Sweet & Smoky Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad Recipe – Perfect Summer Bite

Grilled pineapple reimagines ordinary side dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences with its caramelized charm and unexpected depth.

Sweet and smoky notes dance across this inventive salad, creating a sensory journey that awakens your palate.

Summer’s bounty shines through each carefully prepared ingredient, promising a vibrant and memorable meal.

Charred kernels and golden fruit slices intermingle, delivering surprising flavor combinations that challenge traditional expectations.

The interplay of textures—crisp, juicy, and tender—ensures every forkful feels like a delightful revelation.

Fresh herbs and zesty seasonings elevate this dish beyond simple ingredients, turning it into a conversation-starting sensation.

Prepare to fall in love with a salad that defies convention and celebrates bold, bright tastes.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad: A Sweet and Smoky Summer Dish

• Unleash Summer Grilling Magic: This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into a vibrant, grilled masterpiece that captures the essence of seasonal cooking with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Nutritional Powerhouse Delight: Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and diverse nutrients from avocado, blueberries, pepitas, and fresh produce, the salad offers a balanced meal that supports overall wellness.
• Texture Sensation Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between charred, caramelized pineapple, crisp corn kernels, creamy avocado, and crunchy pepitas that dance together in every refreshing bite.
• Quick and Foolproof Technique: Using simple grilling and layering methods, anyone can create this restaurant-quality salad in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or spontaneous summer gatherings.

What You’ll Need for Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad

• Pineapple: Sweet tropical fruit with a caramelized flavor when grilled, look for ripe but firm fruit.
• Mixed Greens: Crisp salad base with variety of leafy textures, choose fresh and vibrant greens.
• Corn: Sweet summer vegetable with charred flavor, select fresh ears with bright kernels.
• Avocado: Creamy and rich ingredient for smooth texture, pick ripe but firm avocados.
• Blueberries: Small burst of sweet and tangy flavor, select plump and deep blue berries.

• Pepitas: Crunchy pumpkin seeds with nutty flavor, raw or toasted seeds work well.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for dressing and grilling, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Citrus Ingredients: Adds bright and tangy notes to the dressing, use fresh citrus for maximum zest.

How to Prepare Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Zesty Dressing

Grab a mason jar and add all dressing ingredients. Use an immersion blender to whip up a smooth, vibrant sauce that will make your salad pop with flavor.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill

Heat your grill to medium-high and give the grates a good cleaning to prevent sticking and ensure beautiful grill marks.

Step 3: Grill the Pineapple

Lightly coat pineapple slices with olive oil. Grill for 2 minutes on each side until you see those gorgeous caramelized lines and the fruit looks slightly golden.

Step 4: Char the Corn

Place corn on the grill, turning every 5 minutes to get an even char. You want those kernels to have a smoky, slightly blackened look.

Step 5: Prep the Salad Ingredients

• Dice the pineapple into bite-sized cubes
• Shave corn kernels off the cob

Step 6: Assemble the Salad

• Mixed greens
• Grilled pineapple chunks
• Corn kernels
• Pepitas
• Blueberries
• Avocado slices

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Drizzle your zesty dressing over the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy a burst of summer flavors!

Tips for Enhancing Your Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad

• Enhance Grill Marks: Pat pineapple slices dry before grilling to achieve beautiful caramelized char lines and prevent steaming.
• Maximize Corn Flavor: Choose fresh, in-season corn for the sweetest, most intense grilled taste and optimal texture.
• Perfect Dressing Consistency: Shake mason jar vigorously if separation occurs to ensure a smooth, well-blended citrus dressing.
• Prevent Avocado Browning: Cut avocado just before serving and sprinkle with lemon juice to maintain bright, fresh color.
• Customize Crunch: Toast pepitas briefly in a dry skillet to elevate their nutty flavor and add extra crispness to the salad.

