It’s sweet corn season! I remember during the summers when I was little we would lay out a big picnic blanket and and eat ears and ears of grilled sweet corn all buttered up and salted to perfection. There’s truly nothing better (or nostalgic) than sweet corn during the summer and I’m here to bring you a new recipe that elevates the average ear of corn into something truly fabulous.

This beautiful grilled corn salad is filled with creamy avocado, crunchy veggies, a little tang from goat cheese (or sub feta!), and a perfectly sweet and spicy hot honey vinaigrette to pull it all together. I thought about going with a simple cilantro lime dressing or a more basic vinaigrette, but one taste of this hot honey version and I was HOOKED (and you will be, too).

The best part about this lovely salad is that it doubles as an easy side dish or appetizer for your BBQs and potlucks! I enjoyed it straight from the bowl but it would be perfect as an easy, flavorful dip with chips. Add your fav protein to make it a nice hearty meal, and remember to check out the full post for more ways to customize.

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Everything you’ll need to make this grilled corn salad

This sweet and spicy grilled corn salad is bursting with fresh summer produce and flavors. Many corn salads have a mayo-based dressing, but we’re keeping this salad nice and light! Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Produce: the base of this gorgeous salad is made from grilled corn (of course), cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and fresh basil.
• Goat cheese: I love the creamy, tangy flavor that goat cheese adds when mixed in with all of the veggies.
• Hot honey dressing: we’re making a homemade hot honey vinaigrette with avocado oil, honey, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt & pepper.

Grill perfect corn every time

You’re going to LOVE the sweet, slightly charred flavor that grilled corn adds to this salad. Get all of my tips and tricks for grilling corn here!

Simple ingredient swaps

This delicious grilled corn salad recipe is easy to customize to your taste preferences and what you might already have on hand. Here’s what I can recommend:

• For the goat cheese: feel free to use feta cheese instead, or omit the cheese to keep the salad vegan.
• For the red onion: diced green onion works just as well!
• For the basil: if you’re out of basil you can easily swap in some fresh cilantro.
• For the dressing: feel free to use your favorite hot sauce instead of cayenne pepper, and fresh lime juice instead of apple cider vinegar if you’d like.

Looking to add a boost of protein?

This grilled corn salad would be perfect with grilled honey mustard chicken, shrimp or salmon, or you could keep it vegetarian by adding a can of black beans and simply scoop it up with some tortilla chips (YUM!).

Delicious ways to enjoy this grilled corn salad

Abra and I couldn’t stop sneaking bites of this grilled corn salad straight from the bowl, but it’s also incredible a variety of different ways:

• With your fav tortilla chips for dipping
• As a topping for homemade tacos
• Piled on top of a plate of nachos

The options are truly endless!

How to store this grilled corn salad

Store this fresh grilled corn salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you plan on making it ahead of time I’d recommend leaving the avocado and goat cheese off until you’re ready to serve it so that it doesn’t get brown.

More summer salads you’ll love

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I hope you love this grilled corn salad with avocado! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!