There's something magical about a perfectly ripe avocado that just melts in your mouth. This refreshing Avocado Salad became my go-to when I needed something light yet satisfying after those heavy family dinners.
The combination of creamy avocado with crisp cucumber creates the perfect balance that even my picky eaters can't resist. It's fresh, healthy, and comes together in just minutes using simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Why You'll Love This Cucumber Avocado Salad
This simple avocado salad hits all the right notes for busy families like mine. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with the refreshing crunch of cucumber, while the zesty lime dressing brings everything together perfectly. My sister always asks for the recipe when I bring it to family gatherings because it's so light and flavorful.
It's naturally vegan, takes less than 10 minutes to make, and works as a side dish or light lunch. Plus, the vibrant colors make it Instagram-worthy every single time, and the healthy fats from avocado keep you satisfied without feeling heavy.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Cucumber Avocado Salad
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Avocado Salad
- Aliana's Pro Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Avocado Salad
- FAQs About Avocado Salad
- More Delicious Ideas You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Fresh Avocado Salad in 10 Minutes
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
You'll love how simple this ingredient list is! Everything comes together with basic pantry staples and fresh produce that you can find at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of each ingredient shining through.
Main Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados, cut into quarters then sliced
- 3 medium cucumbers, sliced into thin rounds
- ¼ red onion, finely sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped (recommended)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped (recommended)
Dressing Essentials
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or lemon juice)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Feel free to swap the herbs based on what you have fresh basil or parsley work wonderfully too.
This avocado salad is super easy and the full steps are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Avocado Salad
Prep Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by washing and drying your cucumbers thoroughly. Cut them into thin, even rounds for the best texture contrast with the creamy avocado. Slice your red onion as thinly as possible to avoid overpowering the delicate flavors.
Create the Perfect Avocado Slices
Cut each avocado in half, remove the pit, and slice into quarters. Then cut each quarter into neat slices about 1 cm thick. This size holds together beautifully when tossed gently with the other ingredients.
Mix the Zesty Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust the lime juice to your preference some like it more tangy than others.
Why does my avocado salad get watery? This happens when the avocados are overripe or the salad sits too long. Use perfectly ripe but firm avocados, and dress the salad just before serving to maintain the best texture.
Combine and Toss Gently
Add all the prepared salad ingredients to a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over everything, then use your hands to toss very gently. This prevents the avocado from getting mushy while ensuring every bite is perfectly coated.
Aliana's Pro Tip
- The secret to perfect avocado salad is timing and technique.
- I always make the dressing first and let it sit while I prep the vegetables this allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- When tossing, use your hands instead of utensils to avoid bruising the avocado.
- My mom taught me this trick, and it makes all the difference in keeping those beautiful avocado slices intact.
- Also, taste as you go lime juice can vary in tartness, so adjust until it makes your taste buds happy.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Transform this basic recipe into your own signature dish! Replace cilantro with fresh mint for a Mediterranean twist, or add crumbled feta cheese for extra richness. Cherry tomatoes make a colorful addition, while toasted pine nuts add wonderful crunch. For a heartier version, toss in some cooked shrimp or grilled chicken to make it a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
This fresh salad is best enjoyed immediately, but you can prep components ahead. Store cut vegetables separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. Only slice avocados and add dressing right before serving to prevent browning. If you must store leftovers, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and use within 24 hours for best quality.
What to Serve With Avocado Salad
This versatile dish pairs beautifully with grilled fish, roasted chicken, or barbecue favorites. My family loves it alongside tacos, burgers, or as a light lunch with crusty bread. It also makes a perfect side for Mediterranean dishes or summer picnics. The fresh flavors complement almost any protein, making it my go-to when I need something healthy and crowd-pleasing.
FAQs About Avocado Salad
What goes into an avocado salad?
The basic foundation includes ripe avocados, cucumber, red onion, fresh herbs, and a simple lime vinaigrette. You can customize with additional vegetables, proteins, or different herbs based on your preferences.
What goes with avocado in a salad?
Avocado pairs wonderfully with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, and fresh herbs like cilantro or dill. Citrus-based dressings complement the creamy texture perfectly.
What is the best thing to mix with avocado?
Lime juice is essential to prevent browning and add brightness. Cucumber provides the perfect textural contrast, while red onion adds a gentle bite that balances the rich avocado flavor.
What is Japanese avocado salad?
Japanese avocado salad typically features avocado with cucumber, sometimes seaweed, and is dressed with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil instead of lime juice and olive oil.
More Delicious Ideas You'll Love
If you're looking for avocado salad recipes easy enough for weeknight Dinners, these favorites never fail to impress:
Cowboy Caviar Recipe - Fresh corn, black beans, and avocado with a zesty lime kick Sheet Pan Fajitas Chicken - One pan wonder with colorful peppers and tender chicken
Pesto Pasta Salad - Creamy pesto meets fresh vegetables in this crowd-pleasing side
Want more healthy dinner recipes? These garlic butter steak bites are bold, satisfying, and always a hit.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes, I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Avocado Salad Recipe:
Fresh Avocado Salad in 10 Minutes
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl For combining all salad ingredients
- 1 Sharp knife To slice avocados and cucumbers
- 1 Cutting board For safe prep work
- 1 Small whisk To mix the lime dressing
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados - cut into quarters then sliced
- 3 medium cucumbers - sliced into thin rounds
- ¼ red onion - finely sliced
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill - finely chopped, optional
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro - roughly chopped, optional
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - for dressing
- 3 tablespoon fresh lime juice - or lemon juice, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry cucumbers thoroughly. Cut into thin, even rounds for perfect texture contrast. Slice red onion as thinly as possible to avoid overpowering delicate flavors.
- Cut each avocado in half, remove pit, and slice into quarters. Cut each quarter into neat 1cm slices that hold together beautifully when tossed.
- In small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust lime juice to your preference.
- Add all prepared salad ingredients to large bowl. Drizzle dressing over everything, then use hands to toss very gently, preventing avocado from getting mushy.
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