to coat.
  8. Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese on top and fold it in carefully to create pockets of cheese.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed.
  10. Serve the salad at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Notes

Do not rush the grilling process to develop a smoky flavor. Cool the corn before cutting kernels to prevent melting the cheese and dressing. For extra heat, add jalapeños or chipotle peppers. For a creamier texture, add sour cream or mayonnaise. Cotija can be substituted with feta cheese or toasted pepitas for dairy-free options.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn salad, cotija cheese, lime dressing, summer salad, easy side dish, backyard cookout, smoky corn, fresh salad

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/fresh-grilled-corn-salad-with-cotija-easy-zesty-lime-recipe/