Avocado Corn Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Avocado Corn Salad combining sweet fresh corn, creamy avocado, crunchy bell pepper, and black beans, all tossed in a zesty, smoky dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or summer picnic option that takes just 15 minutes to prepare and serves 4.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked corn (about 3 medium/large ears of corn)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 avocados, diced (not overly ripe)
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
- 4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for dressing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Corn: If using frozen corn, thaw according to package instructions. For fresh corn on the cob, peel and shuck the ears. Stand the cob vertically on a non-slip cutting board and carefully slice the kernels downward with a sharp knife. Separate kernels gently if clumped.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, chopped cilantro, honey, and fresh lime juice. Whisk to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chop Salad Ingredients: Dice the red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and jalapeño (if using) into bite-sized, uniform pieces. Chop the remaining fresh cilantro.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, add the cooked corn kernels, diced bell pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeño, avocado, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste and texture. It can also be chilled briefly to meld flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh corn for the best crunch and sweetness; frozen corn is a convenient alternative.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño based on your heat preference or omit entirely for a milder salad.
- Honey in the dressing can be substituted with agave syrup or maple syrup for vegan option.
- For added protein, consider topping with grilled chicken or feta cheese (not included in original recipe).
- Best served fresh; avocado may brown if left too long after slicing, so prepare close to serving time.
