This easy avocado salad combines creamy avocado with ripe tomatoes, red onions and a zesty lime dressing. It’s the perfect healthy side dish.

Let me start by saying that I love love love avocado and could an avocado every day if I had access to an avocado tree. Because let’s be honest, avocados aren’t cheap and most of the time my kids eat all the avocado in the house before I get a chance to have any.

While I love a good avocado toast for breakfast, I also love the simplicity of an avocado salad.

It’s almost like deconstructed guacamole.

Avocado Salad Ingredients

This salad has similar ingredients to what you’d find in traditional guacamole, but we’re keeping everything in large chunks instead of mashing it all together so it’s easier to eat with a fork and feels more like a traditional salad than a dip. Many avocado salads also call for cucumber to add a little crunch so feel free to add that in if desired.

• avocados – look for avocados that give slightly when you press on the flesh. If they’re too firm that means they aren’t ripe yet!
• cilantro – the perfect herb accompaniment to avocados and a key ingredient in this salad. You could also use parsley if you want to switch up the flavor profile.
• red onion – adds a little zest , crunch and a ton of flavor to the salad. If raw red onion feels too pungent you can soak the onion slices in bowl of ice cold water for a 10-15 minutes before using. After soaking, just drain and use! This will mellow out the flavor a bit.
• roma tomatoes – I love the slight sweetness and burst of texture these juicy tomatoes add to the salad. If you don’t have access to roma tomatoes, go for cherry or grape tomatoes. They’re small and have so much flavor.
• lime dressing – a simple combination of olive oil, lime juice, maple syrup, garlic and salt. It’s sooo good! If you’re feeling like you want something different. Try this same dressing with lemon juice instead of lime!

Don’t Skip the Lime Dressing

I must say… the lime dressing totally makes this salad! It adds the citrus, salty component that all good guacamole has and makes the salad insanely delicious.

As for the herbs in this salad. I recommend using fresh cilantro but you can always switch things up and add parsley or even dill and/or basil.

How to Serve

This salad is great as a healthy appetizer or side dish with a Mexican-themed meal.  It can also work as a healthy lunch/dinner entrée when paired with a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu or tempeh. It would be delicious served with my chicken enchiladas or these sheet pan shrimp fajitas.

What Pairs Well with Avocado Salad

Here are my favorite pairings for this avocado salad:

• Apple Cider Vinegar Chicken – my go-to grilled chicken recipe.
• Asian Tofu Tacos – avocado salad pairs well with just about any taco recipe!
• Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole – the hearty casserole would pair perfectly with this refreshing salad!
• Taco Zucchini Boats – eat even more veggies by pairing these zucchini boats with this avocado salad.
• Tempeh Taco Salad Meal Prep Bowls – skip half the prep of this bowl and just serve the tempeh taco “meat” with this salad instead!

More Healthy Salads to Try

• Southwestern Quinoa Salad
• Hearts of Palm Salad with Shrimp and Avocado
• Healthy Taco Salad
• Avocado Corn Salad
• Easy Spinach Salad

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• Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole
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