Give summer a final hurrah with this Summer Harvest salad, bursting with fresh California Avocados, juicy tomatoes and grilled sweet corn.
It’s that time of year where if you are un-like me, you have garden abundance. Tomatoes, sweet corn, basil, and so much more coming out your ears.
I say unlike me because I can not keep a garden, or even a house plant, alive to save my life. In fact, I’m probably pretty lucky that I’ve been able to keep my children thriving considering my history with house plants. If there is such a thing as a black thumb, I’ve got it.
Luckily I have awesome neighbors who have back yards lush with growth…gardens with fruit and vegetables a plenty and they share. Yes! They grow enough stuff that they have more than plenty to share! That amazes me. Every time I’ve grown something I’ve had to pluck the one little fruit of my labor off the plant and hoard it just in case there was no more… usually, there was no more.
So this time of year, I always think about the end of summer and those last bucket loads of garden abundance that come our way. When Labor Day comes around, I like to give those ingredients a grand hurrah. One last chance to put to bed the fine flavors of summer and to look ahead at the more comforting flavors of fall.
And although we eat California Avocados all year round, avocados just speak summer to me… so adding them to our “grand hurrah” meal just makes sense.
This Summer Harvest Salad is loaded with the abundant produce of summer. From juicy grape tomatoes, bursting with flavor, to fresh, creamy California Avocados and of course, grilled sweet corn, this is summer in a bowl. What better way to say goodbye to one of my favorite times of the year and to welcome a new season of abundance? Enjoy!
Summer Harvest Salad - Tomatoes, Grilled Corn and Avocados
Ingredients
- 2 California Avocados chopped
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 ears of grilled sweet corn kernels removed and cob thrown away
- 2 Tablespoons fresh Basil chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter not margarine, melted
- 1 pinch Kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place California Avocados, grape tomatoes, sweet corn kernels and basil in a medium bowl. Gently toss.
- Drizzle butter and lime juice over salad, gently toss again.
- Sprinkle with Kosher salt and pepper to taste.
- For best flavor and freshness, serve immediately.
Disclosure: I am honored to be a paid brand ambassador for California Avocados. All opinions expressed are my own!
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
This is gorgeous! I love this kind of salad, and the corn just makes it. Perfect for end of summer barbecues.
Kristen says
I love it too – it’s so easy and just so delicious! Thanks for your kind comment, Anna!
JulieD says
So beautiful, Kristen! This feels like summer in a bowl! I love it! 🙂
Kristen says
Thanks Julie! I’ll admit after I was done taking pictures, I sat down and gobbled a lot of this up. It’s so good – not worth saving for other people in the family to enjoy. I want it all for myself!
JulieD says
Haha, I think I would have done the same thing!!
Naomi says
Question? What are the gorgeous purple / black leaf beauties? Sounds delic! If I took out the corn, it would even be paleo (and swap the butter for ghee) ! Kristen for the win!!
Kristen says
That’s just purple basil. Isn’t it gorgeous? 🙂 Did you get your run in today? 😉
Naomi says
no (she says sheepishly). I opted for relationship building as opposed to training. Had a mom over for a glass of wine … her daughter stayed for a sleepover. I’ve got my alarm set for super early to get some time in … better to start the day off with a run vs trying to squeeze it in at the last minute.
Kristen says
Relationship building always gets my vote! Plus, it’s not good for your body to run every other day. You should have a day of strength training or rest in between each run. 🙂
Naomi says
I knew I liked you for a reason 🙂 I am certain it will be easier to get my run time in once school starts. The littlest little gets up at crack-o-dawn each morning which buzzkills THAT opportunity … by the time it cools off again here in Florida, it’s wine-o-clock! Thanks for motivation …. I’ll check in tomorrow!
Tieghan says
BEst summer salad around!! Avocados make everything better, I love them!
Kristen says
Yes indeed they do! Thanks for your comment Tieghan! I hope you are enjoying the last few days of summer 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Not only does this dish look delicious, but it’s stunning. Yum!
Kristen says
Thank you – I may have eating 99% of it. Surely it’s not too bad for me, right? 😉 I couldn’t stop!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I made an avocado corn salsa yesterday with black beans and couldn’t stop eating it!! I love this time of year and how fresh everything tastes!!
Kristen says
Oh I do to – and I often eat salsa like that with a spoon! So even better, right? 🙂
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This looks fabulous!! I’m definitely going to give it a try!
Kristen says
Thanks so much, Katrina. I hope you will!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
What a perfect salad..all my favorites! I’m like you, I can’t keep anything alive..and also like you I have green-thumby friends who love to share 🙂
Kristen says
I did find an accidental basil plant flourishing in an old pot this summer. It was huge – and then I found it and it died. I’ve got GREAT luck 😉
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says
This post made me sad and happy, all at once. Sad to see the summer go. Very, very sad about that. But, happy to think of a new season of abundance. Fall is around the corner, and it always brings so many blessings and fun, family moments, too. Thank you for that little reminder this morning. Love you!
