Quick & Tangy Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado Recipe for Summer

Grilled corn salad bursts with summer’s vibrant spirit, reinventing simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Fresh kernels dance with creamy textures and unexpected flavor combinations that spark excitement on your plate.

Charred edges hint at smoky depths while contrasting ingredients mingle in delightful harmony.

Summer’s bounty comes alive through carefully balanced elements that surprise and satisfy simultaneously.

Each forkful promises a sensory journey through sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.

Crisp vegetables intermingle with rich, velvety components that challenge traditional salad expectations.

Prepare to experience a dish that transcends ordinary side dishes.

Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese & Hot Honey Vinaigrette: A Bold and Flavorful Salad

• Elevate Summer Grilling: Transform simple corn into a show-stopping salad with smoky charred kernels that burst with intense flavor, making your backyard barbecue instantly more gourmet and exciting.
• Balanced Nutrition Powerhouse: Pack a single dish with incredible nutritional benefits, delivering healthy fats from avocado, protein from goat cheese, and fiber-rich vegetables in a deliciously light meal that satisfies without feeling heavy.
• Spicy-Sweet Flavor Adventure: Experience a tantalizing flavor explosion with hot honey vinaigrette that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and tangy notes, creating a complex taste profile that keeps every bite interesting and memorable.
• Quick and Easy Gourmet Prep: Prepare a restaurant-quality salad in just 30 minutes with minimal cooking skills required, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings with friends and family.

What You Need for a Delicious Grilled Corn Salad

• Corn: Sweet summer corn with a smoky grilled flavor, best when fresh and in season.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds bright, juicy burst of freshness to the salad.
• Avocado: Creamy and rich, provides a smooth texture and healthy fats.
• Red Onion: Sharp, crisp ingredient that gives a tangy bite to the salad.
• Fresh Basil: Provides an aromatic herb flavor with a light, peppery note.

• Goat Cheese: Tangy, creamy cheese that adds richness and a distinctive flavor profile.

• Honey: Sweet base for the dressing with a natural, smooth consistency.
• Cayenne or Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick and heat to the vinaigrette.
• Avocado Oil: Light, neutral oil perfect for dressing with a smooth texture.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a tangy, bright acidic element to balance the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and helps emulsify the vinaigrette.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle, aromatic garlic flavor.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste.

How to Make Grilled Corn Salad with Bold Flavors

Step 1: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Drizzle corn with avocado oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill corn for 20 minutes, turning occasionally until beautifully charred and golden.

Step 2: Prep the Corn and Veggies

• Corn kernels
• Cherry tomatoes
• Diced avocado
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Fresh basil leaves

Gently toss ingredients together.

Step 3: Craft the Spicy Honey Vinaigrette

• Avocado oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix until well combined.

Step 4: Dress and Serve

Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss carefully to coat all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 5: Final Touches

Serve immediately. If preparing in advance, add fresh avocado and goat cheese just before serving to maintain texture and freshness.

Tips for Perfectly Grilled Corn in Your Salad

• Char Corn Perfectly: Rotate corn every 5 minutes on the grill to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning while developing rich, smoky flavor.
• Slice Kernels Cleanly: Use a sharp knife and a wide cutting board to remove kernels, holding the cob vertically for maximum control and minimal mess.
• Chill Ingredients Strategically: Keep avocado and goat cheese slightly cool to maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming too soft in the salad.
• Balance Vinaigrette Heat: Start with a small amount of cayenne or hot sauce, then gradually increase to control the spice level and achieve your preferred intensity.
• Prep Ahead Smartly: Grill corn and make vinaigrette in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator, then assemble the salad just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crisp.

Storing Leftover Grilled Corn Salad with Ease

• Refrigeration: Transfer salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy ingredients and maintain crisp textures.
• Reheating Tips: Best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Gently stir before serving to redistribute ingredients. Avoid microwaving, as this will wilt delicate herbs and make avocado mushy.
• Ingredient Freshness: Add fresh basil and goat cheese just before serving to revive the salad's vibrant flavors and prevent wilting. Discard if ingredients appear brown or have off-putting odors.

Pairing Grilled Corn Salad with Complementary Sides

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Grab a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the salad's smoky corn and creamy goat cheese, cutting through the hot honey's spiciness while refreshing your palate.
• Match with Grilled Protein Partner: Serve alongside grilled chicken or shrimp to create a complete summer meal, letting the salad's bright flavors enhance the protein's simple seasoning.
• Select Rustic Bread Companion: Choose a crusty sourdough or rustic ciabatta to soak up the tangy vinaigrette and provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft avocado and creamy goat cheese.
• Cool Beer Refreshment: Opt for a light wheat beer or crisp pilsner that will balance the salad's heat and acidity, making each bite feel like a summer celebration.

Add Flavor Twists to Your Grilled Corn Salad

• Summer Grilled Corn Fiesta: Swap basil for cilantro, add diced jalapeños, and include black beans for a Mexican-inspired version with vibrant southwestern flavors.
• Mediterranean Corn Salad: Replace goat cheese with crumbled feta, add cucumber, kalamata olives, and use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar for a Greek-style variation.
• Smoky Corn Salad Remix: Incorporate crispy bacon bits, use smoked paprika in the vinaigrette, and sprinkle with green onions for an extra layer of rich, smoky complexity.
• Herb Garden Corn Salad: Mix in fresh dill, chives, and parsley, substitute honey with maple syrup, and add toasted pine nuts for a refreshing herbal profile with nutty undertones.

Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Summer’s zesty grilled corn salad blends charred kernels with creamy avocado and tangy goat cheese. Hot honey vinaigrette drizzled across delivers bold southwestern flavors that dance on palates and leave you craving another refreshing bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes (heirloom or grape)
• ⅓ cup goat cheese, crumbled

Herbs and Aromatics:

• 6 large basil leaves, julienned
• ¼ cup diced red onion (or substitute green onion)
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (or substitute fresh lime juice)
• ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper or ½ teaspoon hot sauce
• Freshly ground salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Fire up the grill to a medium-high temperature, ensuring the grates are clean and prepped for cooking.
2. Coat the entire corn ears with a thin layer of avocado oil, then generously sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
3. Place corn directly on the grill grates and rotate every 5 minutes to achieve an even, caramelized char across the surface, cooking for approximately 15-20 minutes total.
4. Remove corn from the grill and allow it to cool for 5-7 minutes to prevent burning while handling.
5. Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully slice the roasted kernels off the cob, collecting them in a large mixing bowl.
6. Add diced ripe avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled goat cheese, thinly sliced red onion, and freshly chopped basil leaves to the corn kernels.
7. Prepare the spicy honey vinaigrette by gently warming honey in a small saucepan, then whisking in cayenne pepper or hot sauce for heat.
8. Incorporate avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the warm honey mixture, creating a vibrant and tangy dressing.
9. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and delicately toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
11. Serve immediately or refrigerate and add fresh avocado and goat cheese just before presenting the salad.

Notes

• Fire up the grill with confidence, knowing perfectly charred corn brings maximum flavor to this summer salad.
• Cooling grilled corn allows kernels to be sliced smoothly without burning your hands or losing juicy sweetness.
• Mixing fresh ingredients creates vibrant color and texture combinations that dance together deliciously.
• Summer’s bounty shines through with crisp vegetables and creamy cheese balanced by spicy-sweet vinaigrette.
• Preparing components separately lets you customize and assemble quickly, making this recipe perfect for spontaneous gatherings or quick weeknight meals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 15mg