The Delicious New Way to Eat Avocado (That Doesn't Involve Toast)

Sara Haas R.D.N., L.D.N.

Simply smashed and paired with a piece of toast, avocados have risen to rock-star status recently. Yes, avocado toast is awesome, but that's just a taste of the amazing avocado's versatility. Enter the grilled avocado. Haven't tried it yet? Fire up the grill because you're going to love this. (P.S. Have you tried these 10 Savory Avocado Recipes That Aren't Guacamole?)

How to make a grilled avocado

Heat your grill (or grill pan) to medium. Wash an avocado then slice it in half and remove the seed. Lightly brush the cut surface with olive oil or vegetable oil, and grill for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat, and sprinkle with Kosher salt and squeeze of lime juice.

Want those fancy cross-hatch grill marks? They're easy. Halfway through the cooking process, give your avocados a fourth of a turn and finish cooking. Now that you have the basic (yet so delicious) idea of grilling an avocado down pat, learn three tasty ways to use them.

Southwest-Stuffed Grilled Avocados

Leave them in their skin. The avocado halves make the perfect clean-up friendly bowl.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 avocado (two halves, grilled)

1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

1/2 teaspoon chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce

1 teaspoon lime juice

1 radish, chopped

1/4 cup cooked black beans

1 tablespoon corn (canned of thawed, frozen)

Directions:

1. Scoop out 1 tablespoon from the center of each grilled avocado half and mash with Greek yogurt, chipotle pepper, and lime juice.

2. Toss mixture with radish, 1/4 cup black beans, and corn.

3. Serve by filling grilled avocado halves with the Southwest mixture.

Grilled Avo-Taco

Turn it into a taco. The grilled avocado is the star accented by simple, good ingredients.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 avocado (two halves, grilled)

1/2 grilled jalapeno, skin removed

1 cup frisee or Romaine lettuce

1/2 cup tomato salsa

2 tablespoons pepitas

4 corn tortilla, warmed

Directions:

1. Grill the whole jalapeno while you grill avocado, rotating occasionally. Peel and remove the grilled jalapeno's skin. Scoop out grilled avocado flesh from its skin.

2. Thinly slice jalapeno, and chop frisee or romaine lettuce. Stuff grilled avocado flesh, jalapeno, lettuce, salsa, and pepitas into tortillas.

Chopped Grilled Avocado Salad

Grilled avocado adds an earthiness to any boring salad.

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

1 avocado (two halves, grilled)

2 cups endive, chopped

2 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 pound grilled shrimp

1 cup grapefruit sections, chopped

2 tablespoons grapefruit juice

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 teaspoon olive oil

Kosher salt

Directions:

1. Removed grilled avocado from its skin and chop.

2. Combine endive and Romaine lettuce in a bowl with grapefruit and cilantro. Top salad with grilled shrimp.

3. Toss with grapefruit juice, lime juice, olive oil, and a dash of Kosher salt.