Tropical Charred Corn Avocado Salad (Printable Version)
Charred corn, avocado and pineapple tossed in a lime-cumin dressing for a bright, tropical dish.
# What You'll 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 (about 3 tablespoons)
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
11 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place husked corn cobs on the grill and cook, turning frequently, until lightly charred on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely before cutting kernels off the cobs.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the charred corn kernels, diced avocado, diced pineapple, halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, and sliced red chili if using.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey or agave syrup, ground cumin, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper until well emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or chill for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The char on the corn adds a smoky depth that makes people ask what your secret is, and the answer is just patience and a hot pan.
- It comes together in under 30 minutes with zero cooking skills required beyond not walking away from a grill.
02 -
- Avocado browning is the enemy of a beautiful salad, so toss the diced pieces with a squeeze of extra lime juice right after cutting if you are prepping ahead.
- Corn straight from the grill into the salad will wilt everything and melt the avocado into sadness, so patience during the cooling step genuinely matters.
03 -
- Use a bundt pan or a bowl turned upside down to stand the corn upright while cutting kernels, it is oddly satisfying and keeps kernels from scattering everywhere.
- A light coating of oil on the corn before grilling helps the char develop more evenly and prevents sticking.