This Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad is my go-to whenever I crave something crisp, creamy, and beautifully refreshing. With vibrant avocados and juicy cucumbers tossed in a lively citrus dressing, every bite bursts with flavor and crunch—a salad that’s equally at home next to your dinner mains or all on its own!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fresh & Vibrant: Each ingredient brings a pop of color and a burst of flavor, making every forkful come alive.
- Quick & Fuss-Free: From start to finish, you’ll have this Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad on the table in just ten minutes. No cooking, no hassle!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and zippy citrus dressing make it a favorite for potlucks or dinner parties—no leftovers in sight.
- Naturally Wholesome: With a short list of fresh, real ingredients, every bite tastes light and nourishing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad is how each simple ingredient takes the stage—there’s nothing here you can’t find on a quick market run, but every piece contributes essential flavor, texture, or brightness. Here’s what brings this salad to life:
- Ripe Avocados: For that irresistible creaminess—choose avocados that yield slightly when pressed but aren’t mushy.
- Cucumbers: Crisp, juicy cucumbers add refreshing crunch; use regular, telegraph, or English cucumbers for best results.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion delivers a gentle bite and a pop of color.
- Fresh Dill: Chopped dill offers delicate, grassy notes and fragrant aroma—optional, but highly recommended!
- Fresh Coriander (Cilantro): A handful of chopped cilantro brightens up the salad and pairs beautifully with the lime—feel free to swap in parsley or add extra dill if you’re not a fan.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base of the zesty dressing, lending silkiness and depth to every bite.
- Lime Juice (or Lemon Juice): A burst of citrus brings the whole salad together; adjust the amount to match your zesty cravings.
- Chili Flakes: Red pepper flakes add a subtle warmth without overwhelming the freshness.
- Black Pepper: Cracked black pepper enhances the salad’s brightness.
- Kosher Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of salt to make those flavors shine.
Variations
There are so many ways to adapt this Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad to your tastes or whatever you’ve got on hand. Get creative—it’s almost impossible to go wrong with these core flavors, and substitutions are a breeze for dietary needs or seasonal produce.
- Herb Swap: No dill or cilantro? Try fresh parsley, basil, or even mint for an utterly different—but still delicious—twist.
- Add Protein: Toss in chickpeas, grilled chicken, or shrimp to make a heartier meal out of the salad.
- Cheese Boost: Sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese for a creamy, tangy contrast (highly recommended if you love Mediterranean flavors).
- Extra Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, radishes, or even a handful of sweet corn kernels add more brightness and crunch.
How to Make Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad
Step 1: Prep the Vegetables
Start by slicing your avocados into quarters, then into neat 1 cm slices. Cut your cucumbers into thin, even rounds (about 4mm thick), and finely slice that beautiful red onion. If you’re using fresh dill or cilantro, chop those herbs now—the aroma alone is worth it!
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl (or right over the salad for fewer dishes!), whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the citrus and seasoning to taste—don’t be shy with the lime if you like your Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad extra bright.
Step 3: Toss Everything Together
Add all your prepped veggies and herbs to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle in the dressing, then—using your hands or a big spoon—toss gently to coat, taking care to keep those avocado slices intact. Taste, add more lime if you wish, and marvel as those flavors meld into a salad worth swooning over!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Tumble the finished Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad into your favorite serving bowl and bring it straight to the table. It’s best enjoyed immediately, but if you’re making it ahead by a short bit, cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to dig in.
Pro Tips for Making Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad
- Avocado Selection: Pick avocados that yield slightly under gentle pressure—this way, they’ll slice beautifully and hold their shape in the salad.
- Gentle Tossing: Always toss the salad with your hands or a big spoon, lifting and folding to avoid mashing the avocado while still distributing the dressing evenly.
- Chill for Extra Crispness: If you’d like an ultra-refreshing salad, chill your chopped veggies in the fridge for 20 minutes before assembling.
- Flavor to Taste: Feel free to add extra lime juice, salt, or chili flakes right at the end—your taste buds are the boss here!
How to Serve Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, sprinkle your Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad with a few more chopped herbs, an extra pinch of chili flakes, or a scattering of toasted seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower). These simple touches make it as pretty as it is delicious!
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with almost anything thrown on the grill—think grilled chicken, fish, or even a juicy steak. It’s also right at home beside sandwiches, wraps, or as a vibrant contrast to hearty grain bowls.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon the salad into little jars or cocktail glasses for a party-friendly starter, or mound it onto a large platter for a family-style centerpiece. I also love packing it into lettuce cups for crunchy, hand-held bites at summertime picnics!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. The citrus keeps the avocados green until the next day—just give it a gentle toss before serving again.
Freezing
This salad isn’t suited for freezing—the avocados and cucumbers lose their lovely texture. It’s best to enjoy it fresh within a day for the optimal crunch and creaminess.
Reheating
Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature. There’s no need to reheat—just bring it out of the fridge, give it a gentle toss, and serve!
FAQs
-
Can I make Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! While the salad is at its crispest right after making, you can prep all the ingredients (except avocado) a few hours in advance and store them in the fridge. Slice the avocado and toss everything together just before serving for best texture and color.
-
What can I use instead of dill or coriander?
If you’re not a fan of these herbs or don’t have any on hand, parsley, basil, or fresh mint work beautifully. You can also skip the herbs altogether for a more minimalist take.
-
How do I keep the avocado from browning?
Lime or lemon juice in the dressing naturally prevents avocado from browning, so be sure to toss the salad soon after slicing to keep it bright and appetizing.
-
Can I add more veggies or proteins to Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad?
Yes! This salad is a wonderful base for additions like tomatoes, beans, grilled shrimp, or even crumbled cheese. Let your fridge and cravings inspire you!
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Zesty Avocado Cucumber Salad, it’ll find a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. With its mix of creamy, crisp, and punchy flavors, it’s a salad that brings sunshine to every table—give it a go, and you’ll want to share it with everyone you know!
Print
Lime-Kissed Avocado Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing avocado salad is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines creamy avocados, crisp cucumbers, and zesty dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 big ripe avocados, cut into quarters then 1 cm / 0.4″ slices
- 3 cucumbers ~17cm/7″ long, sliced into 4mm / 1/6″ rounds (Note 1)
- 1/4 red onion, finely sliced
- 2 tbsp dill, finely chopped, optional recommended (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp coriander/cilantro leaves, roughly chopped, optional recommended (Note 2)
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice, or lemon juice (or more, adjust to taste!)
- 1/4 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp cooking / kosher salt
Instructions
- Put all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle over lime juice and oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red chilli flakes.
- Toss gently using your hands, gently separating the avocado slices as you go. Taste and add more lime if desired.
- Tumble into a bowl and serve!
Notes
- Cucumbers – If using the long telegraph / English cucumbers ~30cm/12″ long, use 1 1/2.
- Fresh herbs – Fresh dill and coriander add a lovely fresh herbiness but can be substituted or omitted.
- Leftovers will keep until the next day, but it’s best made fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
