Your Go-To Summer Salad: Easy & Fresh Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

Craving a refreshing, vibrant dish that comes together in minutes? Look no further! This Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is a sun-kissed bowl of pure deliciousness, perfect for light lunches, easy dinners, or bringing to your next potluck.

It’s based on a classic family-favorite cucumber and tomato salad, elevated with creamy avocado, a bright lemon dressing, and a burst of fresh cilantro. The result? An easy, excellent salad that you’ll want to make all summer long, especially when those homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers are ripe and ready!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just another salad; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a summer staple waiting to happen! Here’s why you’ll fall in love:

• Simply Speedy: With just 15 minutes of prep, you can have this vibrant salad on the table in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Bursting with Freshness: Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, zesty lemon, and fragrant cilantro create a symphony of fresh, clean flavors.
• Family Approved: This salad is a proven hit! It’s been a family favorite for years, and adding avocado only made it better.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and healthy fats, this salad is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and fits beautifully into almost any healthy eating plan.
• Summer Perfection: It’s the ultimate showcase for peak summer produce, especially when made with sweet, ripe garden tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers.

Ingredients

Gather these simple, fresh ingredients to create your delicious salad:

• 1 lb Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 English cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (see note below for substitution)
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
• 1 tsp sea salt (or 3/4 tsp table salt)
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this salad couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Combine the Veggies: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro.
2. Add the Dressing: Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice over the ingredients in the bowl.
3. Toss & Season: Gently toss everything together to combine the ingredients with the dressing. Just before serving, sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper over the salad and toss once more.

That’s it! Your vibrant, flavorful salad is ready to enjoy.

You Must Know

Keep these key points in mind for the best possible salad experience:

• Cilantro Haters Rejoice: If cilantro isn’t your favorite herb, don’t worry! Fresh dill is an excellent substitute that pairs wonderfully with the cucumber and tomato.
• Salt Last, Always: Adding salt just before serving is crucial. Salt draws water out of vegetables, especially tomatoes and cucumbers. Adding it too early can make your salad watery and less appealing.
• Quality Counts: Using ripe, flavorful tomatoes and cucumbers, a good quality extra virgin olive oil, and freshly squeezed lemon juice will make a significant difference in the taste of your salad.
• Gentle Touch: Avocados are delicate. Toss the salad gently to avoid mashing the avocado pieces.

Make Ahead and Storage

This salad is truly best when assembled and served fresh, ideally within an hour or two.

• Making Ahead: If you need to prep ahead, chop the tomatoes, cucumber, and cilantro, and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator. Do not add the avocado, red onion, dressing, salt, or pepper until just before you are ready to serve.
• Storage: Once dressed and salted, the salad doesn’t store well. The vegetables will release water, and the avocado can become mushy and discolor. If you have leftovers, they will keep in the fridge for a day, but the texture won’t be ideal. It’s highly recommended to make only what you plan to eat!

Seasonal Variations

While delicious year-round, this salad shines with summer produce. Feel free to customize it based on what’s fresh and in season:

• Add Veggies: Introduce chopped bell peppers (any color), sweet corn (fresh or lightly blanched), or thinly sliced radishes for extra crunch.
• Swap Herbs: Experiment with other fresh herbs like mint, basil, or parsley alongside or instead of cilantro/dill.
• Tomato Power: Use a mix of colorful cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes for a stunning visual and flavor variety.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile salad pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, making it perfect for a simple meal or a summer feast:

• Grilled Proteins: It’s the ultimate companion to grilled chicken, fish, shrimp skewers (like the original post suggests!), or steak.
• Roasted Sides: Serve it alongside roasted potatoes or other root vegetables.
• BBQ & Picnics: A refreshing side dish for burgers, hot dogs, or BBQ ribs.
• Light Meal: Enjoy a generous bowl on its own for a healthy, satisfying lunch.
• With Crusty Bread: Use fresh bread to soak up the delicious juices and dressing!

Perfect No-Cook Side Dish

Looking for components for a quick, no-fuss summer meal that requires zero oven time? This Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is your answer! As a naturally no-bake, no-cook recipe, it provides a cool, fresh element that perfectly complements other simple dishes like cold cuts, cheeses, pre-cooked grains, or store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s the ideal way to add vibrant flavor and nutrients without heating up your kitchen.

Pro Tips

Elevate your salad game with these simple tricks:

• Choose Wisely: Select ripe but firm avocados – they should yield gently to pressure.
• Cold is Key: Chill your cucumbers and tomatoes in the refrigerator before prepping for an extra refreshing salad.
• Red Onion Mellowing: If you find raw red onion too strong, slice it thinly and soak it in a bowl of ice water for 10-15 minutes before adding to the salad. Drain thoroughly.
• Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice before serving. Sometimes, veggies need a little extra salt to truly sing!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this salad ahead of time? As mentioned above, it’s best fresh. You can prep the components (except avocado and red onion if sensitive) and store them separately, but dress and season just before serving.
• What if I don’t like cilantro? Fresh dill is the recommended substitute.
• Is this salad spicy? No, the base recipe is not spicy.
• Is this suitable for special diets? Yes, it is naturally vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and fits many low-carb or healthy eating plans.
• Why did my salad get watery? This usually happens if the salt was added too early, drawing moisture out of the vegetables. Remember to add salt right before serving!

This easy and delicious Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Give it a try and see why it’s a family favorite!

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