Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
Corn Tomato Avocado Salad is an explosion of Tex-Mex flavors and summertime textures tossed with a zippy lime vinaigrette, also great as a dip with chips!
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There's something just magical about fresh corn on the cob. I have to admit, though, that I used to mostly avoid it because it was such a sticky, frustrating mess to husk. That all changed a couple of years ago when I discovered the easiest, tastiest, BEST way to cook fresh corn...no more silk sticking to everything in sight! And now I don't hesitate to load up on fresh corn whenever it's in season.
Today's recipe is a twist on a Corn and Black Bean Salad that I've been making for years. But I always made that one with frozen corn...and lately I've been on a total cotija cheese kick...plus, what salad isn't improved with the addition of avocado?
So I decided to make a few changes, which resulted in this amazing, bursting-with-flavor Corn Tomato Avocado Salad! It's just the thing to carry you through the rest of the summer.
Ingredients
I think what makes this Corn Tomato Avocado salad so tasty is all of its contrasting flavors and textures.
You have the fresh corn kernels popping in your mouth with little bursts of sweetness.
You have the juicy acidity of the plump tomatoes.
You have the cool, creamy avocado.
And then there's the Tex-Mex contributions of zippy minced jalapeño, salty cotija cheese, zesty fresh cilantro, and a puckery lime dressing.
Yes, this recipe has something for everyone...and when you combine those somethings-for-everyone, they transform into something extraordinary!
Ingredient Notes
And now for a few quick ingredient notes for the perfect Corn Tomato Avocado Salad.
Don't be afraid of the jalapeños...as long as you remove all of the seeds and membranes, they won't be spicy. On the other hand, if you prefer a little heat, feel free to leave a few of those seeds and membranes intact.
As for the cotija cheese, I recommend buying it in a block and then crumbling it yourself. I've seen it already crumbled in a bag before, but the uniformity of the crumbles seemed a little suspect to me. That being said, if your grocery store lacks the vast selection of Mexican food items that we enjoy here in Texas, feta cheese is actually pretty similar to cotija in flavor and texture and can be used in a pinch.
I recommend buying a couple of limes and fresh-squeezing the juice for the dressing. And if you don't have white wine vinegar, you can use red wine vinegar instead. You may notice that the vinaigrette is pretty potent when you mix it up, but fear not...it will be distributed over a plethora of ingredients and won't taste overly strong once on the salad.
How to Enjoy It
And finally, while this recipe is coined Corn Tomato Avocado Salad, I can't resist scooping it up like a dip with tortilla chips.
It would even be amazing piled onto tacos or served atop a variety of Mexican entrees (as in the same way you might use pico de gallo). Completely and utterly addictive, I tell you...
So whether you need a fresh and zesty side salad, a garnish for Taco Tuesday, or a warm-weather party dip, Corn Tomato Avocado Salad is a must-make this summer. Some might even call it a fiesta en la boca... 😉
More Summer Corn Recipes
- Tortellini Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Basil, & Fresh Corn
- Summer Couscous Salad (and How to Cook Couscous)
- Tex-Mex Fresh Corn Dip
- Mexican Pasta Salad
Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
Ingredients
FOR THE DRESSING:
- ⅓ cup fresh-squeezed lime juice, plus additional lime juice for coating avocado
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
FOR THE SALAD:
- 4 ears fresh corn, roasted, shucked, & kernels sliced from cobs (about 3 ¼ cups kernels)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 fresh jalapeños, seeds & membranes removed and finely diced
- 4 ounces cotija cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 large, ripe avocados, diced & tossed in fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Make dressing by whisking all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated, or shaking them in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Set aside.
- Place the corn in a very large bowl. Add the tomatoes, jalapeños, cotija cheese, and cilantro to the bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and gently mix all of the ingredients with a large spoon until well combined. Refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavors to blend. Just before serving, gently stir in the diced avocado.
Notes
Nutrition
Post originally published on July 14, 2016.
Is there an alternative for white wine vinegar?
You could use red wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, or even just extra lime juice. 🙂
Hello, are there ways to short cut to make this easier to make on the go while on vacation? As in a premade dressing and canned corn, etc.?
Sure! You could certainly use canned corn and a bottled lime or vinaigrette or Italian dressing as a shortcut on vacation. It's just not going to end up tasting quite the same. 😉
I found this recipe accidentally. My own tomatoes and the best locally grown corn in 3 counties. This will definitely go into the summer rotation. Victoria
This was fantastic! And perfect for a picnic or potluck 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love fresh corn on the cob, but don't usually do anything with it other than cook and eat as is. This salad with all of these vibrant flavors was amazing! 🙂