From the Heart of Corn Country: Why This Salad Shines

Greetings from Nebraska! While we’re known for many wonderful things, a few stand out: our renowned “Nebraska Nice” hospitality, our central location in the United States, and our profound appreciation for agriculture – especially corn. Here, corn isn’t just a crop; it’s deeply ingrained in our culture, so much so that our beloved collegiate football team is proudly named the Cornhuskers! When a corn recipe originates from our kitchen, you can be absolutely certain it’s been meticulously crafted and taste-tested to perfection. This Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad is a testament to our love for this golden grain, showcasing its versatility and deliciousness in a fresh, exciting way that truly represents the bounty of summer.

The Allure of Grilled Corn: A Game-Changer for Your Salad

This salad truly encapsulates everything you could want in a summer dish: an exquisite blend of flavors, a captivating array of textures, and an undeniable visual appeal. It’s a delightful feast for both the eyes and the palate. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for a light summertime lunch, a refreshing and satisfying dinner, or the perfect crowd-pleasing side dish that complements any meal.

What sets this particular recipe apart is the inclusion of grilled corn. If you’ve never considered adding grilled corn to your salads, you’re missing out on a truly transformative experience. While sweet corn, boiled or steamed in season, is undeniably delicious, grilling it takes its flavor to an entirely new dimension. The charring process brings out a deeper, more complex sweetness and infuses the kernels with a subtle smokiness that elevates the entire salad. This technique adds an unparalleled depth and character, making every bite incredibly rich and satisfying.

Whether you’re packing it up for a scenic picnic at the park, contributing to a bustling potluck, or simply enjoying a leisurely meal in your own backyard, this salad is designed for enjoyment. Its vibrant freshness and incredible taste are guaranteed to leave you pleasantly surprised and reaching for a second helping. It’s an ideal recipe for showcasing the best of summer’s fresh produce.

Make-Ahead Perfection: Tips for Your Corn and Avocado Salad

This popular salad has a reputation for disappearing fast in our home, so consider making a double batch to ensure you have some delightful leftovers for the next day! One of the best qualities of this dish is its adaptability to advance preparation. While the salad tastes best when freshly assembled to maintain the vibrant color and firm texture of the avocado, many components can be prepped ahead of time.

If you plan to serve it a few hours later, don’t worry if the avocados show a slight brown tinge; the flavor will remain absolutely fantastic. The optimal strategy for preparing this salad in advance is to grill the corn beforehand. Once the corn is perfectly charred and cooled, you can easily slice off the kernels and store them. Then, simply gather and chop the remaining fresh ingredients, assembling the full salad just before you’re ready to serve. This method ensures maximum freshness and minimizes last-minute effort. With your grilled corn ready to go, the final assembly of this delightful dish takes virtually no time at all, making it a stress-free option for entertaining or busy weeknights.

Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Avocado Corn Salad

Creating a truly remarkable Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad begins with selecting the finest ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and dynamic textures that make this dish so special. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to bring this recipe to life:

For the Creamy and Zesty Dressing:

• Olive Oil: We recommend using extra virgin olive oil for its rich, fruity notes, which contribute significantly to the dressing’s depth. However, any good quality olive oil or even avocado oil will work beautifully, adding healthy fats and a smooth consistency.
• White Wine Vinegar: This ingredient provides a crisp, tangy acidity that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and avocado, brightening the entire dressing. If white wine vinegar isn’t available, apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar are excellent substitutes that offer similar acidic profiles.
• Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise forms the creamy base of our dressing, giving it a luxurious texture and binding all the flavors together. Feel free to use your preferred brand, whether it’s full-fat for maximum richness or a low-fat alternative.
• Fresh Garlic Cloves: Minced fresh garlic is essential for a pungent, aromatic kick that truly elevates the dressing. We strongly advise against using garlic powder here; the fresh cloves provide an incomparable depth of flavor.
• Smoked Paprika: This ingredient is a must-have! Smoked paprika infuses the dressing with a wonderful, deep, and savory smokiness that perfectly complements the grilled corn. Do not substitute it with regular paprika, as the flavor profile will be entirely different and less impactful.
• Salt and Black Pepper: These foundational seasonings are crucial for enhancing and balancing all the vibrant tastes within the dressing and, ultimately, the salad itself. Adjust them to your personal preference to achieve perfect seasoning.

