This grilled corn and crab pasta salad captures summer in a bowl — bright, crisp and perfect for warm weather. Serve it at a BBQ, bring it to a party, or enjoy it for lunch or dinner. Truly delicious.
I’m calling this the year of pasta salad.
Today’s recipe is a sunny, summery lump crab and grilled corn pasta salad that’s full of texture, fresh herbs and bright flavor. It’s versatile — a great side for a backyard cookout, an easy potluck contribution or a light, satisfying dinner.
Why I love summer food
There’s something about a chilled, tangy pasta salad that just screams summer. This version balances sweet grilled corn, delicate lump crab, crunchy red pepper and fresh herbs with a lemon-forward vinaigrette. It’s simple, bright and satisfying.
If you enjoy pasta salads, this one joins other favorites like asparagus pasta salad or grilled chicken caprese pasta salad — all great served as sides, party dishes or main courses when you want something easy and delicious.
One of the best things about pasta salad is how well it keeps: make it ahead, refrigerate and let the flavors mingle. Often it tastes even better the next day because the dressing soaks into the ingredients.
This salad is refreshingly light while still offering satisfying texture. I love enjoying it with an icy glass of white wine on a warm evening.
I recommend using the best lump crab you can find. It’s buttery, flavorful, flakes beautifully and distributes throughout the salad so every bite gets a taste of crab. If crab isn’t your thing, you can substitute shrimp or, for a splurge, lobster.
Key components of this pasta salad:
- Grilled corn — charred kernels add smoky, sweet flavor.
- Crisp red pepper strips for crunch and color.
- Scallions and a trio of fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro and chives) to brighten the dish.
- A lemony vinaigrette with white wine vinegar, honey, garlic and olive oil to tie everything together.
The dressing is zesty with lemon and a touch of honey for balance, plus chopped chives and garlic for savory depth. A pinch of crushed red pepper adds a faint, satisfying heat. Drizzle it generously — it complements the crab beautifully.
Serve this chilled or at room temperature. It holds up well for picnics, potlucks and make-ahead meals — leftovers keep nicely in the refrigerator for a few days.
Grilled Corn and Crab Pasta Salad
Grilled Corn and Crab Pasta Salad
8
people
45 mins
Ingredients
- 3 ears corn on the cob, shucked
- 1 pound pasta, cooked
- 1 pound lump crab meat
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced or chopped
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside; you can do this ahead.
- Preheat your grill to high. You can grill the corn without oil for a nice char, or brush with a little olive oil if you prefer.
- Place corn on the grill and cook until charred and golden, rotating every few minutes, about 10–15 minutes depending on size. Remove and slice the kernels from the cobs.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, lump crab meat, grilled corn kernels, red pepper, green onions and chopped herbs. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Make ahead: this salad holds up well overnight and leftovers keep in the fridge for several days.
Vinaigrette
- Whisk together lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey, minced garlic and chives with a pinch of salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Store any extra vinaigrette in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
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Those little springs!