Fresh Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette

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Celebrate all of the fresh flavors of summer including fresh corn, tomato, and avocado with this colorful Tex Mex-inspired Fresh Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette

corn, tomato and avocado salad in a black bowl

Back in February when the summer still felt uncertain, we purchased this monstrosity as insurance for summer fun. Fortunately, things are mostly open and we can go to the “real” pool, but the kids have still spent hours climbing and sliding in that jubilant way unique to kids in the backyard in late summer. To go along with all of our backyard fun there have been many simple summer meals outside, and this summer salad has made a frequent appearance. It comes together fast, as all good summer sides should. I know you’ll love it too!

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3 cobs of corn on a tan towel

A Summer Salad with 5 Minutes of Cooking

We often resist turning on the stove or oven in the hot summer months, but what if just five minutes at the stove resulted in summer corn that is perfectly sweet, lightly charred and smoky, and took this summer salad from ordinary to great? Trust me, it’s worth the extra step and skillet to clean. 

The rest of this corn, tomato and avocado salad couldn’t be easier. It has a bit of a Tex Mex vibe from the chili lime vinaigrette. Not spicy, just super flavorful. Serve it with your favorite grilled meat (preferably some that’s been rubbed with Tex Mex Seasoning first).

This meal is:

  • Colorful
  • Easy
  • Fast
  • Fresh
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan
sauteeing corn kernels in a cast iron skillet

Shortcuts for This Meal

  1. Use frozen corn (defrost it and pat dry before adding to the hot skillet)
  2. Use store-bought salad dressing (just look for something with a Tex Mex vibe)
stirring vinaigrette in a clear glass bowl

Ingredients

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I love the flavor of olive oil in this salad, but any neutral oil you have will work just fine – grapeseed, vegetable, or avocado oil.
  • Corn – You can’t beat the flavor of fresh corn sliced right off the cobs, but as noted above, frozen corn kernels will work just fine as well. 
  • Tomatoes and Avocados – This salad is super simple, so be sure you get nice red, flavorful tomatoes, and avocados that are perfectly ripe (have a bit of give when pressed). 
  • Baby Arugula or Baby Spinach – Not necessary but to make this a more classic “green” salad, fold in a couple handfuls of baby arugula or baby spinach.
  • Fresh Herbs and Minced Onion – These add a ton of flavor to the vinaigrette, but in a pinch, you can definitely skip them. Whisking the onion right into the vinaigrette helps to mellow out its flavor.
  • Red or White Wine Vinegar – Either one will work. If you don’t have these on-hand, use whatever vinegar you have. I love this with apple cider vinegar as well which gives the dish a bit of sweetness. 
  • Lime Juice, Sugar, Salt – Balance out the flavor in the vinaigrette.
  • Chili Powder – Be sure to use chili powder which is a blend of spices, not cayenne pepper (which is very spicy).
mixing corn, tomato and avocado salad in a clear glass bowl

More Colorful Salads

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summer salad in a black bowl
5 from 2 votes

Fresh Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette

Celebrate all of the fresh flavors of summer including fresh corn, tomato, and avocado with this colorful Tex Mex-inspired salad. Tangy chili-lime vinaigrette brings it all together.
To adjust the servings in this recipe, click on the number next to servings.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Ingredients 

Fresh Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

  • 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3 ears Fresh Corn, kernels sliced off the cobs
  • 8 ounces Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, halved
  • 2 Avocados, sliced or chopped
  • Baby Arugula or Baby Spinach, for serving (optional)

Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

  • 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Red or White Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon finely minced Fresh Herbs (like cilantro, basil, or chives)
  • 1 Tablespoon finely minced Onion (any type of onion will work)
  • 2 teaspoons Lime Juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder (not cayenne)

Instructions 

  • Heat a skillet with 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add corn and let it cook without stirring until lightly charred and golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with some salt. Stir gently for 2 to 3 more minutes until corn is tender.
  • Transfer corn to a serving plate. Add tomatoes and avocados.
  • Whisk together all ingredients for the vinaigrette. Drizzle over vegetables and stir gently to coat.
  • Serve vegetables over baby arugula or baby spinach.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 641mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 744IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $6.00
Calories: 270
Keyword: BBQ, bbq side dish, corn recipe, easy side dish, potluck recipe, summer, summer salad
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About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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