Ina Garten’s Fresh Avocado Corn Salad Recipe: Summer’s Best

This vibrant avocado corn salad bursts with summer’s freshest flavors, promising a delightful blend of textures and zesty notes.

Each colorful ingredient contributes a unique character to the dish, dancing together in perfect harmony.

Fresh produce transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences that spark joy at the table.

Creamy avocados mingle with sweet corn kernels, creating a symphony of tastes that tantalize your palate.

The recipe celebrates seasonal ingredients with a playful approach that feels both sophisticated and comfortably approachable.

Bright, crisp vegetables provide a robust foundation for this crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs wonderfully with grilled proteins or stands confidently alone.

Balanced seasonings elevate the salad from simple to sensational, ensuring every forkful delivers maximum deliciousness: Get ready to fall in love with this crowd-pleasing creation!

What Makes Ina’s Avocado Corn Salad So Special

• Burst with Fresh Summer Flavors: This avocado corn salad packs a vibrant punch of seasonal ingredients that dance together with bright, zesty notes from lime and jalapeño, creating a refreshing and exciting taste experience.
• Quick and Easy Prep Method: The recipe requires minimal cooking time, with corn blanched for just 3 minutes and a simple chop-and-mix technique that makes it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated steps.
• Texture Sensation: Creamy avocado chunks blend beautifully with crisp corn kernels and crunchy peppers, delivering a delightful mix of smooth and textured bites that keep every forkful interesting and satisfying.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, or as a side dish, this salad appeals to health-conscious eaters and flavor enthusiasts alike, offering a nutrition-packed meal that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredient Breakdown for Avocado Corn Salad

• Corn: Sweet summer corn with minimal starchiness, best when fresh and in season.
• Avocados: Ripe, creamy avocados that are soft but not mushy, rich in healthy fats.
• Lemon: Fresh citrus to prevent avocado browning and add bright flavor.
• Lime: Adds zesty tang and helps balance the overall dish.
• Jalapeno Peppers: Spicy green peppers for heat and kick.
• Red Peppers: Crisp, colorful peppers for sweet crunch and visual appeal.
• Onions: Sharp, aromatic allium for depth of flavor.
• Tomatoes: Juicy, ripe tomatoes that add freshness and moisture.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Provides warm, earthy background heat.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds extra spicy dimension to the salad.
• Garlic: Pungent, aromatic ingredient for complex flavor.

• Lime Zest: Bright, citrusy notes that elevate the entire dish's flavor.

Avocado Corn Salad Cooking Walkthrough

Step 1: Prepare Corn Kernels

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Submerge corn and cook for 3 minutes until slightly tender. Drain immediately and plunge corn into an ice bath to stop cooking and preserve bright color.

Step 2: Extract Corn Kernels

Once corn has cooled completely, stand each ear vertically on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice kernels away from the cob, allowing them to fall into a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 3: Prepare Creamy Avocado Base

Slice ripe avocados in half and remove pits. Scoop flesh into the bowl with corn kernels. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over avocados to prevent browning and add a zesty brightness.

Step 4: Chop Vibrant Vegetables

• Jalapeno peppers
• Red bell peppers
• Red onions
• Ripe tomatoes

Gently fold these colorful vegetables into the corn and avocado mixture.

Step 5: Create Tangy Dressing

• Fresh lime juice
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Minced garlic
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Step 6: Combine and Chill

Pour the zesty dressing over the salad and toss gently to distribute flavors evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow ingredients to marinate and flavors to meld together. Serve cold and enjoy!

Tips That Make Ina’s Salad Shine

• Maximize Corn Sweetness: Choose fresh, in-season corn for the most vibrant and sweet flavor. Summer months offer the best corn selection with peak ripeness and natural sugars.
• Slice Kernels Like a Pro: Use a sharp knife and a large cutting board to remove kernels safely. Hold the corn vertically and slice downward, catching kernels in a wide bowl to prevent messy scattering.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Chop cilantro or parsley just before adding to the salad to preserve maximum flavor and bright green color. Freshly chopped herbs elevate the entire dish with aromatic complexity.
• Room Temperature Magic: Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together. This resting time helps ingredients blend and develop a more harmonious taste profile.
• Customize Your Crunch: Add toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts for an extra layer of texture and nutty richness. These optional additions transform the salad from simple to spectacular with minimal effort.

