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I stumbled upon this creation quite by accident. Last summer, during a rather ambitious BBQ at my place, I’d bought way too many avocados. Like, a comically large amount. As the grill was cooling down, inspiration struck. I tossed a halved avocado on, just for kicks, and the magic happened. The gentle char, the softened flesh… it was a revelation. Paired with a simple black bean salsa, it’s now a go-to dish at any outdoor gathering. It's a conversation starter, a palate pleaser, and ridiculously simple to prepare. Plus, its vegan and gluten-free – which always gets bonus points in my book!
Now, I understand some of you may be a little hesitant about grilling avocados. I get it; it sounds a bit… out there. But trust me on this one. The heat enhances the creamy texture and imparts a subtle smoky flavor that complements the fresh, vibrant salsa perfectly. It’s the kind of dish that makes you say, "Wow, why haven't I tried this before?" And, honestly, that's the best part of cooking – those unexpected moments of culinary discovery. So, go ahead, embrace the unexpected. You might just find your new favorite appetizer.
Required Equipments
Grill
Medium Bowl
Knife
Cutting Board
Tongs
Grilled Avocado with Black Bean Salsa: A Taste of Summer: Frequently Asked Questions
Grilled Avocado with Black Bean Salsa: A Taste of Summer
Elevate your summer grilling with this Grilled Avocado recipe! Topped with a vibrant black bean salsa, it's a delightful combination of creamy, smoky, and zesty flavors that's surprisingly easy to make.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield:2 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
First things first, lets prepare the black bean salsa. In a medium bowl, combine one can (15 ounces) of black beans, rinsed and drained, with 1/2 cup of finely diced red onion. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Add 1/2 cup of corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed), 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro (more if you're a cilantro fiend, less if you think it tastes like soap – no judgement here!), and one jalapeño, seeded and minced. Seeding the jalapeño helps control the heat, but if you're feeling brave, leave some seeds in for an extra kick. My suggestion is to wear gloves!
Squeeze in the juice of one lime. The lime juice not only adds a zesty flavor but also helps to keep the avocado from browning later. Now, add a tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix everything together well. Set the salsa aside so the flavors can meld while you prep the avocados.
Now for the star of the show: the avocados. Choose ripe but firm avocados. You want them to yield slightly to pressure, but not be mushy. Halve the avocados lengthwise and remove the pits. Brush the cut sides lightly with olive oil. This prevents them from sticking to the grill grates.
Preheat your grill to medium heat, about 350-400°F (175-200°C). Make sure the grates are clean to avoid any unwanted flavors clinging to the avocado. Place the avocado halves cut-side down on the grill grates. Grill for 3-5 minutes, or until you see nice grill marks and the avocados are slightly softened.
Carefully remove the avocados from the grill. The inside will be hot, so use tongs or a spatula. Place the grilled avocado halves on a serving platter. Spoon a generous amount of the black bean salsa into the center of each avocado half.
Garnish with a sprinkle of extra cilantro, a drizzle of lime juice, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce (I’m partial to Cholula). Serve immediately and watch them disappear! Trust me, everyone will be asking for this recipe.
Pro Tip: If you don't have a grill, you can achieve a similar effect by using a grill pan on your stovetop or even broiling the avocado halves in the oven for a few minutes. Just keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
📝 Notes
Add a pinch of cumin to the salsa for a warmer flavor.
For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika in the salsa.