How to Store and Enjoy Leftovers of Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad

• Refrigeration: Store the salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Separate the grilled pineapple, corn, and mixed greens to prevent wilting and sogginess. Keep the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Reheating Corn and Pineapple: Gently warm grilled pineapple and corn in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve their smoky grilled flavor and prevent turning mushy. Drizzle a bit of olive oil to refresh the ingredients.
• Salad Reconstruction: When ready to enjoy leftovers, reassemble the salad by layering fresh mixed greens and adding the warmed pineapple and corn.

Pairings That Make Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad Shine

• Spark Sweet-Tangy Wine Pairing: Match this grilled summer salad with a crisp Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, which perfectly balances the caramelized pineapple's sweetness and complements the salad's bright citrus dressing.
• Elevate Protein Companion: Add grilled shrimp or rotisserie chicken to transform this vibrant salad into a complete meal, enhancing its tropical and fresh flavor profile while providing extra protein and texture.
• Boost Refreshing Beverage Option: Serve alongside a chilled pineapple-mint mocktail or light wheat beer, which will echo the salad's tropical notes and provide a cooling counterpoint to the grilled ingredients' smoky undertones.
• Enhance Bread Side: Pair with toasted sourdough or a rustic ciabatta to soak up the citrus dressing and add a delightful crunch that contrasts the salad's soft, juicy elements.

Variations to Try with Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad

• Tropical Fiesta Salad: Replace blueberries with mango chunks and add grilled shrimp for a protein-packed coastal version that brings Caribbean flavors to your plate.
• Southwest Heat Salad: Incorporate black beans, diced jalapeños, and replace pepitas with crispy tortilla strips to create a spicier, more robust southwestern-inspired variation.
• Mediterranean Green Salad: Swap mixed greens with arugula, add crumbled feta cheese, and include kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-style interpretation with tangy undertones.
• Coconut Crunch Salad: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the salad, use lime dressing instead of citrus, and add grilled chicken for extra texture and tropical flair.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad brings tropical flair to summer dining with smoky-sweet flavors. Sweet pineapple and charred corn mingle with zesty lime and fresh herbs, creating a refreshing side dish you’ll crave at backyard gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Main Ingredients:

• 4 slices pineapple
• 2–3 cups fresh mixed greens
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 0.5 corn on the cob
• 0.5 cup pepitas
• 0.33 cup blueberries

Dressing Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 0.25 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 0.75 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Califia unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots

Seasoning:

• 1 pinch of salt
• 0.25 cup loosely packed fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Create the citrus dressing by combining all ingredients in a mason jar and using an immersion blender to emulsify into a smooth, vibrant mixture.
2. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F/190-204°C) and thoroughly clean the grates to prevent sticking.
3. Gently coat fresh pineapple slices with a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil, ensuring even coverage for optimal caramelization.
4. Place pineapple slices directly on the hot grill grates, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown grill marks appear and natural sugars begin to caramelize.
5. Simultaneously grill whole corn ears, rotating every 4 to 5 minutes to achieve an even, deep char across the entire surface.
6. Remove grilled pineapple and corn from heat, allowing them to cool for 5 to 7 minutes at room temperature.
7. Carefully dice the grilled pineapple into bite-sized cubes and use a sharp knife to shave corn kernels from the cob into a separate bowl.
8. Arrange a bed of fresh mixed salad greens in two serving bowls, creating a vibrant base for the grilled ingredients.
9. Artfully distribute grilled pineapple cubes, charred corn kernels, toasted pepitas, ripe blueberries, and creamy avocado slices over the greens.
10. Generously drizzle the prepared citrus dressing over the salad, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
11. Serve immediately to preserve the warm, smoky essence of the grilled components and the crisp freshness of the salad.

Notes

• Grilling transforms ordinary fruits and veggies into a smoky, caramelized flavor explosion.
• Fresh summer ingredients dance together, creating a vibrant and colorful salad experience.
• Citrus dressing adds a zesty punch that brightens each bite with tangy freshness.
• Pepitas bring a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to balance the sweet and savory elements.
• Mix-and-match toppings allow you to customize this versatile salad for any occasion.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 1,028 kcal
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 130mg
• Fat: 95g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 83g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 69g
• Fiber: 17g
• Protein: 16g
• Cholesterol: 0mg