Ultimate Grilled Corn Avocado Salad: Your Refreshing Summer BBQ Side
Prepare to elevate your summer dining experience with the most vibrant and satisfying side dish you’ll ever taste: our incredible Grilled Corn Avocado Salad. This recipe masterfully combines the smoky sweetness of grilled corn with creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, fresh green onions, fragrant cilantro, and crisp cucumber. All these delightful ingredients are then tossed in a light, zesty dressing that allows their natural flavors to shine. It’s truly the perfect refreshing accompaniment for any BBQ, picnic, or weeknight meal, bringing a burst of sunshine to your plate.
Every truly memorable recipe often has a story behind it, and this Grilled Corn Avocado Salad is no exception. It was introduced into our family’s culinary repertoire during a wonderful 4th of July weekend celebration. My mother-in-law and my two brothers-in-law had come to visit, and we immersed ourselves in all the joys of a holiday weekend: trips to the beach, dazzling fireworks displays lighting up the night sky, a round of golf for the boys, and a relaxing shopping excursion for my mother-in-law and me. It was a fantastic few days filled with laughter and togetherness, culminating in a dish that has since become a household favorite.
My mother-in-law, a true culinary enthusiast with a background in catering, has an endless supply of delicious recipe ideas. She’s always introducing me to something new and exciting whenever she visits, and this time, she brought the gift of this incredible Grilled Corn Avocado Salad. She had sampled it at a church event and, captivated by its freshness and flavor, made sure to get the recipe from the talented cook who prepared it. It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just any salad; it was destined for greatness.
We eagerly put our own little twists on the recipe, making a few minor adjustments to suit our taste, and served it as a vibrant side alongside some perfectly cooked salmon. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Let’s just say, the entire, generously sized bowl of salad was utterly demolished in approximately five minutes flat. It disappeared so rapidly, in fact, that I realized I hadn’t even had the chance to capture its beauty in photographs. This led to the delightful task of making a brand-new, equally huge batch. Yes, lucky me, I got to enjoy that entire second bowl all to myself, savoring every delicious bite! It was a small price to pay for ensuring this amazing recipe could be shared.
Why This Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad is a Must-Try
This salad isn’t just “good”; it’s truly fantastic! One of its standout features is the use of grilled sweet corn. While I adore the flavor of corn on the cob, I confess I’m not a fan of how it inevitably gets stuck in your teeth. This recipe ingeniously takes all that naturally sweet, charred corn off the cob, making it incredibly easy and enjoyable to eat. The grilling process adds a layer of smoky depth and caramelization that you simply can’t achieve with boiled corn, transforming a common vegetable into a star ingredient.
The beauty of this Grilled Corn Avocado Salad lies in its harmonious blend of textures and flavors. You get a delightful crunch from the fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and the perfectly grilled corn kernels. This is beautifully contrasted by the creamy, buttery texture of ripe avocado and the soft, salty crumble of feta cheese. Each bite offers a varied sensation, keeping your palate engaged and eager for more. It’s a symphony of fresh ingredients that dance together in perfect unison.
The dressing is another key element that sets this recipe apart. It’s an incredibly simple yet effective combination of good quality olive oil and red wine vinegar, seasoned lightly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This minimalist approach ensures that the vibrant, fresh flavors of the vegetables are the true stars of the show, rather than being overwhelmed by a heavy or overly complex dressing. It coats each ingredient just enough to bind them together and add a touch of tang, enhancing the natural sweetness of the corn and the richness of the avocado.
This grilled corn and avocado salad is an absolute winner for countless occasions. Its refreshing quality makes it ideal for hot summer days, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, enjoying a casual picnic, or simply looking for a light yet satisfying lunch. It pairs wonderfully with a wide array of main dishes, from grilled steak or chicken to pan-seared fish or even as a vibrant vegetarian meal on its own. Its bright colors and fresh ingredients also make it a visually appealing dish that’s sure to impress your guests.
Beyond its incredible taste, this salad is packed with wholesome, healthy ingredients. Avocados provide beneficial monounsaturated fats, while corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cilantro deliver a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s a delicious way to incorporate more fresh produce into your diet, leaving you feeling nourished and energized. The simple dressing keeps it light, making it a guilt-free pleasure you can enjoy often. It’s absolutely delish and a dish you’ll find yourself craving time and again!
Tips for the Perfect Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad
Achieving the perfect Grilled Corn Avocado Salad is easier than you might think, especially with a few handy tips. The quality of your ingredients makes a significant difference, so always aim for the freshest produce available. Beyond that, a little attention to detail during preparation can elevate this simple salad to extraordinary heights. These pointers will help ensure your salad is always vibrant, delicious, and perfectly textured.
Mastering the Grilled Corn
Grilling the corn is a crucial step that infuses the salad with its signature smoky flavor. To prepare, you can grill the corn either with the husks on or removed. For husks-on grilling, soak the corn in water for 15-20 minutes before placing directly on the grill. This helps steam the kernels while preventing the husks from burning too quickly. For husks-off, lightly brush the corn cobs with olive oil before grilling until tender and slightly charred, rotating occasionally for even cooking. Once grilled, allow the corn to cool slightly before carefully cutting the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife. This process brings out an unparalleled sweetness and a subtle smoky taste that elevates the entire salad.
Perfecting the Avocado
Avocado is key to the creamy texture of this salad. Choose ripe but firm avocados to ensure they hold their shape when diced. To prevent the diced avocado from browning, a common issue, sprinkle it generously with fresh lemon or lime juice immediately after cutting. This acidic barrier significantly slows down oxidation. Alternatively, you can prepare all other ingredients in advance and add the diced, lemon-juiced avocado just before you’re ready to serve, ensuring it looks its best.
Selecting Fresh Ingredients
The vibrancy of this salad truly depends on the freshness of its components. Opt for bright red, firm cherry tomatoes, crisp, unblemished cucumbers, and lively green onions and cilantro. Fresh, high-quality feta cheese will also make a noticeable difference in flavor. The better your ingredients, the more spectacular your Grilled Corn Avocado Salad will taste. A trip to your local farmer’s market can often yield the best results for seasonal produce.
Customizing Your Dressing
While the simple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing is wonderfully effective, don’t hesitate to customize it to your liking. For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. A squeeze of fresh lime juice can brighten the flavors even further, especially when paired with cilantro. You could also experiment with different vinegars, such as white wine vinegar for a milder tang, or even a touch of honey for a hint of sweetness to balance the acidity. Always taste and adjust seasonings to ensure the dressing perfectly complements the fresh vegetables.
Serving Suggestions and Make-Ahead Tips
This salad is best served slightly chilled, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. You can prepare all the vegetables and the dressing in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. When it’s time to serve, combine everything in a large bowl, pour the dressing over, and toss gently. This ensures the avocado remains fresh and vibrant, and the other ingredients retain their crispness. It’s perfect as a side for grilled meats, seafood, or even scooped into lettuce cups for a light lunch. Its impressive appearance and delightful taste make it a staple for any summer gathering.
Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad
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Ingredients
- 5 ears corn grilled – remove kernels with a sharp knife
- 10- oz container cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 avocados diced and sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning
- 3.5- oz container reduced fat feta cheese
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1/2 large cucumber peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 6 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt or more to taste
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine corn, cherry tomatoes, avocados, feta cheese, green onions, cucumber and cilantro. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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In a small glass jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper and shake up. When ready to serve, pour over salad and stir together. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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