Oh, when that summer sun starts beating down, there’s nothing I crave more than something cool, crisp, and ridiculously easy to whip up. And let me tell you, this Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad Recipe For Summer Bliss is my absolute go-to! It’s like a little slice of heaven in a bowl, packed with simple, healthy ingredients that just scream summer. I remember one scorching afternoon last July, the kind where the air just hangs heavy, and I was completely ZAPPED. All I wanted was something light but satisfying, and this salad was an instant lifesaver. It’s just so bright and wonderfully good for you!
Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad Recipe
This salad is an absolute winner for so many reasons, trust me! It’s:
- Super Speedy: Seriously, you can have this ready in about 10 minutes flat. Perfect for those days when you need food NOW!
- Packed with Goodness: Fresh cucumber, creamy avocado, zesty lime – it’s a seriously healthy combo that makes you feel great.
- Bursting with Flavor: The simple lime dressing brings out the best in the cool cucumber and rich avocado. It’s just so vibrant!
- Your Summer Best Friend: It’s the ultimate cooling side dish for barbecues, picnics, or just a light lunch on a hot day. Pure summer bliss!
Ingredients for Your Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad
Okay, so you won’t believe how few things you need for this amazing salad! It’s all about fresh, simple stuff. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
- 1 big cucumber, you know, the one that feels firm and fresh – diced up!
- 1 perfectly ripe avocado, nice and creamy inside – diced too. (Make sure it gives just a little when you gently press it!)
- About a quarter of a red onion, sliced super thin. This gives it just a little bite.
- A good couple of tablespoons of fresh cilantro, all chopped up. It adds this amazing freshness!
- 2 tablespoons of zippy lime juice – fresh is always best here.
- 1 tablespoon of good quality olive oil.
- Salt, just however much you like to make everything taste amazing.
- And a little grind of black pepper.
How to Prepare the Perfect Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad
Alright, getting this Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad ready is honestly the easiest part of your summer meal prep. It’s so straightforward, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t make it sooner! Just follow these super simple steps, and you’ll have a bowl full of cooling goodness in no time.
Combining the Fresh Ingredients
First things first, get yourself a nice medium-sized bowl. Gently add your diced cucumber, the creamy diced avocado, and those thin slices of red onion. Give it just a little nudge with your spoon to mix them up a bit – you want to be super careful not to mash up that lovely avocado!
Crafting the Simple Lime Dressing
Now for the magic touch! Grab a tiny little bowl, or even a sturdy mug works. Pour in your zippy lime juice and your good olive oil. Just give them a quick little whisk with a fork until they start to come together. That’s it! So simple, right?
Bringing It All Together
Pour that beautiful lime dressing right over all those gorgeous ingredients in your big bowl. Now, we’re going to gently toss everything together again. Make sure every bit gets coated with that dressing. This is where you taste it! Add a pinch of salt and pepper, stir gently, and taste again. Does it need a tiny bit more lime? A touch more salt? You’re the boss here!
Chilling for Maximum Refreshment
This little step makes ALL the difference! Once it’s all tossed and seasoned perfectly, cover that bowl. Pop it into the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Trust me, letting it chill makes all those flavors meld and gives it that extra cooling power. It really takes it from great to absolutely perfect, just like my refreshing avocado tuna salad.
Tips for the Best Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad
You know, even with a super simple recipe like this, a few little tricks can make it absolutely sing! It’s all about the little things—like picking the perfect avocado or knowing when to add that onion.
First off, pick your ingredients wisely! For the cucumber, I always go for the ones that feel firm and have a nice dark green skin, no mushy spots allowed! And for the avocado? Oh boy, this is key. It should give just a little bit when you gently squeeze it, but not be *too* soft. If it’s too hard, it won’t be creamy, and if it’s too soft, well, it turns into mush when you toss. My personal go-to is to slice my cucumber and avocado just before I’m ready to mix everything. That way, they stay super fresh and vibrant! It’s kind of like how you want your cucumber snack to be perfectly crisp!
If you’re not a fan of raw onion, or you find it a bit too sharp, try soaking those thin slices in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding them. It mellows out that bite beautifully. And don’t be afraid to play around with the herbs! If cilantro isn’t your jam, a little fresh dill or even some mint can be wonderfully refreshing, kind of like in my cucumber lemonade. For an extra pop, sometimes I’ll even add a few cherry tomatoes, halved, or some bell peppers. It’s your salad, make it yours!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
For this super simple salad, the ingredients are pretty straightforward, but a few little notes can make a big difference! The cilantro adds this amazing zing, but if it’s not your favorite, you can totally swap it out. Fresh parsley works really well, or even a bit of fresh mint would be lovely and extra cooling. As for the red onion, slicing it super thin is key so you don’t get a big onion-y bite. If you find raw onion a bit too strong, soaking those thin slices in ice water for about 10 minutes before adding them can really mellow its flavor. Easy peasy!
Serving Suggestions for Your Summer Salad
This refreshing cucumber avocado salad is seriously the ultimate sidekick for all your summer meals! It’s just perfect alongside grilled chicken or fish, or maybe some juicy burgers hot off the grill. It’s also amazing at picnics and barbecues, adding a much-needed element of cool. Honestly, it’s so good you could serve it with anything! It even makes a lighter, brighter pairing for your summer fruit salad or a zesty watermelon feta salad.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cucumber Avocado Salad
Got questions about this super simple, delicious salad? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Well, you *can*, but avocado tends to brown once it’s out in the air. To keep it looking its best, I’d say add the avocado right before serving. The cucumbers and onions are fine mixed ahead!
What other vegetables pair well with cucumber and avocado?
Oh, so many things! Try adding some sweet corn, diced bell peppers (especially red or yellow for color!), or even some jicama for crunch. A little bit of cherry tomatoes, quartered, is also pretty delightful.
How long does this salad last in the refrigerator?
Honestly, it’s best when it’s fresh. If you do make it ahead (minus the avocado!), it’ll probably be good for about a day, but it definitely tastes best within a few hours.
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this super refreshing salad is approximate, you know? It can totally change depending on the exact size of your avocado, how much olive oil you use, and even the kind of cucumber! But generally, a serving comes in around 150 calories, with about 12g of fat, 10g of carbs, and a couple of grams of protein. It’s a pretty light and lovely choice for your summer eats!
Print
Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light and cooling salad perfect for summer meals.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine diced cucumber, diced avocado, and sliced red onion in a medium bowl.
- Add chopped cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice and olive oil.
- Pour dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Gently toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Chill for 15 minutes before serving for an extra refreshing taste.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cucumber avocado salad, summer salad, refreshing salad, easy salad, healthy salad, no cook salad, vegetarian salad