This post may contain commission-earning affiliate links.
Fresh Summer Flavors: Charred Corn Romaine Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Crema
This Charred Corn Romaine Salad with Cilantro Lime Crema is packed with bold, fresh flavor, creamy texture, and even a little touch of smokiness! It features perfectly grilled corn, Everything But The Elote seasoning, crunchy romaine lettuce, and a rich, herby yogurt-based crema that brings everything together. This summer salad is quick, fresh, and customizable with your favorite proteins!
Why You’ll Love This Charred Corn Romaine Salad:
- Charred Corn: Smoky charred corn adds depth and flavor
- Crunchy Bite: Crisp romaine for the perfect crunch
- Creamy Lime Crema: Creamy, tangy cilantro lime crema for a fresh finish
- Protein Optional: Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a full meal
- Extra Protein in the Crema: The Cilantro Lime Crema is made using Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, sneaking a little extra protein into this dish!
Salad and Crema Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- Romaine Lettuce (roughly chopped)
- Corn (on the cob)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Everything But The Elote Seasoning
- Cotija Cheese
- Cilantro (chopped, plus more for garnish)
- Grilled Chicken or Shrimp (optional)
For the Cilantro Lime Crema:
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Cilantro (some stems okay!)
- Lime Juice
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make This Charred Corn Salad:
1. Char Your Corn
Drizzle corn cobs with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap each one tightly in foil and place on a preheated grill. Grill each side for about 5 minutes, rotating until all sides are slightly charred. Remove from heat and let cool. Cut kernels off the cob and place them aside into a small bowl.
2. Season Your Corn
Toss your corn kernels with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Everything But The Elote Seasoning to taste.
3. Make the Cilantro Lime Crema
In a blender, combine cilantro, lime juice, honey, cottage cheese, half the Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Whisk in remaining yogurt to thicken and adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, add chopped romaine, seasoned corn, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro. Top with your creamy cilantro lime dressing and toss to coat.
5. Optional Protein
Top with grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein, or keep it light as a vegetarian main or side dish.
Tools:
- Tongs
- Tin Foil
Full Charred Corn Romaine Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Crema Recipe:
Print
Charred Corn Romaine Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Crema
Ingredients
For the Salad:
1 Large Head of Romaine Lettuce (roughly chopped)
4 Ears of Corn
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
1–2 tbsp Everything But The Elote Seasoning
1/2 cup Cotija Cheese
Cilantro (garnish)
Grilled Chicken or Shrimp (optional protein addition)
For the Cilantro Lime Crema:
4 tbsp Plain Greek Yogurt
2 tbsp Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup Cilantro (it’s okay to leave some of the stems on)
1/2 Lime (juiced)
1 tsp Honey
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
For the Salad:
- Char Your Corn: Drizzle corn with olive oil, salt, and pepper and wrap each ear of corn tightly in foil (make sure it’s enclosed). Heat up your grill and put your corn on, grilling it for about 5 minutes before rotating it and continuing that process until it has even char marks around the edges. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before cutting it downward to remove all of the corn from the cob.
- Add Your Elote Seasoning: Add your corn to a small bowl and toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Everything But The Elote Seasoning.
- Assemble Your Salad: Add your chopped romaine lettuce to a bowl and top with roughly chopped cilantro, the charred corn mixture, cotija cheese, and your cilantro lime crema. Toss and garnish with additional cotija cheese, more cilantro, and your optional protein.
For the Cilantro Lime Crema:
- Blend Your Crema: Add your cilantro, lime juice, honey, cottage cheese, 1/2 of your Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper to a small blender and blend until creamy. Whisk in the remaining yogurt (to help thicken the mixture) and season with additional salt, pepper, and honey as needed.
Other Salad Recipes:
For more recipes like this one, follow me on social media at @oxbowfood!
