Sizzling Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad Recipe with Zesty Citrus

Tropical sunshine dances across this grilled pineapple and corn salad, elevateing ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Sweet caramelized chunks blend seamlessly with charred kernels, creating a symphony of smoky-sweet flavors.

Summer’s warmth radiates through each carefully selected ingredient, promising a refreshing escape from mundane meal routines.

Crisp vegetables intermingle with luscious fruit, offering a balanced contrast of textures and temperatures.

creamy citrus dressing weaves through the ingredients, adding bright, tangy notes that elevate the entire composition.

Vibrant colors and aromatic herbs promise a sensory journey that celebrates fresh, seasonal produce.

Prepare to be transported by this unexpected flavor combination.

Why You’ll Love Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

• Unlock Smoky-Sweet Flavor Fusion: Grilling pineapple and corn transforms ordinary ingredients into a taste sensation, creating caramelized edges and deep, complex flavor profiles that dance on your palate.
• Quick and Nutrient-Packed Meal Prep: This salad delivers a powerhouse of nutrition in just 15 minutes, packed with fiber, healthy fats from avocado and pepitas, and vibrant antioxidants from fresh fruits and greens.
• Versatile Summer Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or light dinners, this salad adapts easily to different dietary preferences and offers a refreshing twist on traditional summer side dishes.
• Effortless Gourmet Experience: Using simple techniques like grilling and blending in a mason jar, home cooks can create a restaurant-quality dish without complicated cooking skills or expensive equipment.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing: Key Ingredients

• Pineapple: Sweet tropical fruit with caramelized flavor when grilled, choose ripe but firm fruit with golden color.
• Corn: Fresh summer vegetable that develops smoky char when grilled, select ears with bright green husks and plump kernels.
• Mixed Greens: Fresh salad base providing crisp texture and nutritional foundation, choose a blend with varied leaf types.
• Blueberries: Small berries adding sweet-tart burst of flavor, select firm and deeply colored berries.
• Avocado: Creamy fruit adding richness and healthy fat, pick ripe avocados with slight give when gently pressed.

• Citrus Juice: Bright acidic component providing zesty flavor, use fresh squeezed for best taste.
• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base creating smooth dressing texture, select full-fat version for richness.

• Pepitas: Crunchy pumpkin seeds offering nutty flavor and texture, choose raw or lightly toasted seeds.
• Olive Oil: Essential for grilling and adding subtle flavor, use extra virgin for best quality.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing: Simple Preparation

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Dressing

Grab a mason jar and toss in the dressing ingredients. Blend using an immersion blender until silky smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill and Char the Fruits

Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush pineapple slices with olive oil and grill for 2 minutes on each side until golden and caramelized. Rotate corn on the cob every 5 minutes, grilling until it develops a nice char.

Step 3: Prep and Assemble the Salad

• Grilled pineapple chunks
• Fresh corn kernels
• Crunchy pepitas
• Sweet blueberries
• Creamy avocado slices

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the freshly made citrus dressing over the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of summer flavors.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing Tips for Flavor

• Char Pineapple Perfectly: Brush fruit with olive oil just before grilling to create beautiful caramelized grill marks and enhance natural sweetness.
• Rotate Corn Strategically: Turn corn every few minutes to ensure even charring and prevent burning while developing rich, smoky flavor.
• Chill Dressing First: Refrigerate citrus dressing for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
• Select Ripe Produce: Choose golden-yellow corn and slightly soft pineapple for maximum sweetness and optimal grilling results.
• Prep Ingredients Ahead: Chop and slice all components in advance to streamline assembly and create a stress-free meal preparation experience.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers of Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Keep the dressing in a sealed jar and vegetables in individual containers to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze: Avoid freezing this salad as fresh ingredients like avocado and mixed greens will lose texture and become mushy when thawed.
• Reheat: Since this is a fresh salad, enjoy cold straight from the refrigerator. Gently toss ingredients before serving to redistribute the dressing and revive the salad's vibrant flavors. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and quality.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing Pairing Ideas

• Pair with Tropical White Wine: Select a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the grilled pineapple's sweetness and enhance the salad's bright citrus notes.
• Match with Summery Cocktail: Create a refreshing mojito using fresh mint and white rum that mirrors the salad's tropical flavor profile and provides a zesty, cooling contrast.
• Serve Alongside Grilled Protein: Add herb-marinated grilled chicken or shrimp to transform this vibrant salad into a complete meal with additional protein and texture.
• Recommend Sparkling Agua Fresca: Blend fresh watermelon or pineapple with sparkling water for a light, non-alcoholic beverage that echoes the salad's fruity and fresh components.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing: Fun Variations

• Tropical Fusion Salad: Swap blueberries with mango chunks and add grilled shrimp for a protein-packed Caribbean-inspired version.
• Smoky Mediterranean Remix: Replace pepitas with crumbled feta cheese, add roasted red peppers, and use a herb-infused olive oil for grilling.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Incorporate black beans, jalapeños, and cilantro. Substitute citrus dressing with a chipotle-lime vinaigrette for extra kick.
• Green Goddess Variation: Include baby spinach instead of mixed greens, add grilled zucchini strips, and sprinkle with hemp seeds for nutritional boost.

Grilled Pineapple and Corn Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

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

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Description

Summer’s zestiest salad combines charred pineapple and sweet corn with a creamy citrus dressing. Refreshing Caribbean-inspired ingredients mingle beautifully, promising cool comfort and bold flavors for hungry diners.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

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

Garnish and Crunch:

• ½ cup pepitas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Citrus Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• ¾ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup loosely packed fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Califia unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Create a vibrant citrus dressing by combining all components in a glass jar, using an immersion blender to emulsify the mixture into a smooth, creamy consistency.
2. Heat the grill to a medium-high temperature (375-400°F or 190-204°C), ensuring grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
3. Brush fresh pineapple slices with olive oil, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper, then grill for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side until golden caramelized grill marks appear.
4. Simultaneously grill fresh corn on the cob, rotating every 4-5 minutes to achieve an even, slightly charred exterior, which should take about 12-15 minutes total.
5. Remove grilled ingredients from heat and allow them to cool for 3-4 minutes, preventing burning and enabling easier handling.
6. Carefully dice the grilled pineapple into small, uniform cubes and expertly shave corn kernels from the cob using a sharp chef’s knife.
7. Arrange a bed of crisp mixed salad greens in serving bowls, creating an attractive base for the grilled elements.
8. Artfully distribute grilled pineapple cubes, roasted corn kernels, toasted pepitas, ripe blueberries, and creamy avocado slices over the greens.
9. Generously drizzle the prepared citrus dressing over the salad, ensuring even coverage, and serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Keep dressing ingredients chilled before blending to maintain a vibrant, refreshing taste.
• Rotate corn frequently on the grill to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization.
• Choose ripe pineapple with golden-yellow color for maximum sweetness and juiciness.
• Select fresh, crisp mixed greens as the salad base for optimal texture and nutritional value.
• Customize salad toppings based on seasonal availability and personal preference.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 0mg