For the Fresh and Flavorful Salad Base:

• Corn on the Cob: The undisputed star! Fresh ears of sweet corn, expertly grilled until slightly charred, offer the most incredible flavor and a delightful texture. If fresh grilled corn isn’t feasible, boiled, steamed, or even thawed frozen corn can be used, but be prepared for a less smoky flavor.
• Red Onion: Sliced thinly, red onion adds a fantastic crunchy texture, a sharp, piquant flavor, and a beautiful contrasting color to the salad. It’s essential for that fresh, zesty bite.
• Avocados: Cubed, perfectly ripe avocados bring a rich, creamy element to the salad, along with a boost of healthy fats. Ensure your avocados are ripe – yielding gently to pressure but not mushy – for optimal taste and texture.
• Jalapeño: Finely chopped jalapeño introduces a subtle, refreshing touch of spice. You can easily adjust the amount or remove the seeds and membranes for less heat, tailoring it to your preference.
• Fresh Herbs: A generous combination of fresh basil and mint is absolutely vital. These herbs contribute bright, herbaceous, and incredibly refreshing notes that lift the entire dish and add complexity to its flavor profile.
• Pepitas: Toasted pumpkin seeds, known as pepitas, provide a delightful nutty crunch and an added layer of texture. They also offer a healthy dose of protein, making the salad more satisfying.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese introduces a wonderfully salty, tangy, and briny flavor that beautifully complements the sweetness of the corn and the creaminess of the avocado. As an alternative, crumbled queso fresco also works exceptionally well for a slightly milder, creamier touch.

How to Prepare Your Delicious Avocado Corn Salad

Crafting this vibrant salad is surprisingly quick and easy, requiring just a few simple steps. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this gourmet-quality dish comes together, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and entertaining!

1. Prepare the Zesty Dressing:

   In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, mayonnaise, minced fresh garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and all flavors are well incorporated. Set it aside to allow the flavors to deepen while you prepare the other components.



2. Prepare the Corn:

   Allow your grilled corn cobs to cool for a few minutes until they are comfortable to handle. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the corn kernels off the cobs directly into a large mixing bowl or salad bowl. This technique ensures you capture all the delicious, charred kernels.







3. Combine Remaining Ingredients:

   To the bowl containing the grilled corn kernels, add the sliced red onion, cubed ripe avocados, finely chopped jalapeño, fresh chopped basil, fresh chopped mint, pepitas, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss all these ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly distributed, being careful not to mash the delicate avocado pieces.



4. Dress and Serve:

   Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the salad mixture. Give it one final gentle toss to ensure every ingredient is beautifully coated in the creamy, zesty dressing. This fantastic summer corn salad is equally delicious served immediately at room temperature, allowing the flavors to truly shine, or chilled straight from the refrigerator for a refreshing cool treat. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About This Summer Salad

• Can I use frozen or canned corn in this salad?

  While the smoky depth and natural sweetness of freshly grilled corn are what make this salad truly exceptional, you can certainly substitute with frozen (thawed and drained) or even well-drained canned corn if fresh is unavailable. However, please note that omitting the grilling step will significantly alter the unique flavor profile that sets this particular salad apart. For the best culinary experience, we highly recommend making the effort to grill fresh corn.

• How should I store leftovers of this corn avocado salad?

  Any leftover Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad should be stored in an airtight container and kept refrigerated. It will maintain its deliciousness for up to 3 to 4 days. While it’s natural for the avocado to oxidize and brown slightly over time, rest assured the salad will still taste wonderful. We do not recommend freezing this salad, as the textures of both the corn and avocado tend to degrade significantly upon thawing.

• What’s the best method for grilling corn on the cob?

  Grilling sweet corn on the cob is a simple process that adds incredible depth of flavor and a lovely char. If you’re new to grilling corn or simply want to perfect your technique, we recommend consulting a detailed guide. Here’s a fantastic resource that covers everything you need to know for perfectly grilled corn: How To Grill Corn. It will help you achieve that desired smoky sweetness!

• Can this recipe be adapted for a vegan diet?

  Absolutely! Making this salad vegan is straightforward. Simply replace traditional mayonnaise with your favorite eggless vegan mayonnaise. For the cheese component, you can either use a plant-based feta alternative or omit the feta entirely, as the salad remains incredibly flavorful and satisfying on its own.

• How can I increase the spice level of the salad?

  If you prefer a bolder kick, there are several ways to amp up the heat. You can add an extra jalapeño, or for a more intense spice, include a pinch of cayenne pepper directly into the dressing. For a different flavor of heat, a dash of your favorite hot sauce can also be mixed into the dressing for an instant fiery boost.

Creative Substitutions & Delicious Variations

Don’t hesitate to unleash your inner chef and customize this recipe to perfectly match your personal taste preferences, dietary requirements, or what you have available in your pantry. Cooking is an art, and this salad provides a wonderful canvas for culinary creativity!

