Roasted Corn and Avocado Salad
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This is a refreshing corn and avocado salad finished with a zesty chipotle lime dressing. It's healthy and colorful and is perfect for summer parties or BBQs. It's simple to make and it's ready in just 30 minutes!
This corn salad is one of our favorites, along with our tomato and corn salad and grilled corn salad with sausage.
This corn and avocado salad is colorful, delicious, and full of feel-good ingredients. It's a healthy side dish you can serve with anything you're grilling, and it's perfect for summer.
We roast the corn in the oven until it's slightly charred which brings out the corn's inherent sweetness. Then we toss it with some crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, and a smoky citrus dressing to bring it all together. It's super quick and satisfying to make.
This lettuce-free salad is what we bring to parties and picnics all summer long, and it always disappears quickly. You can enjoy it as a salad, scoop it up with tortilla chips, or use it as a burger topping!
Corn and avocado salad ingredients notes
You only need a handful of healthy ingredients for this avocado corn salad. Here's what you need:
- Frozen corn ā we use frozen corn to make this salad year-round. You can absolutely use fresh corn on the cob if it's in season. You'll need 3 large cobs with the kernels cut off.
- Celery stalks ā make sure your celery stalks are firm for a wonderful crunch.
- Red bell pepper ā we like the color that red bell pepper adds to this salad, but any color of bell pepper like orange or yellow will work.
- Red onion ā red onion is sweeter and milder than other onion varieties. It adds color, crunch, and flavor.
- Avocado ā a ripe avocado that's still somewhat firm will hold up well in this salad.
Here's what you need for the easy chipotle mint dressing:
- Lemon juice ā fresh lemon juice is best. It adds acidity and brightness. You can also use fresh lime juice if you prefer.
- Vegetable oil ā a neutral vegetable oil like olive oil or avocado oil is what we use.
- Fresh mint ā mint has a subtle sweetness and cool taste, making this dressing extra refreshing. Basil also tastes delicious if you have some on hand.
- Adobo sauce ā adobo sauce is what chipotle peppers in adobo come packaged in. Our kitchen hack is to buy a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, purĆ©e them, then store them in a jar in the fridge to use in a variety of ways.
- Maple syrup ā the sweetness of maple syrup rounds out the dressing.
- Sea salt + pepper
How to make corn and avocado salad
This roasted corn and avocado salad is an easy side dish that's perfect for summer parties and BBQs. Here's how we make it in a couple of easy steps:
- Roast the corn kernels in the oven until they start to char.
- Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Add the other vegetables, roasted corn, and avocado to a bowl. Toss gently with the dressing before serving!
Corn and avocado salad add-ins
This salad with avocado and corn is really versatile so feel free to add or swap ingredients based on what's in season, or what you have on hand. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Cherry tomatoes ā if you're making this salad in the summer, cherry tomatoes are a great idea. Slice them in half or quarters and toss them in.
- Cucumbers ā we love the fresh, cooling, and crunchy taste of cucumbers. No need to peel them. Just dice them up and toss them in.
- Feta cheese or cotija cheese ā crumble in some feta or cotija cheese for a salty cheesy taste.
- Fresh herbs ā we use mint in the dressing but cilantro, basil, and chives all taste great, too.
What to eat with avocado corn salad
Sweet corn screams summertime, but this corn and avocado salad is delicious any time of year. It's a great salad for picnics, potlucks, and backyard BBQs. It tastes great with a healthy burger, grilled sausage, fish, or shrimp, and Mexican foods of all kinds!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, this salad stores well. Just wait until right before you serve it to add the avocado because it will start to brown shortly after it's sliced.
How long does leftover salad keep in the fridge?
Store any leftover salad in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. The avocado will brown which doesn't look pretty but won't affect the taste.
Can I grill the corn instead of roasting it?
Absolutely! You'll want to grill three cobs of corn and then slice off the kernels.
Corn and Avocado Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen corn (or 3 large cobs of corn with the kernels cut off)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 1 sweet red pepper (diced)
- Ā½ cup red onion (diced)
- 1 avocado (peeled, pitted and diced)
The Dressing
- Ā¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from a jar of chipotle peppers)
- Ā½ teaspoon maple syrup
- Ā¼ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the corn kernels on a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until several pieces begin to char. Let the corn cool slightly.3 cups frozen corn
- In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, oil, mint, adobo sauce, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.Ā¼ cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint, 1 teaspoon adobo sauce, Ā¼ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper, Ā½ teaspoon maple syrup
- To a large bowl, add the celery, red pepper, and onion. Add the roasted corn and avocado and pour the dressing over top. Toss gently to combine.2 stalks celery, 1 sweet red pepper, 1 avocado, Ā½ cup red onion
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
If you love corn as much as we do, check out all of our corn recipes!