Summer Street Corn Salad is loaded with crisp lettuce, sweet corn, creamy avocado, salty bacon, Cotija cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips, all tossed in a creamy cilantro lime dressing that’s perfect for BBQs, cookouts, and weeknight dinners.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Summer Street Corn Salad takes everything you love about Mexican street corn and turns it into a hearty, colorful salad that’s packed with fresh vegetables, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and plenty of texture in every bite. If you’re looking for the perfect summer salad that actually gets people excited, this is it.

It’s the kind of salad that’s impressive enough to bring to a barbecue but easy enough to throw together for a weeknight dinner. The homemade cilantro lime dressing ties everything together with the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled burgers, chicken, steak, or tacos, this salad is guaranteed to disappear fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Summer Gatherings – It’s colorful, fresh, and always a crowd favorite at cookouts, potlucks, and picnics.
Loaded with Flavor – Sweet corn, smoky bacon, creamy avocado, salty Cotija cheese, and the zesty dressing create the perfect bite every time.
Easy to Make Ahead – Prep everything in advance and simply toss it together before serving.
Restaurant Quality at Home – It tastes like something you’d order at your favorite Mexican restaurant but is incredibly simple to make yourself.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious salad. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.

Romaine Lettuce – Adds crisp texture and makes the salad hearty.
Grilled Corn – Sweet grilled corn gives the salad its signature summer flavor.
Cherry Tomatoes – Add juicy bursts of sweetness.
Avocados – Creamy, buttery, and the perfect contrast to the crunchy ingredients.
Red Onion – Adds just enough bite without overpowering the salad.
Cooked Bacon – Salty, smoky, and crispy.
Cotija Cheese – A crumbly Mexican cheese that adds salty richness.
Tortilla Strips – Adds the perfect crunch right before serving.

For The Cilantro Lime Dressing:

Mayonnaise – Creates a rich, creamy base.
Sour Cream – Adds tanginess and balances the mayo.
Fresh Lime Juice – Bright, fresh citrus flavor.
Honey – Just enough sweetness to balance the acidity.
Taco Seasoning – Adds bold Mexican-inspired flavor.
Fresh Garlic – Gives the dressing extra depth.
Fresh Cilantro – Brings fresh herb flavor throughout.
Salt & Pepper – Season to taste.

How To Make It

In a large serving bowl, combine the romaine, grilled corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, bacon, ¼ cup of tortilla strips, Cotija cheese, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, taco seasoning, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour the dressing over the salad

street corn salad ingredients in a bowl with the dressing poured over

Toss until everything is evenly coated. Top with crunchy tortilla strips just before serving so they stay crisp. Garnish with extra Cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges if desired.

Pro Tips

Use grilled corn until it develops a light char for the best flavor.
Wait to add the avocado and tortilla strips until just before serving.
Chill the dressing for at least 30 minutes so the flavors have time to come together.
Toss the salad right before serving to keep everything crisp.

Variations

Add grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp for a complete meal.
Swap Cotija for feta if that’s what you have on hand.
Stir in black beans for extra protein and fiber.
Add diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Use crushed tortilla chips instead of tortilla strips for even more crunch.

Can I Use Frozen Or Canned Corn?

Absolutely. Fresh grilled corn has the best flavor, but thawed frozen corn or well drained canned corn works well too. For extra flavor, sauté frozen corn in a hot skillet until lightly charred.

What to Serve With It

This salad pairs perfectly with burgers, chicken, steak, tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, or barbecue ribs. It’s also a great addition to potlucks, picnics, and summer cookouts because it complements just about any grilled main course.

Storage

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best texture, keep the dressing, avocado, and tortilla strips separate until you’re ready to serve. Once dressed, the lettuce will begin to soften, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.

Other Summer Salad Recipes

There's nothing better than a nice salad in those warm summer months. I've rounded up all my Best Summer Salad Recipes so you can find them all in one place.

ALL MY BEST SUMMER SALAD RECIPES