• Onion Alternatives: If red onions are too strong for your liking, or you simply don’t have any, thinly sliced green onions (scallions) or finely minced chives make excellent, milder substitutes, offering a fresh onion flavor without the intensity.
• Explore Different Cheeses: Beyond the delightful tang of feta, consider using crumbled cotija cheese for a more authentic Mexican street corn-inspired flavor profile. Cotija is a salty, firm cheese that holds its shape well. For those avoiding dairy, a variety of delicious vegan feta alternatives are readily available, or you can opt to simply omit the cheese entirely – the salad is still incredibly flavorful without it!
• Boost with Protein: Easily transform this vibrant side dish into a complete and satisfying main course by adding your favorite grilled protein. Strips of perfectly grilled chicken, steak, or succulent shrimp would be magnificent additions, turning it into a hearty and balanced meal.
• Add More Veggies: Enhance the salad’s visual appeal and nutritional value by incorporating other fresh vegetables. Halved cherry tomatoes or finely diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for extra sweetness) would add beautiful color and juicy bursts of flavor.
• Citrus Zest: For an extra layer of brightness and to lean further into a Mexican-inspired theme, a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished salad is highly recommended. Lemon juice can also provide a delightful zesty tang.
• Make it a Heartier Meal: If you’re looking to make this salad more substantial, stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans. They add fiber, protein, and a wonderful earthy flavor and texture, making the salad capable of standing alone as a fulfilling meal.

Pro Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad

Follow these expert tips and tricks to ensure your Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad turns out perfectly every single time, maximizing flavor and ease of preparation:

• Allow Corn to Cool: After grilling, let your corn cobs cool for several minutes. This makes them much easier and safer to handle when you’re ready to slice off the kernels. Attempting to cut hot corn can be difficult and dangerous.
• Prioritize Ripe Avocados: Plan ahead by purchasing your avocados a few days before you intend to prepare the salad. This allows them sufficient time to ripen to that ideal creamy, buttery texture. A perfectly ripe avocado should yield slightly when gently squeezed.
• Enhance with Tomatoes: For an additional pop of color and a burst of juicy freshness, consider folding in a handful of halved cherry tomatoes or finely chopped Roma tomatoes. Their sweetness and acidity complement the other ingredients beautifully.
• Serve it as a Fresh Salsa: This incredibly versatile salad can easily double as a delectable fresh corn salsa! Present it with a generous bowl of crispy tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a satisfying snack that everyone will love.
• Mexican Flavor Boost: To infuse the salad with an authentic Mexican flair, squeeze some fresh lime juice generously over it just before serving. A sprinkle of fresh, chopped cilantro, if you enjoy its bright flavor, would also be a fantastic aromatic addition.
• Transform into a Main Dish: To make this salad a more substantial main course, stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans. The beans add a significant amount of plant-based protein and fiber, turning your side dish into a fulfilling meal.

More Irresistible Salad Recipes to Love

If you’re passionate about fresh, vibrant, and flavorful salads, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some other fantastic salad recipes from our collection that we’re sure you’ll enjoy exploring and adding to your culinary repertoire:

• Avocado Tuna Salad (pictured above)
• Mediterranean Celery Salad With Olives
• Caprese Salad – Tomatoes With Mozzarella and Basil
• Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad
• Peach Basil Chicken Salad

For an even wider selection of culinary delights and fresh meal ideas, be sure to Browse All Our Delicious Salad Recipes Here!

Loving this recipe?
We’d be grateful if you could leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and share your thoughts in a comment below!

Print Recipe

Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad

This Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad perfectly encapsulates summer. It’s packed with fresh sweet corn, crisp red onion, creamy avocado, and aromatic herbs, all brought together by a delightful olive oil and mayonnaise dressing, finished with crumbled feta. Pure summer bliss!

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Course:

Salads

Cuisine:

American

Keywords:

avocado corn salad recipe, corn and avocado salad, corn salad, grilled corn for salad, grilled corn salad with avocado, Mexican corn avocado salad, Mexican corn recipe, summer salad

Servings:

4 servings

Calories:

497 kcal

Author:

Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Herb Scissors
• 12-Piece Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
• 3 Piece Wooden Salad Set
• Salad Spinner

Ingredients

• For the Salad Dressing:
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• For the Salad:
• 4 ears of sweet corn, grilled
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 2 large avocados, cubed
• 1 medium sized jalapeño, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup mint, chopped
• 1/4 cup pepitas
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, mayonnaise, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
2. After your grilled corn has cooled sufficiently to handle, carefully cut the kernels off the cob and transfer them to a large mixing or salad bowl.
3. Add the sliced red onion, cubed ripe avocados, finely chopped jalapeño, fresh chopped basil, fresh chopped mint, pepitas, and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl with the corn. Gently toss all ingredients together to combine evenly.
4. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently once more to ensure every component is beautifully coated. Serve immediately at room temperature or chilled from the fridge.

Notes

Store any leftover Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing this salad is not recommended as it will negatively impact the texture of the fresh ingredients, particularly the avocado and corn.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Serving: 1
• Calories: 497 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 44g
• Protein: 8g
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 28g
• Cholesterol: 4mg
• Sodium: 613mg
• Fiber: 10g
• Sugar: 15g