Grilled Corn Orzo with Scallion Dill Dressing (Printable)

Smoky grilled corn and tender orzo tossed with crisp vegetables in a zesty scallion dill dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Salad

01 - 1 cup dry orzo pasta
02 - 3 ears fresh corn, husked
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small English cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ For the Scallion Dill Dressing

08 - 3 scallions, roughly chopped
09 - 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 clove garlic
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Brush the corn lightly with olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then cut the kernels from the cobs.
03 - Cook orzo in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
04 - In a blender or food processor, combine all dressing ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy; adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, grilled corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and chopped dill. Toss gently.
06 - Pour the scallion dill dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
07 - Top with crumbled feta if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dressing hits bright and herby, cutting through the smoky sweetness of grilled corn like a perfect summer evening.
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours, making it ideal for make-ahead meals or potlucks.
  • The texture play between tender orzo, crisp vegetables, and creamy dressing keeps every single bite interesting.
02 -
  • The salad needs at least thirty minutes in the refrigerator after dressing to let the flavors marry properly.
  • Rinsing the orzo thoroughly with cold water is non-negotiable, or you will end up with gummy, clumped pasta.
03 -
  • Grill extra corn and freeze the kernels for future batches of this salad.
  • Double the dressing and keep it in the fridge for quick weeknight salads all week long.

Go Back