Storing Your Avocado Corn Salad the Right Way

• Refrigeration Magic: Seal the salad in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain crispness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Wrap the container tightly with plastic wrap for an extra barrier against air exposure.
• Freshness Hack: Place a slightly damp paper towel over the salad before sealing to keep ingredients hydrated and prevent wilting. This trick helps maintain the salad's vibrant texture and prevents premature browning of avocados.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the salad within 24 hours for the best taste and texture. Corn will stay crisp, avocados remain creamy, and herbs retain their bright flavors when consumed quickly after preparation.

New Ways to Serve Avocado Corn Salad

• Summer Fiesta Corn Salad: Replace jalapeño with roasted green chiles and add black beans for a Southwestern-inspired version that brings zesty Mexican flavors to the table.
• Herb Garden Corn Medley: Incorporate fresh chopped cilantro, dill, and chives to elevate the salad's herbaceous profile and create a more complex, garden-fresh taste.
• Mediterranean Fusion Corn Salad: Swap red onions for crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil for a Greek-inspired interpretation that transforms the original recipe.
• Smoky Corn Companion: Grill the corn kernels before mixing to introduce a deep, charred flavor, and sprinkle with smoked paprika to enhance the overall smokiness of the dish.

End Notes on Avocado Corn Salad Greatness

Corn and avocado salad whispers summer’s essence with Ina Garten’s signature charm.

Garden-fresh ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of flavors.

Zesty lime and spicy jalapeños elevate this simple dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Mediterranean-inspired elements provide a refreshing twist that beckons warm afternoon gatherings.

California’s culinary spirit shines through each colorful bite of this sensational recipe.

When friends gather around this spectacular salad, connections spark and memories bloom – so snap a photo, share your dish, spark conversation, and let deliciousness inspire your next culinary adventure!

Ina Garten Avocado Corn Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s avocado corn salad blends fresh summer ingredients with zesty Mediterranean flair. Fresh corn kernels mingle with creamy avocado, creating a light and flavorful side dish perfect for backyard gatherings and picnic feasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fresh Produce:

• 4 ears of corn, shucked
• 4 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and ½-inch diced
• 2 pints grape tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded and ½-inch diced
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• ¼ cup seeded and minced jalapeno peppers
• 1 lime, zested

Liquids and Oils:

• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 juice of lemon
• ¼ cup good olive oil

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt (amount not specified)

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Instructions

1. Bring a spacious pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then submerge the corn and cook for approximately 3 minutes until the starchy texture begins to soften.
2. Immediately transfer the corn to an ice bath, allowing the kernels to cool rapidly and preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
3. Once the corn has completely cooled, carefully slice the kernels from the cob using a sharp knife, allowing them to fall into a generously sized mixing bowl.
4. Prepare the avocados by mashing them with fresh lemon juice until they reach a creamy consistency, then gently fold them into the corn kernels.
5. Finely dice the jalapeno peppers, red bell peppers, red onions, and ripe tomatoes, adding them to the corn and avocado mixture.
6. Create the dressing by whisking together freshly squeezed lime juice, of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
7. Pour the zesty dressing over the vegetable mixture, carefully tossing to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated and seasoned.
8. Refrigerate the salad for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify before serving chilled.

Notes

• Corn’s Quick Bath: Boil corn kernels for just 3 minutes to lock in sweet flavor and maintain a perfect tender-crisp texture that will make your salad pop with freshness.
• Ice Water Rescue: Plunge boiled corn into an ice bath immediately after cooking to preserve its bright color and stop the cooking process, ensuring crisp and vibrant kernels.
• Avocado Protection Trick: Splash lemon juice over diced avocados to prevent browning and keep them looking bright green, adding a zesty layer of protection and flavor.
• Flavor Fine-Tuning: Sample the salad and adjust seasonings with extra salt, pepper, or lime juice to create a perfectly balanced taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare all ingredients separately and combine just before serving to maintain maximum texture and prevent soggy vegetables from losing their crunch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg