Grilled Corn Salad with Feta Zesty Herb Dressing
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy something fresh alongside your BBQ? This grilled corn salad is a winner. Honestly, this corn salad is one of the best bbq side dishes .
It’s got that sweet corn flavour, zingy herb dressing , and salty feta cheese combo that just screams summertime.
Brief Overview
This salad hails from simple summer grilling traditions. It’s a super easy bbq recipes , taking about 35 minutes to make.
This recipe yields about 6-8 servings, perfect for your next summer shindig.
Main Benefits
Corn is packed with fibre. This summer salad is also ideal for easy summer entertaining . This recipe is special because it balances smoky, sweet, and fresh flavours brilliantly.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
First, you'll need six ears of fresh corn. Don’t skimp on the fresh parsley and mint. These really bring the herb dressing to life.
You know, fresh is always best when it comes to those sorts of things. It makes such a big difference.
This salad features 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, 1 cucumber, and half a red onion. The crumbled feta, about 4 ounces, is what seals the deal.
I usually go for a good quality block and crumble it myself!
Oh my gosh, the dressing! It's the secret sauce. We're talking olive oil, lemon juice, and a splash of red wine vinegar.
Don’t forget the Dijon mustard and a clove of minced garlic. Salt and pepper, naturally. If you don't have red wine vinegar on hand, white wine vinegar can act as a red wine vinegar substitute .
The best part? It's totally customizable. For a vegan salad option , swap the feta with nutritional yeast . If you can't find feta cheese in your area, try goat cheese substitute or halloumi substitute .
This recipe can also easily be made as gluten-free bbq sides .
Honestly, this grilled corn salad is a breeze to whip up. It's much more than just a salad, it elevates any coleslaw pairing or potato salad pairing you might have planned! This bbq side dishes pairs perfectly with a crisp sauvignon blanc pairing or a chilled lager pairing .
Right, let's get into the nitty gritty, yeah? We're making a Grilled Corn Salad with Feta Cheese and a zesty Herb Dressing , perfect as one of your bbq side dishes .
Honestly, it's easier than fitting a square peg in a round hole! This recipe is all about fresh flavours and minimal fuss.
Ingredients & Kit: Let's Get Started!
Time to gather your bits and bobs. We're keeping it simple, promise!
Main Ingredients
You'll need:
- 6 ears of fresh corn, shucked. Look for plump kernels and bright green husks.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml). Extra virgin is best, but any good quality oil will do.
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (500ml-ish). Get the ripest you can find, they burst with flavour!
- 1 cucumber, diced.
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced. If you don't like the strong taste, soak in cold water for 10 minutes first.
- 4 ounces feta cheese , crumbled (about 115g). Go for a block, it crumbles better than the pre-crumbled stuff.
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 ml). Freshly squeezed is key, avoid the bottled stuff, mate.
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (15 ml).
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint.
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
- 1 clove garlic, minced.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Seasoning Notes
Okay, so the herb dressing is where the magic happens. The mint and parsley combo is a classic, but feel free to experiment.
A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a spicy kick . No red wine vinegar? A splash of white wine vinegar as a red wine vinegar substitute will do the trick.
I've even used pickle juice in a pinch!
K_annotated = A good quality feta cheese is crucial for the creamy, salty tang. For a vegan salad option , ditch the feta and sprinkle with nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavour.
This makes it one of your vegetarian bbq sides , too!
Equipment Needed
You won't need loads of fancy gear.
- Grill (gas or charcoal, your choice!).
- Large bowl.
- Small bowl or jar for the dressing.
- Tongs.
- Knife and cutting board.
Seriously, that's it! If you don't have a grill, a grill pan on your hob works just as well for grilling corn .
Remember that easy bbq recipes don't need lots of kit.
Right, now we've got everything sorted. Let's get grilling! Next up is the grilling, which will make it a summer salad to die for and the perfect bbq side dishes.
Get Your Grill On: The Best BBQ Side Dishes
Fancy a bit of sunshine and some proper grub? Grilling season is here, and that means it's time to up your BBQ game.
Everyone loves a good burger or sausage, but what about the bbq side dishes ? Let's ditch the same old boring sides.
I'm talking about a Grilled Corn Salad that’ll knock your socks off. This isn’t just any salad, it's got grilled corn , creamy feta cheese , and a zingy herb dressing .
Sounds good, yeah?
Prep Like a Pro: Essential Mise en Place
Before firing up the barbie, let's get organised. First, shuck those 6 ears of corn. Honestly, the fresher the corn, the sweeter it will be.
Halve a pint of cherry tomatoes and dice one cucumber. Thinly slice half a red onion go easy if you don't like it too strong.
Have 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese ready to go. For the dressing, chop about 2 tablespoons each of fresh parsley and mint.
Got it all? Good.
step-by-step to Grilled Corn Perfection
- Brush the corn with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Grill the corn over medium heat. Turn it often until it’s slightly charred. This takes about 12- 15 minutes .
