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An overhead shot of charred sweet corn Caesar salad in a large shallow white bowl with a wooden serving spoon alongside a striped cloth on a light blue surface. The bowl is also surrounded by halved and juiced lemons and a bowl of parmesan cheese.

Summer Caesar Salad with Charred Sweet Corn (20 Minutes)

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  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: serves 2-4 1x
  • Category: Entree Salads & Bowls, Side Dish Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A summer-inspired Sweet Corn Caesar Salad! Replace classic Caesar’s toasty croutons with juicy-sweet charred corn kernels for smoky, sweet, and summery pops of texture in every bite. Just toss the sweet corn “croutons” with chopped romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan, and creamy Caesar dressing for the ultimate summer salad, ready in 20 minutes or less!

Naturally Meatless and Gluten-Free. Easily Vegetarian and Vegan.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ears sweet corn, husked and silks removed
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped (approx. 4 cups)
  • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced⁠
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • ⅓ cup shaved parmesan⁠ cheese
  • ⅓ cup creamy Caesar dressing, store-bought or homemade
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

Instructions

  1. Char the sweet corn: Place the sweet corn directly over a gas burner on the stovetop. Light to a medium-high flame and cook about 2 minutes per side or until as charred as desired. Transfer to a cutting board and carefully slice kernels away from the cob. Set aside. Alternately, if you do not have a gas stove, you can also char the corn on an outdoor grill, in a grill pan, or under the broiler.An overhead shot of grilled sweet corn on the cob and cut off the cob on a wooden board and in a stoneware bowl atop a light blue surface.
  2. Toss the Caesar salad: To a large mixing bowl, add the lettuce and shallot. Squeeze the lemon juice over top, season with a good pinch of kosher salt, then lightly toss to combine. Add the charred sweet corn kernels, shaved cheese, and Caesar dressing. Toss to combine well. Taste and season with additional salt and ground black pepper as needed.An overhead shot of romaine lettuce topped with charred sweet corn, sliced shallots and parmesan cheese in a large glass bowl atop a light blue surface. The bowl is surrounded by a bowl of sweet corn, a striped cloth, and a jar of dressing. An overhead shot of sweet corn Caesar salad in a large glass bowl atop a light blue surface. The bowl is surrounded by a bowl of sweet corn, a striped cloth, and a jar of dressing.
  3. Serve: Portion the sweet corn Caesar salad into individual bowls. Finish with extra grated parmesan or ground black pepper as desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy!An overhead shot of charred sweet corn Caesar salad in a large shallow white bowl with a wooden serving spoon alongside a striped cloth on a light blue surface. The bowl is also surrounded by halved and juiced lemons and a bowl of parmesan cheese.


Notes

  • Dietary Restrictions: This charred corn Caesar salad is naturally gluten-free. For a vegetarian version, be sure to use your favorite vegetarian-friendly Caesar dressing and rennet-free parmesan. To take it a step further and make it vegan, use dairy-free Caesar dressing and parmesan (or omit added cheese altogether).

Portions and Serving Suggestions:

  • Portions: As written, this recipe yields a large salad, suitable for feeding 2-3 as a main dish (perhaps with another add-in) or 4-6 as a side dish for a full spread. To feed a larger crowd at a summer dinner party or backyard cookout, feel free to double or triple as needed.
  • Serving Suggestions: Feel free to add a protein to make a heartier dinner salad. We love serving this Caesar with my Quick and Easy Grilled Lemon Chicken. Simple shredded chicken breast or sliced chicken sausage works great too. For a next-level add-in, cube up some Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken or Turkey Zucchini Meatballs – delicious!

Storage and Make-Ahead:

  • Storage: While this sweet corn Caesar is best enjoyed fresh, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
  • Make-Ahead Instructions: If you’d like to prepare this sweet corn Caesar salad ahead of time, for meal prep or party prep, I suggest prepping the components in advance. Char the sweet corn according to Step 1 of Recipe Directions, then layer everything into a large salad bowl. Add the dressing and toss the salad immediately before serving.