Okay, so Memorial Day is right around the corner, and you KNOW what that means! It means BBQs, sunshine, and of course, lots of amazing food. My absolute go-to, the dish that disappears faster than you can say ‘parade,’ is this incredible Zesty Avocado Corn Salad Memorial Day Favorite Recipe. Seriously, it’s so refreshing, packed with flavor, and ridiculously easy to whip up. I remember last year, my cousin Sarah brought it, and everyone was raving so much that we practically ate the whole bowl before the burgers were even done!

Why This Zesty Avocado Corn Salad is a Memorial Day Favorite

Okay, so you want to know what makes this Zesty Avocado Corn Salad my absolute go-to for Memorial Day and pretty much *any* summer get-together? Let me tell you! First off, just LOOK at it. The vibrant colors – that bright yellow corn, creamy green avocado, and pops of red onion and green cilantro – it’s like a party in a bowl! And the taste? It’s so light and zesty, with that fresh lime cutting through everything. It’s the perfect side dish that doesn’t weigh you down, you know? It’s fantastic next to juicy burgers and grilled chicken, but honestly, it’s so good I could just eat it with a fork all by itself. Plus, packing it up for a picnic or a potluck is a breeze. It’s a real crowd-pleaser, for sure. It’s truly the ultimate Zesty Avocado Corn Salad Memorial Day Favorite Recipe! It’s almost as popular as some of those pasta dishes around here!

Gather Your Ingredients for Zesty Avocado Corn Salad

Alright, let’s get this party started with what you’ll need for this amazing salad! The beauty of this Zesty Avocado Corn Salad Memorial Day Favorite Recipe is that the ingredients are super simple and fresh. You’ll want about 2 cups of corn kernels – I like to use frozen and just thaw them out, easy peasy! Then, grab one perfectly ripe avocado and dice it up into little yummy cubes. Make sure it’s not *too* soft, or it’ll get mushy!

You’ll also need half a red onion, chopped up nice and fine because nobody likes huge chunks of raw onion, right? And for that fresh flavor, about a quarter cup of chopped cilantro is a must. If you like a little kick, grab a jalapeño, seed it, and mince it up – totally optional, but I love it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Zesty Avocado Corn Salad

Okay, so making this amazing Zesty Avocado Corn Salad Memorial Day Favorite Recipe is seriously a no-brainer! It’s so simple, you’ll have it ready in a flash. First things first: grab a nice medium-sized bowl. Toss in your corn kernels, those beautiful diced avocados, the finely chopped red onion, your fresh cilantro, and that optional minced jalapeño if you’re feeling brave!

Now, while all those goodies are hanging out in the bowl, let’s whip up the dressing. In a *separate*, smaller bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This is where all the magic flavor dust comes from! Give it a good swirl until it’s all combined – it’ll smell so fresh!

Carefully pour that zesty dressing over everything in the big bowl. The super important part now is to be gentle! Use a spatula or a big spoon to *gently* toss everything together. We want to coat everything nicely without turning our lovely avocado into mush, you know? Once it all looks coated and yummy, you’re pretty much done! You can serve it right away, and trust me, it’s fantastic that way. Or, if you want the flavors to meld together even more, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. It’s also super good served alongside some simple pasta, or just straight out of the bowl!

Tips for the Ultimate Zesty Avocado Corn Salad

Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe down for this amazing Zesty Avocado Corn Salad Memorial Day Favorite Recipe, but let me give you a few little tricks I’ve picked up to make it absolutely spectacular. First off, remember that jalapeño? If you want it spicier, like, *really* bring the heat, don’t be afraid to leave a few of those seeds in there. Just a tiny bit goes a long way! And for the herbs, cilantro is my jam, but if you’re not a fan, fresh parsley or even a little bit of mint can be surprisingly delicious. Thinking about spice makes me crave some warm jalapeño cornbread!

