I am flying high in the sky over South Dakota right now, en route to Cincinnati for a weekend at home and my baby shower! While I’m traveling, I hope you enjoy a simple summer recipe that we love in our house.
In my opinion, sometimes the best recipes are the least complicated. In the summer, all I want to eat are berries and salads, making the most of the fresh seasonal produce that I know I will miss so much once the weather changes. Corn is one of those vegetables I look forward to all year long. While of course you can find it year round, nothing compares to the crisp sweet ears you find in August.
This salad is actually raw – no need to cook the corn ahead of time. The lime juice softens it just enough, and combined with avocado and tomatoes, it is just the right mix of textures and flavors. You can eat it with a fork, but I’d say it’s best when scooped with some salty tortilla chips.
Summer Corn and Avocado Salad
Ingredients: (serves 4)
- 4 ears yellow or white corn (uncooked)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 avocados, cubed
- salt, to taste
Instructions: First off, I’m going to show you a trick. Have you ever tried cutting corn off the cob and had the kernels bounce and fly everywhere? I’m going to save you from having that happen again. Take a small bowl and turn it upside down inside a larger bowl, like so…
Then prop the corn up on the base of the small bowl and being to carefully cut the kernels off using a sharp knife.
The large bowl catches all the runaway kernels, while the small bowl props the ear of corn up high enough that you can cut all the way to the bottom without the loose corn getting in the way.
Viola! Don’t say I never taught you anything. Cut all four ears of corn into a large mixing bowl.
Slice the grape tomatoes lengthwise, and add to the bowl with the corn.
For a little bit of an herby punch, chop 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and add to the salad.
Toss veggies with the juice of one lime and a few pinches of salt to taste. Allow flavors to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Before serving, dice avocados and combine with the rest of the salad. You won’t want to add these until you are close to meal time, or else the avocados will brown.
Mix it all and adjust seasoning to taste, then serve!
It is so simple and easy to make, and it’s amazing how something as light at lime juice can really bring so much flavor into a fresh vegetable salad.
Serve as a side dish on taco night, or just enjoy it straight out of the bowl with tortilla chips.
My favorite foods are always scooped.
Enjoy!
76 Comments so far
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Have fun in Cincinnati! I agree- I think the best recipes are the simple ones :)
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GREAT tip for the corn! I just cut some off the cob tonight, and it went EVERYWHERE! Definitely doing that next time!
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I love no-cook dishes! This looks so fresh!
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That is so simple! But it sounds so very good.
I definitely want to try this one :)
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yum yum yum. i LOVE corn in the summer, and avocado can do no wrong in my eyes. looks great!
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This is a must make. Looking at the dish, I wouldn’t have thought it was that simple to make. Thanks for the tip too!
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This is almost exactly the same as a recipe I found in Real Simple YEARS ago. It was one of my all-time favorite salads! This reminds me how much I love the corn, avocado, tomato, lime juice combo. :) I need to make one of these salads before summer ends!
Hope you have a great trip!
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This is right up my alley! All my fave foods and super easy to make!*
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Yum! Simple, but exactly the kind of thing I’m craving this very instant.
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I love how many meals can be called “salad” :P This looks delicious! Anything with lime + cilantro is A+ in my book.
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This looks so refreshing and delicious. And I love the idea of scooping it with tortilla chips! Thanks for sharing!
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I make this recipe with black beans instead of avocado. I add some homemade Italian dressing as well to give it a kick! I’m with you on the fresh and raw salads for the summer :)
Have fun at the baby shower!
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Chelsey Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 11:12 am
Glad to hear that black beans make a good substitution! My husband is allergic to avocados, and this salad looks so delicious, i’m glad we can still enjoy it with a simple switch:)
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Shanna Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Thanks! I was just going to ask what a good sub would be for avocado. Good thing I read the comments!
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Ooh, yum! I can’t wait for the corn in our garden to ripen!
Happy baby shower!
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I seriously JUST asked that question about how to keep the kernels from flying everywhere on another blog with corn in the recipe! You read my mind :) I always used the big bowl but never thought to invert a small one inside. Genius!