Kristen says
You know how I feel about this – I am so very sad summer is almost over… or that school is starting. But I love Fall too!
Sheila says
Avocados are always the cherry on the top of any salad for me! This one looks so good.
Kristen says
I was just thinking I should have added bacon! Now that would have been the whipped cream!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
This salad sounds so fresh and fantastic! And so colorful! I love it!
I don’t have a green thumb either…every single time Ive tried to grow something, it fails. I wish I had an overabundance of garden fresh veggies like your neighbors!!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
Oh wow – avocados, corn AND tomatoes! Yum! such a refreshing and filling salad – no sharing this salad 😉
cassie says
I did a very similar salad for the 4th of July and it was gone so fast. These flavors can’t be beat for summer. Definitely a great way to use up the last of that summer produce. I love it!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Oh how I wish this kind of salad could be available all year long. But there’s just nothing like the fresh sweet produce this time of year. Love, love, love.
Heather says
Mmmmmm…what a beautiful way to say “see ya!” to summer! All of the colors and flavors in one bowl – yes please!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
This salad has everything we love about summer veggies! I need to hurry up and enjoy it while it’s still here!
Mique says
This looks so so good Kristen! All of my favorite things in a bowl. Yum! I can’t wait to make it.
Sara says
Wow, Kristen! Your photos are amazing and the fresh summer salad looks so delicious! Like you… I am super fortunate that my mom and brother both share their organic garden produce with me! I’m scared to grow veggies in the mountains for fear it will attract bears & coyotes! Ha!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
I can’t keep house plants alive either and usually the bugs eat all of my vegetables. We are clearly doing something wrong.
This salad is gorgeous and perfect for this weather.
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
I need to grill up some corn. I love this salad, so many fresh summer flavors! It already feels like fall here, unfortunately 🙁
Rebecca Cooper says
This look delicious!! 🙂
Kristen says
Thanks Rebecca – it was one of my favorite things I’ve made recently!
TidyMom says
I made a very similar salad a few weeks ago and ate almost the whole thing myself in one day!! Your pictures are just GORGEOUS K!! LOVE everything about this!
Kristen says
I will admit to eating the whole thing myself… then making a second batch to share!
Maria says
This salad screams summer! Love it!
Kristen says
Doesn’t it? That’s what I love so much about it! Thanks 🙂
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
Yum! I love that you used the black (purple basil). I grew it for the 1st time this year, actually around my mail box! It looks tropical. I love it. It is such a mild and less bitter taste.
Kristen says
This was my first time using it and I agree – it had such a great flavor… perfect for this salad!
carolinaheartstrings says
This salad looks fantastic. I cannot wait to make this for my work day lunch!
Kristen says
I can’t wait to make it again – it made me really happy to eat it 🙂
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
All the best of summer in one lovely salad! And I love how simply you dressed it with the lime juice and butter. Perfect!
Lyndsay Renée says
The grilled corn and avocado speak to me from this recipe and the entire recipe makes me want to go make this right now! Like you however I will have to reap the bounty of my daughters garden as all I can grow for some reason is Rhubarb and and wild raspberries! You grow lovely recipes Kristen!
Cookin' Canuck says
You have to love generous neighbors who are also good gardeners. What a beautiful salad this is, Kristen – perfect for showing off all of the wonderful vegetables of summer.
Rachel Cooks says
Summer in a bowl. Love this. I bet grilling the corn adds such fantastic flavor.
kellypea says
Just seeing this salad makes me want one myself. I love avocados and always have at least one in my kitchen because life just isn’t the same without them :D. I’ll have to try the basil in the mix. I usually use cilantro. Sounds so delish!
Shawn@ I Wash You Dry says
This looks absolutely fantastic Kristen! I love all these ingredients, and they pair so well together. Yummy!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Love all the flavors in this salad. I can’t get enough corn lately. Adding this to my list : )
Annalise says
Loving everything about this recipe!
Diane {Created by Diane} says
This screams summer and I lOVE it!
Glory/ Glorious Treats says
OOH, I just love fresh salads like this! Looks so delicious!
capturing joy with kristen duke says
That sounds amazing!!! Pinning!
Amanda says
I am loving this beautiful dish. Your photography is beyond gorgeous… and the ingredients are my FAVS!! My family will be thanking you for bringing some variety to their lives… I tend to make the same stuff over and over. 🙂
Emily Rainbow Delicious says
Great salad recipe! My family and I loved it and I featured it in my most recent meal plan on my blog http://rainbowdelicious.com/meal-plan-summer-week-10/. I look forward to trying out more of your recipes in the future!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Incredible! This has got to be the perfect salad 🙂 full of all of my favorites!
Valerie says
Oh, I had a salad like this before and loved it. I love the colorful, fresh crisp.