This Cucumber Avocado Salad is so refreshing on a hot day. Cool, creamy, and tangy with the richness of avocado paired with the crunch of cucumber. Just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep! Salad perfection!
On hot days we default to cold side dishes like my Zucchini Salad, Carrot and Cucumber Salad, and Cauliflower Salad. But we are always happy to add some new choices to our summer side repertoire. This Cucumber Avocado Salad was a winner and will be made frequently! Feel free to change it up and add some tomatoes, chopped romaine, or crumbled cheese.
How to tell if avocados are ripe
Avocados can be tricky. They seem to go from unripe to overripe in minutes. It's almost impossible to find a perfectly ripe avocado in a grocery store so they are normally sold unripe. And then you have to be patient and wait a few days for them to ripen. I feel my avocados to tell if they are ripe. They need to be slightly soft all over.
The most important part of being able to tell if avocados are ripe is knowing if they are half ripe or all ripe. I've cut open many an avocado to see that only half of it is actually ripe. That's why I press it gently on the top, bottom, and all sides. When all of those yield a tiny bit to gentle pressure it is ready. If you aren't going to eat it that day put it in the refrigerator to keep it longer.
How to cut an avocado
To cut an avocado I run the knife around the pit of the avocado and then spin it. If it is ripe (see above on how to tell if avocados are ripe) it should spin easily and release to look like the above picture.
Next is the tricky part. Do not hold it in your hand and attend to poke the point of the knife into the pit. No no no. I've read many tales of people ending up in the er when the knife slips. Instead, put it down on the cutting board and swing the knife down so the flat side goes into the pit. If your knife is sharp this should happen easily. Then spin the avocado to release the pit. Or you can point the tip of the tip down to piece the avocado (just not while holding it, please).
Dressing for Avocado Salad
I kept this simple and just used olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper for this Cucumber Avocado Salad. That is really all you need to bring out the flavors in this simple side dish.
How to Make Cucumber Avocado Salad
This easy 5 ingredient recipe comes together in just 5 minutes. Cut and cube the cucumber, remove the skin and pit from the avocado and cube that, and then add the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Can I add Tomatoes, Cheese, Lettuce, Scallions, Peppers, Onions, etc?
Absolutely. Go ahead and add some of your other favorite ingredients. All of the above would taste great in this cucumber salad.
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Ingredients
- 1-2 avocados chopped ***
- 1 cucumber chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- cilantro is an optional topping
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to coat and mash up the avocados a bit.
- If not serving all at once, skip the salt and salt each individual serving to prevent the cucumbers from releasing their water. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Julie Wood says
Could you tell me please if your carbohydrate count is total or net carbs
Thank you
Taryn says
10 total carbs minus 7 fiber equals 3 net carbs.
Penny says
I added some halved cherry tomatoes, delicious!
Samantha says
I love it!! I’m learning to eat the right way and I am a picky eater.
This recipe is delicious and I will make it again.
Mrs.T says
We enjoyed this alongside a Mexican dish for supper tonight. Scrumptious!
wilhelmina says
This fresh and yummy salad will be on repeat at my house all summer long!
Renee Goerger says
This may well be the salad I live on this summer. I'm kind of obsessed with it!