Have fun at home!
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I made this salad last week, it was really good!
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That looks so good, and so easy! Thanks for the corn cutting tip.
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I love how milky and sweet corn is when it’s fresh. YUM, this looks aahhhhhhhhhhmazing :)
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Ooh! This looks fantastic. I have a couple of fairly relaxed evenings with friends coming up so I’m definitely going to make this to share with tortilla chips!
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i love colorful salads! that looks so tasty and refreshing!
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This looks fantastic! There is nothing like fresh summer corn that requires no cooking.
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I’m also from Ohio (Dayton) and I miss it as well!! Can’t wait to hear about all the fun you have there. I’m going to try your vegan broccoli cheese bake today. I love your recipes!
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Have fun at home!
What a great recipe, and I’m glad you share the tip about the kernels!
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This recipe looks delicious! I love corn and avocados so putting them together in a salad is perfect! :) Have fun at your baby shower!!
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I can’t wait to try this recipe! It looks so good!
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I LOVE raw corn and I have so many tomatoes to use from my garden. That said, I will be making this tonight. Thanks!
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This looks so good, I can’t wait to try it this weekend! I’ve been loving your blog since I found it in May after finishing my 1st half marathon (Flying Pig, I live in Cincy!). Anyhow I hope you have a wonderful time while you’re home. You should check out Orange Leaf in Kenwood if you haven’t already, great fro-yo.
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Oh my god, going to make right. now. with corn and tomatoes from our own garden! it sounds amazing and I’ve been getting a little bored with the same ole’ cucumber-tomato salads.
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This looks SO good, Emily! I love raw corn and prefer to eat it that way, actually, and mixed with all these other tasty foods it looks like a healthy and delicious summer treat. Thanks for sharing!
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Oh this looks delicious! Enjoy your weekend at home and your baby shower!!
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You are a corn life saver! One of my girlfriends just gave us some corn and now I don’t have to use my body as a corn deflecter when I cut the kernels! Thanks! Looking forward to making this for the weekend!
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Oh, this looks delicious!! I cannot WAIT to try this. You’re right- the best things are scooped!
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Yum that looks so delish! And love the corn cutting tip :)
Have fun at your baby shower and I can’t wait to read the recap of it! :)
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I wish I had read this about an hour earlier! I just made something similar but didn’t think about adding lime. I used some jarred salsa as a ‘salad dressing’, but I think lime juice really would have knocked it out of the park. Bummer.
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I wish I had this corn cutting tip a few days ago. I had corn flying all over the place!!!!
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Oh this looks right up my alley! Will be making this on the weekend for our BBQ. Whooo!!
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YUM! This looks fantastic. :) I must try this.
Have fun at your Baby Shower! I’m heading home to Cincinnati next weekend for my Bridal Shower haha!
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That looks delicious!
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Yum, this looks so fresh and summery and would be pretty easy to pack for a quick work lunch. I’m actually making your broccoli ‘cheese’ casserole for lunch today. This may be next on the list.
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LOVE the corn cutting tip! I love fresh salads like this in the summer.
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Looks delicious! I think I’ll try it this weekend. :)
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I thought it was cool that my local grocery chain Heinen’s in Ohio linked to this post on your blog today. :-)
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Hope you have a great babyshower and fun at home! I just made this after a super tough workout at the gym… needless to say it didn’t get the requisite 30 mins in the fridge but was amazing just the same. Thanks for such a simple but great tasting recipe.
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Looks SO good, and I just happen to have everything on hand.. might add some red onion too!
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I am DEFINITELY making this with my CSA veggies this week. In fact, I think I will get all of the ingredients (except for the avocado and lime juice) on my Tuesday pick up. Thanks for the simple inspiration! Have a wonderful baby shower.
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Oh my goodness I made this tonight and it was delish! My husband and his friend wolfed it down too :) Thanks for the awesome idea.
I ended up mixing mine with quinoa and black beans and it was a perfect meal :)
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I love this simple, summer recipe :) Have a safe trip and fun in Cincy!
