If you’re craving something fresh, vibrant, and incredibly nourishing, this Easy Avocado Salad Recipe is your new best friend. Combining creamy avocados with crisp cucumber and tangy cherry tomatoes, this salad bursts with textures and flavors that feel like a celebration in every bite. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or as a colorful side dish that brightens any meal. Plus, the simple, wholesome ingredients come together in just 10 minutes, making it a go-to recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Avocado Salad Recipe calls for a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in delivering that perfect balance of freshness, creaminess, and zest. These essentials are easy to find and work together beautifully to create a colorful, flavorful dish that feels both nutritious and indulgent.
- Avocados: Ripe and creamy, they provide the luscious base and rich texture that defines the salad.
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, these add a burst of vibrant color and brightness.
- Cucumber: Crisp and refreshing, cucumber brings a cool crunch that contrasts wonderfully with creamy avocado.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced to add a mild, tasty bite without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Cilantro: Fresh and fragrant, cilantro ties the flavors together with its herbaceous lift.
- Olive oil: A drizzle of quality olive oil adds silkiness and depth.
- White wine vinegar: Or red wine vinegar, to introduce a tangy note that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for acidity and brightness, balancing the richness of the avocado.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps everything balanced.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle peppery kick to finish the salad perfectly.
How to Make Easy Avocado Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by peeling, pitting, and dicing your avocados into creamy chunks that will melt in your mouth. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half to release their juicy sweetness, chop the cucumber into bite-sized pieces for refreshing crunch, thinly slice the red onion for a touch of savory sharpness, and chop the cilantro finely for that aromatic burst of green freshness.
Step 2: Combine Everything in a Large Bowl
Place all your prepped ingredients into a spacious bowl, making sure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. This is where the magic happens as all those individual flavors start to come together.
Step 3: Dress the Salad
Drizzle the olive oil and vinegar over the bowl, squeeze in that fresh lemon juice, then sprinkle in your salt and pepper to taste. These simple dressings are what pull the whole salad into perfect harmony, enhancing each element without overpowering.
Step 4: Gently Toss and Serve
Using a spoon or salad tongs, gently toss everything just until combined—too rough and you risk mashing the avocados. This delicate mixing keeps the textures distinct and the salad looking as vibrant as it tastes. Serve immediately for the freshest experience.
How to Serve Easy Avocado Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For that extra pop, consider sprinkling toasted pepitas, crumbled feta, or a few chili flakes over the top. These add texture and a burst of additional flavor that can take this salad from simple to spectacular.
Side Dishes
This salad makes a fantastic accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish, or even tacos. Its lightness and brightness balance heartier mains beautifully, adding a fresh contrast that lifts the entire meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Easy Avocado Salad Recipe inside hollowed-out avocados or on a bed of mixed greens for a fun presentation. You can also use it as a topping for toasted bread slices or crackers, turning it into a delightful appetizer that will wow guests and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. To keep the avocado from browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the salad’s surface or add a little extra lemon juice before sealing.
Freezing
Because of the creamy texture that avocados have, this salad is not ideal for freezing—it tends to become mushy and lose its fresh character.
Reheating
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and cold. Reheating is not recommended as it will alter the texture and flavor of the avocado and fresh vegetables.
FAQs
Can I substitute other herbs for cilantro in this Easy Avocado Salad Recipe?
Absolutely! If cilantro isn’t your favorite, fresh parsley or basil can provide a lovely aromatic alternative. Each herb will bring its own unique twist to the salad’s flavor profile.
How do I know when my avocados are ripe for this salad?
A ripe avocado should yield slightly to gentle pressure without feeling mushy. The skin is usually darker and slightly wrinkled, indicating it’s ready to be diced into this delightful salad.
Can I add protein to this salad to make it more filling?
Yes! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas can be excellent additions to turn this salad into a full meal while complementing the existing flavors.
What vinegar works best in this salad?
Both white wine vinegar and red wine vinegar work wonderfully here. White wine vinegar keeps the flavor light and bright, while red wine vinegar adds a slightly richer tang.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
You can prepare some ingredients ahead of time, but it’s best to assemble and dress the salad just before eating to preserve the fresh textures and flavors found in this Easy Avocado Salad Recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a salad that combines such simple and fresh ingredients with ease and grace. I encourage you to give this Easy Avocado Salad Recipe a try soon—you’ll love how effortlessly it brightens your table and delights your taste buds. It’s a fresh, healthy celebration in a bowl that you’ll keep coming back to time and again.
PrintEasy Avocado Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Easy Avocado Salad that blends creamy avocados with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect as a quick, healthy side dish or light meal, it’s ready in just 10 minutes and packed with wholesome ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- ½ lemon, juiced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro into a large mixing bowl.
- Add Dressing: Pour in the olive oil, white wine vinegar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the ingredients. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss Gently: Carefully toss all the ingredients together to coat everything evenly with the dressing, ensuring the avocado pieces remain mostly intact.
- Serve Immediately: Once combined, serve the salad right away to enjoy the fresh textures and flavors at their peak.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm avocados to prevent mushiness in the salad.
- If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate, but note the avocado may brown after a short time.
- You can substitute cilantro with fresh parsley or basil if preferred.
- For added crunch, sprinkle toasted nuts or seeds on top before serving.
