Preheat your grill or grill pan: Heat to medium-high. Brush the grates lightly with oil so the corn doesn’t stick.
Grill the corn: Place the ears on the grill. Cook 8–10 minutes, turning every couple of minutes, until charred in spots and tender.
If using thawed frozen corn, sauté in a hot, dry skillet for 5–7 minutes to get some color.
Cool and cut: Let the corn cool for a few minutes. Stand each ear upright and slice the kernels off with a sharp knife.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, cumin, smoked paprika, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust—add more lime for brightness or a touch more honey if it’s too sharp.
Prep the veggies: Dice the avocados, halve the tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, and dice the bell pepper.
If using jalapeño, mince it finely.
Combine the base: In a large bowl, add the grilled corn, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and cooked quinoa or rice if using.
Toss with dressing: Pour most of the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
Add avocado and herbs: Fold in the diced avocado and chopped cilantro very gently to avoid mashing. Drizzle with the remaining dressing if it looks dry.
Finish and serve: Top with crumbled Cotija or feta if you like, and serve with lime wedges.
Enjoy warm or at room temperature.