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Now I’m sad tomatoes and corn are out of season at my farmer’s market! :( Looks delicious though – perfect dish for the baby shower I’m heading to today!
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This looks delicious– a perfect end of summer salad!
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Oh my, that looks good. My dad would have been heartbroken over the “yellow or white corn” ingredient. He is so serious in his love of fresh, tiny-kernelled white corn.
And Emily, I think we can all agree that we would NEVER say you haven’t taught us anything. :p Enjoy your baby shower!!!
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This looks delicious! I’m loving corn right now!
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i am totally making this. like today. i have basket of cherry tomatoes and a farm stand that sells corn down the street, my corn isn’t ready yet!
:)
jen
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what a great trick!! thanks for sharing, this is such a simple yet helpful tip :)
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I made this last night, and my husband and I both LOVED it!! Thank you for sharing. :)
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I made this last night and my husband and I both LOVED it! Thanks for sharing. :)
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This looks amazing! I’m so in love with corn salads and tortilla chips. I’ll have to try this super soon.
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Thanks for the recipe, Emily! I made it for dinner tonight and loved how fresh and easy it was. I’m definitely adding this to the rotation. Thanks for the tip too, very useful!
Happy baby shower! Hope you enjoyed your time at home.
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This looks so fresh and wonderful.
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I’ve been making this salad since the corn first appeared at our farmer’s market, but now I know how to keep the corn kernels from escaping all over my counter. Thank you!
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That salad looks delicious and so easy! Thanks for sharing!
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I tried this last night, and loved it! I made a few modifications- I blanched the corn for a minute, and I added in crushed garlic and pepper. Yum! Thanks for s great, easy recipe!
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I made this last night for a pre-concert, triple-date bbq with some great friends and it turned out AMAZING! I only wished I had made a double batch because it was gone in 10 minutes. I added a little garlic powder and black pepper for an additional flavor kick. Thanks so much for posting such a simple, healthy recipe!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 15th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Glad it was a hit!
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Thanks so much for this lovely recipe! I tried it this weekend for a get together and it was quite a hit. I thought generally corn was better cooked, but this ensemble worked well.
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Here’s a tip for keeping the avocado bright colored: when you cube up the fruit, immediately sprinkle and mix with some additional lime juice. The acid will keep the avocado from oxidizing (turning brown). When I brought this to a party, I added the limed avocado to the mix before I left home. Even after a 1 hr. car ride, the green color was bright.
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Hi Emily! I just wanted to tell you that I made this salad last night and it was a HUGE hit! I served it with whole wheat tortilla chips and steak on the side for a new spin on taco night. This is definitely going to be repeat. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
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Man, this looks great! If it’s anywhere near as good as the quinoa salad, I know it’ll be on our regular meal rotation in the near future. Can’t wait to try it out…
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I’m going to make this tonight, but does anyone know about leftovers? I’m worried about the lime juice overcooking the corn (does that make sense?). I know not to add the avocado until I’m ready to eat, but should I wait to add the lime juice too?
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Can’t wait to try this recipe…I love avocados :)
Thanks for sharing :)
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I just posted your recipe on SparkPeople after trying and and falling totally in LOVE with it. Unfortunately, I’d forgotten where I found the recipe and so I didn’t give you credit. With your kind permission, I’ll now post it on my blog and credit you as the source.
My apologies for my rotten memory, and my congratulations on your creation – it was DELICIOUS!
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This looks delicious! What a perfect August side dish!
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This was so good! I’m going out tomorrow to get more corn just so I can make more!! Thanks!
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Emily Malone Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Glad you liked it! :)
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[...] Salad recipe was posted a few weeks back by Emily Malone at Daily Garnish. You can see the recipe here, and I encourage you to try it. This was so tasty I ate it in a myriad of ways for three days. [...]
Emily, Just wanted to let you know that I made this and loved it, my aunt made it twice and loved it and my mom has served it to her book club and at a potluck at work. Everyone has loved it! Thanks a lot, great one!
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