Tropical Charred Corn Avocado Salad (Printable)
Grilled corn, creamy avocado and pineapple tossed in lime-honey-cumin dressing for a bright, tropical salad.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables & Fruits
01 - 3 ears fresh corn, husked
02 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
03 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
06 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - Juice of 2 limes
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
11 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How-To:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill corn cobs, turning frequently, until lightly charred on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then carefully cut kernels off the cob.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the charred corn kernels, diced avocado, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and sliced chili if using.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey or agave syrup, cumin, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, taking care not to mash the avocado.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or chill for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The char on the corn adds a smoky depth that makes this taste like it took far more effort than twenty five minutes.
- It is one of those rare salads that actually tastes better at room temperature, so you can stop stressing about timing.
02 -
- Avocado discolors quickly once exposed to air, so the extra lime juice in the dressing is not just for flavor but also helps slow browning.
- Cutting corn off the cob sends kernels flying everywhere unless you nestle the cob inside a large bowl before slicing downward.
03 -
- A light brush of oil on the corn before grilling helps the char develop evenly without drying out the kernels.
- Use agave syrup instead of honey to keep this entirely vegan without sacrificing any of the balance.