This charred fresh summer corn salad is everything you want in a summer dish—fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor. It starts with sweet corn, charred to smoky perfection, which brings a delicious depth to every bite. Juicy cherry tomatoes add brightness, while creamy avocado and hearty black beans provide satisfying richness and substance. A touch of finely chopped jalapeño brings just the right amount of heat, balanced beautifully by a zesty lime dressing that ties it all together. Whether you’re serving it as a side at your next barbecue or enjoying it as a light lunch, this salad is a wholesome, colorful celebration of peak-season produce—and it truly captures the essence of summer on a plate.
Easy Summer Salad with Charred Corn, Black Beans & Herbs
This charred corn salad is the perfect harmony of grilled sweetness, vibrant cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, hearty black beans, and a hint of jalapeño heat—all elevated by a refreshing lime dressing. A bright, wholesome dish that embodies the very essence of summer.
Equipment
- 1 cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 3 ears corn kernels cut off the cob
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 avocados cubed
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 jalapeno pepper sliced thin
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 tsp salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- Set a cast iron pan on high heat. Add olive oil to the pan, wait until the oil glimmers and add in corn kernels and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, turning occasionally but allowing the corn to get a nice brown charr. Remove from heat and season with salt.
- Add corn mixture to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool while you prepare the other salad ingredients. Once cooled, add the cherry tomatoes, avocados, black beans, jalapeno pepper, parsley and red onion. Pour over the lime juice and season with salt. Toss, taste and add more salt to taste. Serve immediately.
This is delicious! Everyone was raving about it when I brought it to a potluck yesterday!