- Let the corn cool slightly. Cut the kernels off the cob. Be careful, they might be hot.
- Combine the kernels, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion in a big bowl.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together. Use ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar substitute with the herbs and garlic, with Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
- Dress the salad and toss it gently. Don't drown it, now.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the top.
- Serve immediately, or chill it for a bit.
Pro Tips for Easy BBQ Recipes
Want to take your grilled corn salad to the next level? Don’t be shy with the grill marks. A bit of char adds smoky flavour.
Fresh herbs are key for a banging herb dressing . If you can make-ahead salads do it, but add the feta just before serving to stop it getting soggy.
This salad goes great with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairing or a lager pairing . For the vegan salad option , ditch the feta and sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top.
It’s also naturally gluten-free bbq sides friendly, so everyone can enjoy! This summer salad is a must have for your next easy summer entertaining event.
It’s one of those quick grill recipes that’ll make you look like a culinary genius with minimal effort.
Right then, let's chat about some recipe notes for this Grilled Corn Salad with Feta & Zesty Herb Dressing . Honestly, this isn't just another salad.
It's going to become one of your easy bbq recipes ! I reckon you’ll be making it all summer long.
Ace Serving Ideas
Fancy a bit of plating finesse? Pile this summer salad high in a rustic bowl. A sprinkle of extra feta makes it look even better.
It's proper instagrammable! As for what to serve it with, this salad is brilliant with coleslaw pairing or even a simple potato salad pairing .
To drink? You can't go wrong with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairing if you’re feeling fancy, or a good old lager pairing will do the trick too.
Storage Like a Pro
Need to make-ahead salads ? You can prep the salad a few hours before your barbie. Just keep the dressing separate, yeah? Toss it all together just before serving to keep things fresh and lively.
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for a couple of days. Honestly, though, it's so tasty, you probably won’t have any! Freezing isn't recommended.
It will lose texture. No one wants a soggy salad!
Variations to Suit Your Mates
Got veggies coming? This makes fantastic vegetarian bbq sides ! Need a vegan salad option ? Swap out the feta for some nutritional yeast or a plant based alternative.
gluten-free? You are covered! Got no red wine vinegar substitute ? Apple cider vinegar works a treat! Can't find feta? Goat cheese substitute or even halloumi substitute will do.
This recipe is well good and super flexible.
Nutrition Nitty Gritty
Okay, let's keep this simple. This salad is packed with vitamins and goodness. The corn gives you fiber, the veggies give you vitamins, and the feta gives you calcium.
It's a healthy, refreshing addition to any BBQ spread. Plus, it's lower in calories than your average burger and chips.
Win-win! This is the perfect balance to easy bbq recipes !
Honestly, give this grilled corn salad a go. This salad is not just one of the bbq side dishes . It will steal the show.
This mediterranean salad is an excellent fit to your next event. You’ll be so chuffed with yourself! It's easy to make, tastes amazing, and is proper good for you.
Enjoy your barbie!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Grilled Corn Salad with Feta & Herbs ahead of time for my BBQ?
Absolutely! You can prep most of this salad in advance. Just hold off on adding the feta and dressing until right before serving to prevent the feta from getting soggy and the salad from becoming too wilted. Think of it like a packed lunch, keep the wet separate from the dry!
What are some good variations I can try to spice up this BBQ side dishes recipe?
Fancy a bit of a twist? A pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing will add a lovely bit of heat. You could also try adding Kalamata olives and some roasted red peppers for a more Mediterranean vibe. If you're feeling adventurous, grilled halloumi instead of feta works a treat!
I'm catering for a vegan at my BBQ. How can I adapt this recipe?
No worries, mate! Simply swap out the feta for a plant based alternative there are some great vegan feta options available these days. Alternatively, you can just leave the feta out altogether. A sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add a savoury, almost cheesy, flavour if you want to replace that umami kick.
How do I store leftover Grilled Corn Salad?
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It's best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Just be aware that the corn might lose a bit of its crispness and the feta might soften slightly. Still tastes ace, though!
My corn isn't grilling evenly. What am I doing wrong?
Uneven grilling can happen. Make sure your grill is heated evenly. Also, turn the corn regularly every 2-3 minutes to ensure all sides get a good char. Soaking the ears of corn, in their husks, for at least 30 minutes before grilling helps prevent them from drying out, giving them more time to char evenly.
What's the best way to get the corn kernels off the cob?
The easiest way is to stand the corn on its end (you might want to cut the bottom flat for stability) and use a sharp knife to slice downwards, removing the kernels in strips. You can also use a bundt pan the hole in the middle keeps the corn steady, and the kernels collect neatly in the pan! Bob's your uncle!
Grilled Corn Salad With Feta Zesty Herb Dressing
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 250 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18g |
| Fiber | 3g |
