Grilled Corn Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing

Grilled Corn Avocado Salad Summer Side Dish Perfection

By Mateo GarciaSeptember 15, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Fancy something fresh for your BBQ? Ever wondered what the best summer salads are? Let's dive in. This Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing recipe is sunshine on a plate.

You'll find it among the easy side dish recipes that elevate any meal.

A Little Bit About This Salad

This is not just any salad. It's inspired by Mexican side dishes and BBQ side dishes . It combines the sweetness of grilled corn with creamy avocado.

The cilantro lime dressing ties it all together. Think summer potluck dishes and party side dishes ! It is an easy salad to make-ahead salad .

This recipe is super easy. It takes about 25- 27 minutes total. This yields 4-6 servings. It's practically foolproof.

Why You'll Love This Grilled Corn Salad

Honestly, this salad is addictive! It is a healthy side dish recipe . Avocado gives you good fats. Corn provides fiber.

The lime dressing recipe is light and zesty. It's perfect for serving at any summer gathering. It's also great as a vegetarian side dishes or even gluten-free side dishes .

You can also try it as a corn avocado salsa .

Plus, what makes this recipe really special is the grilled corn. Grilling the corn adds a lovely smoky flavour. This brings out the sweetness.

It's a game changer. Let’s move on to the ingredients!

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Started!

This grilled corn salad is all about fresh, simple ingredients. Honestly, it's so easy it almost feels like cheating. But trust me, the flavour is anything but basic.

It’s a perfect summer side dish , especially if you’re planning some BBQ side dishes .

Main Ingredients for Sunshine on a Plate

Corn: You'll need 4 ears of fresh corn, shucked. That's about 600g . Go for corn with bright green husks. The kernels should be plump and milky. Avoid corn with dry or discolored husks.
Avocado: Grab 2 ripe avocados (around 400g ), pitted and diced. They need to be ripe, but not mushy. A little give when you gently squeeze them is perfect.
Red Bell Pepper: One red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced. That would be around 150g .
Red Onion: You'll need 1/2 of a red onion, thinly sliced (approx. 50g ).
Cilantro: Grab 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, which is about 5g . Some people hate cilantro, I know, I know.
Jalapeño: If you like heat, add 1 jalapeño pepper , seeded and minced. It's around 5-10g , but this is optional.

Dressing Notes: The Zesty Secret

We need a lime dressing recipe here. This is where the magic happens. This simple salad dressing will transform your salad.

Lime Juice: 1/4 cup ( 60ml ) of fresh lime juice. Freshly squeezed is always best.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons ( 30ml ) of olive oil.
Honey: 1 tablespoon ( 20g ) of honey. For a vegan option, swap to agave.
Cumin: 1/2 teaspoon ( 2g ) of ground cumin. It adds warmth and depth.
Chilli Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon ( 1g ) of chilli flakes. Only if you want a kick!
Salt and Pepper: To taste. Don’t be shy, season generously.

If you need any substitutions, using lemon in place of lime in the dressing, or swapping parsley for cilantro will give you nice summer salad recipes .

If you are following a vegetarian side dishes lifestyle, simply swap the honey for agave nectar. For a gluten-free side dishes , make sure to double check ingredients labels to guarantee that it is 100% gluten-free.

You might be able to label it as a healthy side dish recipe depending of the olive oil and honey used.

Equipment: Keep It Simple

You really don't need much gear for this easy side dish recipe .

Grill: To grill the corn. A grill pan works too. Aim for a medium high heat, around 375° F ( 190° C) .
Large Bowl: To toss everything together.
Small Bowl/Jar: For mixing the dressing.
Knife and Cutting Board: Obvious, really.

Honestly, this is a quick salad recipe . With all these great summer potluck dishes choices, your friends and family won't be disappointed!.

Plus you can make-ahead salad and chill it. Making it perfect party side dishes or even as a Mexican side dishes if you had black beans and some cotija cheese.

Think about this salad as a corn avocado salsa , and you're on the right way. Enjoy!

Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad: Prep Like a Pro

Alright, let's talk prep! Proper mise en place is key. Honestly, chopping everything beforehand saves so much time. You know when you're juggling a hot grill and a blunt knife? Avoid that stress.

Essential mise en place means dicing your red pepper, slicing the red onion thinly, and chopping the cilantro. Get those avocados ready too, but don’t dice them until just before assembling the salad to prevent browning.

Speaking of avocados, a quick tip: pit them and give them a squirt of lime juice! It will keep them fresh longer. This avocado salad recipe is all about fresh ingredients!