Here’s my personal secret: I sometimes add a handful of black beans or a few halved cherry tomatoes right at the end. It just adds another layer of flavor and makes it even heartier. Oh, and for that avocado? To keep it from browning too much if you’re making it a bit ahead, make sure your lime juice is nice and fresh, and toss *gently* right before serving. It really helps! This salad is just so forgiving and fun to play with!

Variations to Your Zesty Avocado Corn Salad

This Zesty Avocado Corn Salad is already pretty amazing, but honestly, the fun part is making it all your own! If you want to turn this side dish into a main event, try tossing in some grilled chicken or shrimp. It’s so good with the zesty flavors! I also love adding a cup of rinsed and drained black beans for extra protein and texture – it makes it feel so much heartier, almost like a little taste of those ground beef recipes, but way lighter!

Don’t feel limited to just yellow corn, either! Sometimes I use a mix of corn and some roasted sweet corn if I have some leftover, or even some kernels from a red or white corn cob for extra color. And oh my gosh, a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese or even some feta cheese on top? Chef’s kiss! It adds this perfect salty little bite that just makes everything sing. It’s all about playing around and finding what makes *your* taste buds happy!

Make-Ahead and Storage for Your Memorial Day Favorite

So, you wanna prep this Zesty Avocado Corn Salad ahead of time for your big Memorial Day bash? I get it! You can totally do most of the work beforehand. Just go ahead and chop your corn, red onion, and cilantro. Mix up that zesty lime dressing in a separate container. The trickiest part? The avocado! It’s best to dice and add that right before you’re ready to serve, otherwise, it can get a bit brown and sad. If you *have* to do it earlier, make sure to toss it with extra lime juice and cover it tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it right onto the surface so there’s no air.

To store any leftovers, just pop them into an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge, and it should be good for a day or two. But honestly, this salad is most glorious when it’s fresh, so try to make it as close to serving time as possible for the best flavor and texture!

Frequently Asked Questions about Zesty Avocado Corn Salad

You’ve got questions about this amazing Zesty Avocado Corn Salad Memorial Day Favorite Recipe? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things people often ask:

Can I use canned corn?

Absolutely! While fresh or frozen corn gives you the best flavor and texture, drained canned corn works in a pinch. Just make sure to rinse it well to get rid of that metallic taste. It’s still a super tasty zesty salad!

How long does the salad last?

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, especially because of the avocado. If you’ve got leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s usually good for about 1-2 days, but give it a good stir before serving again. Pro tip: adding any avocado right before you dig in is always best!

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a little kick if you add the jalapeño, but it’s totally optional! If you leave the jalapeño out, it’s not spicy at all – just bright and zesty from the lime. If you *do* want it spicier, you can use the whole jalapeño, seeds and all, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It’s a really versatile summer salad.

Can I make it vegan?

Good news! This zesty salad is already vegan-friendly! All the ingredients are plant-based. Just double-check your other additions if you go straying from the basic recipe. It’s a wonderful vegetarian recipe, and super easy to keep vegan!

How can I keep the avocado from browning?

The key is acid! Make sure to toss your diced avocado with plenty of lime juice. Also, if you’re prepping ahead, add the avocado last and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the salad to minimize air contact. It’s a little trick that really helps keep everything looking fresh and green. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, this is a rough idea of what you’re getting, calorie-wise! Since we all use different brands and maybe tweak things a bit, the exact numbers can wiggle. But generally, a serving of this colorful Zesty Avocado Corn Salad has about 200 calories. You’re looking at around 12g of fat (with about 2g being saturated), 20g of carbs, and 7g of fiber. Plus, about 4g of protein. Happy healthy eating!

Zesty Avocado Corn Salad

Author: faironplay.com
Total Time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and flavorful salad perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
1 ripe avocado, diced
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine corn kernels, diced avocado, chopped red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using).
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
Gently toss to combine.
Serve immediately or chill for later.

Notes

For a spicier salad, leave some seeds in the jalapeño.
You can add black beans or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
This salad is best served fresh.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Salad
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 200
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: avocado corn salad, zesty salad, summer salad, picnic salad, side dish, vegetarian recipe, easy salad