Quinoa Corn Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Fresh, colorful, and full of texture, this quinoa corn salad is what summer tastes like. Sweet, juicy corn kernels add a satisfying pop to fluffy quinoa, while lemon, olive oil, and a handful of fresh herbs keep every bite light and lively. Whether you call it a quinoa corn salad or a corn and quinoa salad, it's quick to throw together, pairs perfectly with anything off the grill, and the leftovers are just as good the next day (if there are any).

Tossed with a bright lemon vinaigrette, this quinoa corn salad is crisp, refreshing, and easy to customize. Add crumbled feta for richness, swap herbs to suit your meal, or top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or sliced steak for a more substantial main. It's a flexible favorite for everything from picnics to meal prep. It's a simple, summery favorite I can't stop eating.

Why You'll Love Quinoa Corn Salad

• Light & refreshing - Perfect for warm-weather meals and summer gatherings.
• Versatile - Serve as a side dish or make it a main dish with added protein.
• Make-ahead friendly - Holds up well in the fridge for meal prep or leftovers.
• Flexible ingredients - Use freshly cooked corn and quinoa, or take the shortcut with frozen.

Here's another terrific quinoa salad with lentils that's a great summer dish, make ahead too.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Quinoa - Use cooked and cooled quinoa, either white or a tri-color blend, and frozen thawed works too.
• Corn - Fresh grilled corn is best for that smoky-sweet flavor, but frozen grilled corn (or plain frozen corn) works too-just thaw it first.
• Pine Nuts - Their buttery crunch pairs perfectly.
• Fresh Herbs - I like a mix of chopped mint, chives, and parsley for brightness and balance, but feel free to adapt based on what's in your garden.
• Shallot - Adds a mild, savory bite and extra flavor, or use a little red onion.
• Olive Oil - A good-quality extra virgin olive oil is ideal. If you have a citrus- or herb-infused oil, even better-it adds an extra layer of flavor.
• Lemon Juice - Always use fresh lemon juice here. It gives the vinaigrette that clean, zesty acidity without the bitterness or preservatives found in bottled juice.
• Garlic - A small fresh clove finely zested adds a punch of flavor.
• Mustard (optional) - A little Dijon helps the vinaigrette emulsify and gives flavor.

Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, and pepper.

Here's a reader favorite summer green bean salad with corn and tomatoes you'll love.

Chef's tip: Frozen corn is blanched before packaging, so it's fully cooked. All you need to do is thaw it completely - either overnight in the refrigerator or by placing it in a colander and running cool water over it. Drain well before adding to the salad. No extra cooking required.

Substitutions and Variations

• Nuts - Swap in toasted sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or sunflower seeds if preferred.
• Cheese - Crumbled feta adds a creamy, salty bite that pairs beautifully with the sweet corn. Skip the cheese to keep it dairy-free.
• Protein - Make it a satisfying main dish by adding chopped grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or sliced steak. Edamame is terrific too for plant-based protein!
• Herbs - Use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand. Basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro, or dill are all good options.
• Grains - No quinoa? Try cooked farro, brown rice, couscous, or millet. Just make sure the grain is fully cooled (and fluffy) before tossing with the other ingredients (and GF if needed).

Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, and pepper.

Chef's Tip for Fresh Corn: If you're using fresh summer corn, cook it just until tender-crisp - about 3 minutes in boiling salted water or 8-10 minutes on the grill - then cool it quickly. This keeps the kernels sweet, juicy, and brightly colored. Overcooking can make corn tough and dull in flavor.

How to Make Quinoa Corn Salad

Shortcut: Cook and cool the quinoa, and cook and slice the corn ahead of time to make assembly fast. You can also use pre-cooked quinoa and frozen (thawed) corn kernels for an even quicker prep.

How to Serve Corn and Quinoa Salad

Serve slightly warm, room temperature, or chilled. All are delicious, and each works for different occasions.

• Pair with grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp for a balanced summer dinner.
• Bring to picnics, potlucks, or barbecues, it transports and holds well.
• Add to a bed of mixed greens for extra crunch and volume.
• Top with sliced avocado or crumbled feta for a richer twist.

Storage

Store quinoa corn salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If it's been chilled, give it a quick stir before serving to refresh the flavors.

For another terrific salad with corn, try this avocado, corn, and black bean salad.

Recipe FAQs

More Recipes With Quinoa

If you're craving more fresh, colorful ideas, these quinoa recipes are a great place to start. From hearty mains to light salads like this quinoa and corn salad, you'll find plenty of ways to use quinoa.

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