Flavorful Grilled Summer Corn Salad with Easy Cotija Lime Butter
A smoky, tangy, and creamy grilled corn salad featuring zesty lime butter and crumbly Cotija cheese, perfect for summer gatherings and BBQ sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh sweet summer corn, husked
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Zest and juice of 1 large lime
- ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
- Optional: diced red onion
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Husk corn and brush lightly with melted butter or oil.
- Grill corn, turning every 2-3 minutes, until charred and tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, lime zest, lime juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; mix until smooth.
- Let grilled corn cool for 5 minutes, then cut kernels off the cob into a large mixing bowl.
- Add lime butter to warm corn and toss to coat evenly.
- Fold in crumbled Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro; adjust seasoning with salt or lime juice as needed.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use a stovetop grill pan if no outdoor grill is available. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine and Cotija with seasoned tofu or vegan cheese. Let salad rest at room temperature if lime butter firms up after chilling. Avoid freezing to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: grilled corn salad, summer salad, cotija cheese, lime butter, BBQ side dish, smoky corn salad, easy summer recipe