Grilled Zucchini Corn Salad (Ultimate Summer Salad)

Described as the “best summer salad ever” by a reader, this grilled zucchini corn salad is always a winner with any crowd! Highlighting in-season produce, this recipe uses grilled zucchini and corn, crumbled feta cheese, and a light, bright lemon-olive oil dressing. Simple and quick to make, it’s a great grilled vegetable side salad for BBQs and cookouts, or it can be eaten on its own as a main meal.

You know how every family has that recipe? This is ours. For us, summer hasn’t truly started until you’ve made zucchini corn salad. So, I figured it was about time I shared it with you guys!

This salad uses only 8 ingredients and they are all readily available in the summer months. The base consists of fresh vegetables, and the best part is the dressing. A splash of lemon juice gives this salad a refreshing tanginess, and feta adds a cheesy touch while keeping it vegetarian.

Sneak some veggies into your day with this tasty grilled bowl of crispy goodness. It only takes about 15 minutes to create and is one of our favorite zucchini recipes for serving to guests at summer cookouts!

Here’s what you’ll need

This summer corn salad uses only a handful of ingredients to turn these humble veggies into a dish worth craving. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Olive Oil: We’ll use a good-quality olive oil base for our dressing, which we’ll brush onto the veggies prior to grilling and then toss in for the final salad!
• Garlic: Fresh garlic. Do you even need a reason for it?
• Seasonings: A bit of salt and a touch of pepper will go a long way. For a slight kick, add ¼ tsp of red pepper flakes!
• Corn: Corn adds great flavor and substance! Two ears will be the perfect amount, though you could up it to 3 or 4 ears if you’re serving more people. This recipe is pretty flexible!
• Zucchini: To make this salad, we will use three medium zucchini. This summer squash is low-calorie and packed with nutrients!
• Lemon Juice: For a tangy zing, add lemon juice, freshly squeezed or from a jar is fine.
• Feta Cheese: Finally, add feta for a delicious finishing touch.

How to Make Corn Salad with Zucchini

This delicious summer corn salad recipe is ready in just minutes (less than 15, to be exact!) and is perfect for whipping together on a busy weeknight. It’s seriously one of my favorite zucchini recipes! This is an overview of the recipe. Jump to the recipe card for the full printable instructions.

Step 1: Make the Dressing
Combine the oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. After the mixture is combined, brush a quarter of it onto the corn and the cut zucchini. Keep the remainder aside.

Step 2: Grill the Veggies
Grill the veggies over medium/high heat, flipping occasionally to cook evenly and charring some (but not all) for flavor. The zucchinis are done when they’re soft touch, about 10 minutes total.

Step 3: Cut the Veggies
Cut the corn from the stalk. It will be hot, so you may need to grasp it with a paper towel. Cut the zucchini into ½-inch wide pieces.

Step 4: Assemble
Whisk the lemon juice into the remaining oil mixture. Add as much as you’d like to stir the mixture into the grilled veggies and feta cheese. Serve the salad warm or cold.

Salad Add-ons

Feeling a little extra and want to add to your salad? Here are a bunch of yummy ingredients that you can use to mix things up and make this salad customized to your liking. 

• Veggies: You can add a wide variety of veggies like squash, tomato, red onion, parsley, peppers, etc. The options are endless!
• Pasta: For extra oomph, you can add your favorite pasta! This will add extra carbs to keep you feeling nice and full. Use rigatoni, penne, or whichever pasta you prefer.
• Nuts: Nuts add a yummy crunch that tastes so delicious! You can use crushed or chopped almonds, pistachios, or pecans.

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