Cooking Like a Boss: step-by-step

Get your grill screaming hot to medium high heat .
Grill the corn for about 10- 12 minutes . Turn it now and then, until the kernels get a lovely char. That smoky flavour is the best !
Let the corn cool a bit. Then, slice off those kernels.
In a large bowl, toss the corn with the diced avocado, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and the jalapeno (if you are feeling brave). This is your salad base.
Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, chilli flakes, salt, and pepper for your killer lime dressing recipe .
Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss gently. This is a crucial step taste, taste, taste! Adjust the seasoning.
Serve this easy side dish recipe immediately! Or, chill it for later.

Pro-Level Moves: Level up your Game

Want to really impress? Brush the corn with a little melted butter before grilling. It adds a lovely richness. Make the make-ahead salad dressing a day in advance! The flavours get better over time.

Just store it in the fridge.

A common mistake? Overcooking the corn. You want it slightly charred, not burnt to a crisp. Another mistake is using underripe avocados.

You want them ripe, but still firm. This helps you avoid mush! Looking for a healthy side dish recipe ? This is it! Packed with veggies and healthy fats.

This salad is the star of any summer potluck dishes .

Recipe Notes: Nailing Your Summer Side Dishes

Honestly, this grilled corn salad is pretty forgiving. But, let's chat about a few things to make it amazing .

Serving Up Sunshine

Presentation is key, you know? I love piling this avocado salad recipe high on a platter. Think vibrant colours! It just screams "summer party".

For sides, this goes great with anything BBQ'd. A classic burger or some grilled fish. I also think it's one of the best summer salads to serve with a crisp white wine or a cold beer.

It is also one of the easy side dish recipes to take for summer potluck dishes too.

Storing the Goodness

Got leftovers? No worries! This healthy side dish recipe keeps well.

Fridge: Pop it in an airtight container and it'll last for 2-3 days .
Freezing: I don't recommend freezing this, the avocado gets a bit sad and mushy. Nobody wants sad avocado!
Reheating: Just give it a good stir. It's best served cold or at room temperature. No reheating needed!

Remixing Your Salad

Want to mix things up? Go for it! Honestly, I do this all the time .

Vegan Vibes: Swap the honey in the lime dressing recipe for maple syrup. Done!
Spicy Situation: Add a pinch more chilli flakes to the cilantro lime dressing , or a dash of hot sauce for a proper kick. I think a Chipotle adds to the Mexican side dishes
Seasonal Swap: If corn's not in season, use grilled courgette (zucchini) instead. Just as yummy! Grilling the zucchini would also turn it into one of the grilled vegetable recipes .

Nutrition Nuggets

This quick salad recipe is more than just tasty, it's good for you too!

It's packed with healthy fats from the avocado.
Plus, you get fibre from the corn and veggies.
Bonus points for vitamin C from the lime dressing recipe too.

Basically, this corn avocado salsa is a win-win. It's delicious, easy, and good for you. So, get grilling, get chopping, and enjoy one of the best summer side dishes around.

Don't forget this is a great make-ahead salad for any occasion or event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad ahead of time? I'm a busy bee like, well, everyone!

You can definitely prep some components in advance! The lime dressing can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. However, it's best to add the avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning. No one wants a sad, brown avocado on their plate, do they?

What are some good variations for this summer side dishes recipe? I fancy myself a bit of a culinary explorer!

This salad is super versatile! For a spicier kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing. If you're going for a vegan version, swap the honey for agave nectar or maple syrup. A Mexican twist with black beans and crumbled Cotija cheese is also amazing. Get creative it's your kitchen, your rules!

How long will the Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad last in the fridge? Will it still be alright for lunch tomorrow?

While it's best served fresh, this salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind the avocado may brown slightly, even with the lime juice. Give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and freshen it up a bit.

I don't have a grill. Can I still make this? I'm more of an indoor cat myself!

Absolutely! If you don't have a grill, you can use a grill pan on your stovetop to char the corn. Alternatively, you can roast the corn in the oven at 200°C (400°F) until it's tender and slightly browned. You can even just boil or steam the corn, though you'll miss out on that lovely smoky flavour.

It will still taste amazing!

What nutritional benefits does this Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad offer? Apart from being totally delicious, of course!

This salad is packed with goodness! Avocado provides healthy fats, fibre, and potassium. Corn is a good source of carbohydrates and antioxidants. Plus, the lime dressing adds a boost of vitamin C. It's a delicious and relatively healthy way to enjoy your summer BBQ!

I'm allergic to cilantro (coriander). What's a good substitute in these summer side dishes?

No worries, cilantro isn't everyone's cup of tea! A great substitute is fresh parsley. While it won't give you exactly the same distinct flavour, it will still add a fresh, herbaceous note to the salad. You could also try using a little fresh mint for a different, but equally delicious, twist. The world is your oyster!